MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) announced it extended its contract with Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian) for an additional five years for VSAT communications, crew calling, Internet services, access to MTN Worldwide TV™ and related services around the globe. 

MTN will continue to provide its communications solutions to the entire Norwegian fleet, including its newest ships, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, launching in 2013 and 2014 respectively.

“Throughout our 21-year partnership, MTN has been committed to the highest standard of excellence when it comes to providing reliable and comprehensive communications services to our passengers and crew,” said Norwegian senior vice president and CIO Vincent Cirel. “MTN is always willing to test innovative new ideas that help keep our company at the forefront of maritime communications for our guests and crew members.  Their longevity and dedication to the cruise industry is truly unmatched and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership.”

MTN’s partnership with Norwegian started with the Seaward in 1991, where MTN provided bandwidth to the 709 foot cruise ship carrying 1,480 guests and 740 crew members.  Over the years, the two companies shared many firsts, including pioneering crew calling, and launching the first Internet access and Internet cafés at sea.

With the extension of the contract, MTN will continue providing Norwegian with a full range of communications services, including Internet cafés and Wi-Fi, so users can have Internet access via smart phones, tablets, computers, and laptops. Additional services will include MTN OceanPhone^®, which enables reliable connectivity to friends and family for crew, as well as extensive MTN Worldwide TV™ programming, including E! Entertainment Television, BBC World News, CNBC, MSNBC, Fox News, Sky News, Sky Sports News and Sport 24.

“Norwegian has taken amazing steps to better the passenger and crew experience, and we embrace their challenge to always be one pace ahead of their communications demands,” said Errol Olivier, president and CEO, MTN.  “MTN values its customers and its own service team as seriously as Norwegian.  This is a natural partnership for achieving Norwegian’s impressive connectivity milestones.  MTN specializes in leveraging not just the bandwidth, but also throughput to fleets so every last gigabyte – and even terabyte – is optimized, resulting in service excellence and the best at-sea experience the industry has to offer.”