Marlink Upgrades Global Maritime VSAT Service With iDirect

HERNDON, Va., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that Marlink, one of the largest maritime VSAT network operators, has upgraded its global service with the integration of iDirect's Evolution® X5 Satellite Router and latest operating software release, iDX 3.0. Vessels operating Marlink's WaveCall™ services have all received the required onboard equipment, enabling Marlink to increase reliability and bandwidth efficiency for core voice, email, Internet and remote business applications. Marlink's new service upgrade will benefit several maritime customer segments, including leisure, commercial transport, oil and gas, and commercial shipping vessels. iDirect is the world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

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Marlink's upgrade to Evolution hardware and software are a key element in addressing evolving customer requirements for increased bandwidth and more efficient solutions for core voice and data connectivity. WaveCall™ offers a high level VSAT communications service designed to support remote business solutions along with email, Internet, voice, news, and banking applications.  WaveCall™ is built on one of the most extensive global Ku-band networks providing coverage for leisure yachts and commercial vessels.

iDirect's Evolution product line enhances the efficiency and reliability of Marlink's satellite service. Evolution is based on DVB-S2 with Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM), which provides significant bandwidth efficiency gains over legacy systems. ACM helps Marlink ensure maximum service uptime for maritime vessels by automatically adjusting signal strength to overcome rain or solar fade outages. Additionally, iDirect's built-in Group Quality of Service features allow Marlink to efficiently control how it allocates and prioritizes shared bandwidth by market segment, customer group, and even application type.

"Competition in the maritime VSAT market has recently grown more intense, making it imperative for Marlink to differentiate its services and keep customers satisfied. Our three pillars of distinction are control, flexibility and support – iDirect's Evolution product line is an integral component to delivering these. By upgrading to Evolution, we have addressed an increased range of customer application requirements and expanded our customer base without sacrificing service quality or affordability."

~ Tore Morten OLSEN
Chief Executive Officer, Marlink

"As vessels at sea increasingly become integrated with land-based operations, it's critical for today's maritime network to handle emerging corporate data and productivity application requirements as well as recreational traffic. Additionally, providers like Marlink must be able to prioritize critical traffic for their customers and guarantee reliable, always-on access to broadband anywhere. Our Evolution product line is engineered to deliver the industry's highest efficiency and availability, so Marlink can continue providing a world-class maritime VSAT service now and in the future."

~ Steve TUNNICLIFFE
Regional Vice President, Europe, iDirect

Marlink is a global satellite communications provider, offering maritime customers a single source for a broad range of voice and data solutions backed by an established service and support network. Marlink offers on-demand services such as Inmarsat, Iridium and Thuraya, as well as its own range of C-band and Ku-band VSAT solutions. Across its wide range of satellite communications products and solutions, Marlink routes communication through its own teleports to ensure high quality, reliability and flexibility for Marlink customers. With offices worldwide, including Athens, Brussels, Dubai, Hamburg, Houston, London, Mumbai, Oslo, Washington DC, Singapore and Tokyo, Marlink delivers a wide choice in satellite communication solutions as well as installation and customer support on a global basis.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is a global leader in IP‐based satellite communications providing technology that enables our 350+partners to optimize their networks, differentiate and profitably expand their businesses. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ allows our partners to run their entire business operations more efficiently via a single, unified IP‐based satellite architecture, whether it's providing core IP applications to the enterprise or specialized services to any number of diverse vertical markets. iDirect is the #1 name in global satellite communications in key industries including maritime, military/government, and oil and gas, with a 62% hub market share and more than a quarter million remotes installed worldwide. In 2007, iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) was formed to drive adoption of its IP‐based solutions in the U.S. government market. In 2008, iDirect Asia Pte Ltd was established in Singapore to enhance its value‐add and responsiveness to customers in the Asia Pacific region. For more information please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors.  VT Systems' innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering. Please visit www.vt-systems.com.

SOURCE iDirect