Marlink Extends Radisson Seven Seas Contract

First announced this past fall, a new four-year agreement between Marlink and Radisson Seven Seas, was finalized during a press conference at this year's Sea Trade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami, Fla. Held at the Raleigh Hotel, executives from Marlink, (a wholly owned subsidiary of Telenor); and Radisson Seven Seas Cruises, the briefing outlined the satellite services that will be provided onboard Seven Seas Navigator and newbuild Seven Seas Voyager, which is to be launched this year. The two vessels will join Seven Seas Mariner, which has been offering Marlink's service since 2001, in providing high speed data communications at 128 kbps. The new agreement calls for Marlink to serve as the preferred interface between maritime customers and the satellite communications industry, while providing Sealink high-speed data service. The systems allow passengers and crew to obtain the highest level of access to e-mail, fax and phone services. The agreement with Radisson is two-fold. With Sealink providing totally integrated system solutions via Telenor's former NORSAT Sealink service with Telenor's C-Band services of its U.S.-based entity, Telenor will be responsible for all elements - including equipment, space segment for C and Ku-band, gateway functions, installation, and operation and maintenance of each system.