New Market-Leading Global Maritime VSAT Service

Thuraya Telecommunications Company, a subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), has partnered with ITC Global to set up Thuraya VSAT+, the ground-breaking maritime satellite service.

ITC Global is a subsidiary of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. The partnership gives Thuraya access to Panasonic’s global mobility network, which enables the Ku-band element of the Thuraya VSAT+ service.

Thuraya – a company with 20+ years in satellite communications, including maritime – launched VSAT+ in Q4 2018. The service offers global coverage, best-in-class data rates to meet growing demand for high-throughput services, and high levels of reliability, security, resilience and flexibility.

The partnership will enable new value-added solutions for the maritime industry through a network of Master Distributors and partners. They will bring VSAT+ to market and add value in areas such as comprehensive cyber security, ease of installation and 24x7 maintenance availability. The integrated offering makes VSAT+ a compelling proposition for maritime customers such as high-end fisheries, offshore installations and merchant fleets.

Thuraya VSAT+ ensures optimum flexibility by combining Ku-band (for high-speed data) and L-band (for backup and fall back). The service is scalable to meet global and regional needs for essential communications such as voice calls, email and position reporting, and for high-bandwidth requirements such as training, publications, condition-based maintenance, enterprise resource planning and content for crew welfare.

Shawkat Ahmed, Chief Commercial Officer at Thuraya, said: “In the challenging maritime market, end-users are constantly looking for satellite solutions that offer higher bandwidth, ease of use, innovation and value-added features that drive operational efficiency. VSAT+ meets these needs by offering an integrated solution that combines reliability, resilience and high-bandwidth speed. We are partnering with experienced Master Distributors, creating revenue opportunities throughout the supply chain, reducing overheads and providing flexible options for customers.”

VSAT+ is applicable to all vessel types and maritime budgets. It comes with a fixed-price package and is available globally through Thuraya’s network of global Master Distributors. By complementing Thuraya’s unique L-band presence with Panasonic capability, VSAT+ gives the maritime industry access to a unique proposition that addresses industry challenges of higher capacity, coverage and reliability.

“This partnership represents the mutual goals of both organizations in reaching an expansive and diverse customer market across many industries which require mobility support,” said Kevin Franciotti, Vice President, Global Channel Partnership at ITC Global. “Additionally, ITC Global’s access to large amounts of bandwidth through Panasonic and the technology roadmaps for the future present an opportunity for long-term growth. Given these synergies, it is exciting to establish this partnership with Thuraya, and we look forward to working together to serve its more than 40 distributors operating across the globe,” concluded Franciotti.