MTN Satellite Communications Increases Global Presence by Inking VSAT Deal for New Costa Cruises Flagship, Costa Fascinosa

MIRAMAR, Fla., Dec. 5, 2011  /PRNewswire/ -- MTN Satellite Communications (MTN), the global provider of communications, connectivity and content services to remote locations around the world, today announced that it will provide Costa Cruises' new flagship, Costa Fascinosa, with Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) services by leveraging its global satellite network that so many cruise ships have come to rely on for delivering crew and passenger data anywhere in the world. For the past two decades MTN has proven that it is the de-facto VSAT standard within the cruise industry and this selection by Costa Cruises, the largest Italian travel group and the number-one cruise company in Europe, demonstrates the company's growing foothold within the European market.

MTN operates a worldwide footprint of VSAT satellite connectivity with more than 35 satellite footprints. MTN's secure network infrastructure consists of 10 teleport gateways and 13 points of presence, strategically located across the globe. Each of these facilities is interconnected through an extensive redundant terrestrial network backbone offering numerous connectivity options to meet partners' important business and communications requirements. This infrastructure is critical to ensure communications are 100 percent operational no matter the weather condition or location of the vessel.

"We have been outfitting cruise ships with the most reliable, secure VSAT services longer than any other company and through the years we have developed an in-depth understanding of this industry's unique communications requirements," said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president and general manager of MTN's cruise and ferry business. "Costa Fascinosa, the ship that we are currently outfitting, will be delivered in spring 2012 by Fincantieri Marghera shipyard and will carry 3,800 total passengers. In today's wireless world, passengers expect to have the latest communications capabilities at their disposal while the crew relies on VSAT services to provide a memorable experience and ensure the safety of its passengers."

Through MTN's exceptionally reliable VSAT solutions, a comprehensive portfolio of onboard revenue opportunities is offered to cruise line partners. The products and services, which add to the overall cruising experience, include remote access for Internet, fixed and mobile phones, fax, MTN Worldwide TV, OceanPhone® crew calling, a payroll solution for crew and other enterprise solutions.

About Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises is Europe's number one cruise company (www.costacruise.com). For over 60 years its ships have plied the seas of the world, offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and providing dream holidays with the utmost in terms of fun and relaxation. Its fleet has a total of 15 ships, all flying the Italian flag, each with her own distinctive characteristics and unique style; together each year, they offer the chance to visit some 250 separate destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East, the Indian Ocean and the Round-the-World cruise. Two more new ships have been ordered from Fincantieri and will be delivered in Spring 2012 and October 2014. With revenues of 2.9 billion euros and 2.15 million total Guests in 2010, Costa Crociere S.p.A. is the largest Italian travel group and comprises the brands Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Iberocruceros.  Costa Crociere S.p.A. is one of Italy's top 10 most profitable companies and ranks 49th in terms of sales in Mediobanca's 2010 survey of over 3700 Italian enterprises that recorded revenue of at least 50 million euros the previous fiscal year.  Costa Crociere S.p.A. is a member of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise operator.

About MTN Satellite Communications

MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) is the leading global provider of communications, connectivity, and content services to remote locations around the world. MTN's maritime VSAT solutions and global satellite communications network offer the reliability that only "Always On – Always Available" systems can provide. More than 600 vessels and land-based terminals worldwide, including cruise ships, commercial ships, offshore drilling and production sites, government and military vessels, private yachts, and ferries depend on MTN's voice and data networks to allow them to "be in the middle of nowhere and at the center of everything." Premium services include remote access for Internet, fixed and mobile phones, fax, television, onboard newspapers, banking services, direct payroll deposit for crew, and other enterprise solutions. MTN is based in Miramar, Fla. and has offices worldwide. For more information, visit www.mtnsat.com.

SOURCE MTN Satellite Communications