Carnival Cruise Lines Cell Phone Implementation Continues

LGC Wireless has announced that its InterReach Unison systems have been installed on three Carnival Cruise Lines ships as part of the line's fleetwide implementation of cell phone service. The installation is on schedule and will continue at a rate of three ships per month with all 21 ships in the Carnival fleet expected to be completed by early 2007.

Deployments are handled by Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) and have already been completed on the line's Carnival Conquest, Carnival Triumph, and Imagination.

"Cell phone service is just the latest convenient, high-tech service we're providing guests sailing aboard the 'Fun Ships.' Guest response to cell phone service has been exceptional on the three ships already equipped with the technology and we are looking forward to the fleetwide deployment early next year," said Bob Woodry, Carnival's vice president - hotel commerce. "WMS and LGC Wireless have given us a state-of-the-art solution that offers outstanding performance and convenience for our guests."

A joint venture of Cingular Wireless and Maritime Communications Network, WMS offers roaming coverage for most of the world's cellular providers. Carnival and WMS are now working on plans to upgrade the cellular systems to support higher-speed EV-DO services sometime next year.

"Cellular coverage at sea is a winning proposition for cruise line operators, wireless carriers, and cellular phone users," said John Spindler, vice president of marketing at LGC Wireless. "We are delighted to be providing this convenience for Carnival Cruise Lines passengers."

Posted to the site on 28th September 2006