Nera Introduces the Nera F33

Norwegian satellite equipment provider Nera SatCom AS, together with Inmarsat, introduced the new Nera F33 product concept to the maritime market. The Nera F33 will fill the gap between the existing Inmarsat Mini-M service /Nera WorldPhone and the global Inmarsat Fleet 77 service / Nera F77. The new Nera F33 is based on the Inmarsat Fleet F33 service concept, providing the light marine market with improved data communications from equipment suitable for the demands of today’s commercial and leisure fleet. The launch of the service is due to early 2003. Satellite communications are increasingly being used by marine vessels in order to access online connectivity with the onshore world. For several years the Nera WorldPhone has been a success for both light marine market and the commercial shipping market to access voice, low speed data and fax services through the spot-beam satellite services. For vessels operating on deep-sea global routes, the new Nera F77, based on Inmarsat Fleet 77 services would be the preferred installation.The larger Nera F77 provides an “office at sea” service, with high-speed data capacity and serving broad communications needs (including voice, data, Internet, fax) available through Inmarsat’s global- as well as spot beams. Inmarsat are planning to launch the new Fleet F33 early in 2003 to fill the gap between the two existing services, and once again Nera will be providing terminal equipment for this service, with the launch of the Nera F33 terminal. Nera F33 provides advanced data communications for Light Marine The Nera F33 is a solution tailor-made for light marine with advanced data communications needs operating mainly within Inmarsat’s regional spot-beam coverage. In addition, F33’s voice coverage extends to Inmarsat’s full global Ocean Regions. The Nera F33 is a terminal providing voice, fax and medium speed data transmission, in addition to the Mobile Packet Data (MPDS) service already established with Fleet F77. MPDS allows fast and cost-efficient Internet and e-mail services, as users pay only for data transmitted rather than the time they are connected. The terminal antenna is considerably smaller than the global Nera F77. Nera F33 is perfectly suited for smaller vessels and any light marine vessels with IP-requirements such as smaller yachts, fishing vessels and smaller coastal fleet. The concept is in addition well suited as a back-up system for deep sea going commercial ships. The Nera F33 is highly reliable and provides users with fast e-mail and data transmission opportunities, in addition to telephone (digital voice) and fax. The data capability of the services is perfectly suited to cover the needs of crew calling systems via e-mail. The service and equipment is highly suited to operation as a back-up solution for additional satellite communications equipment for larger ocean going fleets. Using a Nera F33 will provide the vessel and crew onboard with improved security and accessibility. The Nera F33 does not, however, meet the requirements of GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System). To fulfill the IMOs (International Maritime Organization) voice GMDSS requirements, the vessel can operate a Nera F77 in addition to GMDSS approved equipment for maximum safety and security on deep-sea and global operations.