Stratos Adds Onboard Internet Café Features to its AmosConnect Crew Communications Solution

--New AmosConnect Crew CommCenter software uses full Internet potential of Inmarsat FleetBroadband and Iridium OpenPort broadband services in a controlled environment--

BETHESDA, MD, June 1 /PRNewswire/ - Stratos Global Corporation, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today announced the commercial availability of AmosConnect Crew CommCenter, the latest version of its popular AmosConnect Crew satellite communications solution.

AmosConnect Crew is an all-in-one communication solution for crewmembers. Combining AmosConnect and Stratos ChatCard, two of Stratos' successful services, AmosConnect Crew enables personnel at sea to stay in contact with home via calling, email and SMS at affordable, flat global rates - thus helping retain qualified seafarers. It provides an easily manageable, separate account for each crewmember. The Internet functionality of the new software version is expanded beyond email to include true onboard Internet café features, such as prepaid web browsing, prepaid chatting and access to global and local news services.

AmosConnect Crew was originally developed in response to requests from ship managers who wanted a full crew-communication solution that would run entirely separate from the business communication onboard their vessels. AmosConnect Crew is based on the SMSCrewMail application from SMS Global Ltd.

By adding features that enable web browsing, chatting with all major Internet communities, and access to global news services, the latest version of AmosConnect Crew becomes the industry's first complete, pre-paid onboard Internet café solution for crewmembers. It provides the first fully integrated, user-friendly interface for using email, SMS and the Internet.

"The introduction of AmosConnect Crew CommCenter demonstrates Stratos' knowledge of evolving requirements and our commitment to providing ship managers with innovative new solutions to help them recruit and retain qualified seafarers," said Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm.

Parm added, "This new version enables ship managers to derive maximum value from their FleetBroadband and OpenPort broadband terminals. It also allows seafarers to communicate onboard in the same manner as they do ashore. It fully meets crew preferences for robust, integrated communications, as well as management preferences for simplified administration and cost control."

By using the latest version of AmosConnect Crew, crewmembers only need one prepaid Stratos ChatCard to access all modes of communication. In addition, individuals can be assigned a vessel-independent personal mailbox plus an international SMS number that can be used on any ship and on shore. Emails and SMS messages can be sent at a low cost and receipt of SMS messages and email is free of charge. Along with the pre-paid aspect of the solution, AmosConnect Crew enables users to easily manage their own communications budget.

AmosConnect Crew now also incorporates new cost-reduction and security features that enable ship managers to control the volume of Internet usage, control the size of messages, and minimize risks for onboard systems. The new application also benefits ship managers with greater cost savings and time savings made possible by minimal setup, administration and management requirements.

Several leading ship-management companies, including Hong Kong's Wallem and Malaysia's MISC Berhad, have deployed AmosConnect Crew to improve crew welfare. The solution complies with the latest ITF recommendation to offer the option of free private email to all crewmembers.

About AmosConnect from Stratos

The popular AmosConnect from Stratos solution integrates vessel and shore-based office applications. It is an easy-to-use, yet highly sophisticated solution that seamlessly integrates email, fax, telex, GSM text, interoffice communication, and access for mobile personnel into a single messaging system. AmosConnect enhances new broadband IP-based maritime satellite services which include FleetBroadband, Iridium OpenPort, and the VSAT solutions OceanVSAT and StratosITek.

Stratos recently completed replacement of its AmosConnect hub platform with ultra-modern hardware technology. Nearly 20,000 AmosConnect from Stratos licenses have been issued and the solution is used by more than 200,000 officers and crewmembers. Stratos is the largest supplier of mobile satellite services to the maritime industry, with communications to more than 40,000 maritime terminals worldwide.

About The Stratos Advantage

AmosConnect is one of the foundations of The Stratos Advantage, a range of value-added services that provides ship managers with optimal communications performance and cost efficiency. AmosConnect is also available in configurations for land-mobile customers using BGAN from Stratos and aeronautical customers using SwiftBroadband from Stratos.

In addition to offering The Stratos Advantage, Stratos works with application partners to deliver broadband business solutions in key maritime business areas. These solutions include voyage management, remote management, IT management and cargo management, which help reduce fuel and operations costs and improve crew and customer satisfaction.

About Stratos

Stratos is the world's trusted leader for vital communications. Stratos offers the most powerful and extensive portfolio of remote communications solutions including mobile and fixed satellite and microwave services. More than 20,000 customers use Stratos products and industry-leading value-added services to optimize communications performance. Stratos serves U.S. and international government, military, first responder, NGO, oil and gas, industrial, maritime, aeronautical, enterprise, and media users on seven continents and across the world's oceans. Stratos is a wholly owned subsidiary of Inmarsat plc. For more information, visit www.stratosglobal.com.

SOURCE Stratos Global Corporation

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