MCN Buys 20 Million Minutes From AMSC
American Mobile Satellite Corporation (AMSC) signed an agreement with Maritime Cellular Networks, Inc. (MCN) for the latter to purchase 20 million minutes of satellite capacity.
MCN signed a contract in September 1993 to become a Value-Added Service Provider (VASP) with the purchase of 10 million minutes of satellite capaci- ty on the AMSC-1 satellite. This most recent contract doubles MCN's capacity to 20 million minutes of enhanced voice and circuit switched data communications services in support of its MarineSat service.
The company provides services to more than 500 commercial shipping vessels, fishing vessels, oil rigs, tankers, and remote land operations in the U.S. through its 14 distribution agencies nationwide. "Based upon the enthusiastic client response to our low cost MarineSat Service offering, we feel certain that this project with AMSC will revolutionize the marine communications industry. Within the next 18 months we expect to install more than 1,000 MarineSat terminals aboard ships, yachts, drilling vessels and rigs within the extensive AMSC footprint," said William Thompson, president of MCN.
"We are privileged and excited to have MCN as a VASP for our Maritime Satellite Telephone Service offerings," said Chris McCleary, vice president and general manager, Satellite Telephone Services at AMSC. MCN, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., provides cellular voice and data communica- tions services and specialized maritime equipment through its 24 distribution agencies worldwide. AMSC is the recipient of an FCC license granting authority to provide a full range of satellite-delivered, mobile telephone, fax and data services to land mobile, maritime, aeronautical and fixed site markets. In 1995, AMSC will implement a full service mobile satellite system for the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and 200 miles of coastal waters. The company currently offers fleet management mobile data and position reporting services to the maritime, trucking and rail industries throughout the U.S. via leased satellite capacity and its AMSC-1 satellite. AMSC's shareholders include Hughes Communications Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation and reportedly the world's largest owner and operator of commercial communications satellites; Singapore Telecom, a world leader in providing telecommunications services; AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., reportedly the world's largest cellular communications provider; and Mtel, a pioneer in wireless messaging.
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