MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) has announced that the World Teleport Association (WTA) has appointed Richard Hadsall to its board. 

Hadsall founded MTN more than 30 years ago and today serves as the chief technology officer for MTN Government Services (MTNGS).

MTN provides cost-effective, flexible and reliable broadband network systems and innovative services at sea, on land and in the air worldwide.  The company delivers value and service excellence to the majority of the world’s leading cruise lines, more than 30 offshore oil and gas vessels, more than 200 of the world’s mega yachts, and dozens of government agencies operating aircraft. MTNGS serves government agencies, bureaus, departments and integrators. Since founding the company in1981, Hadsall has led far-reaching and previously unattainable communications milestones for important government and commercial entities.

Hadsall’s teams drove the first full-motion satellite video broadcasts at sea for a military vessel, for a research vessel and for a cruise ship. Hadsall led key engineering advancements to help main networks such as ABC, NBC and CNN report on major live events around the world.  He has driven delivery of critical content for the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. embassies, and major heads of government, including U.S. presidents. In 2011, Hadsall received an Emmy Award for Technology & Engineering, on behalf of MTN, for his work on development of integrated, deployable systems for live reporting from remote environments.

“The World Teleport Association is the voice of the satellite ground service business today and we are thrilled that Richard has agreed to participate at such an important juncture,” said M. Brett Belinsky, Chairman of WTA. “The membership consists of independent teleport operators from across the Americas, Europe and Asia.  Richard’s appointment places as an absolute industry pioneer onto our leadership team and we look forward to his value added contribution.”

The WTA advocates for the interests of commercial teleport operators around the world.  WTA promotes their growth, business practice excellence, technology and operations with the goal of accelerating their profitability. Hadsall joins an extensive list of prestigious satellite executives who jointly vote on issues that influence the success of the teleport industry as a whole.

MTN Satellite Communications also announced a new contract with Buquebus, the largest ferry operator in South America. MTN will provide Buquebus with VSAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite communications services, as well as Internet and Wi-Fi connectivity, throughout its expanding fleet.

The demand around the world is growing for passengers and crew to be able to stay connected and entertained while commuting. MTN has been the leading communications provider in the cruise, yacht, and government vessel markets. Now, thanks to MTN’s history of service excellence, the ferry market is taking notice and benefiting from the value MTN delivers through its services today, as well as its innovative approach to introducing new connectivity options that are ahead of customers’ expectations.

Buquebus is a tourism transportation company in Uruguay, connecting more than 2 million passengers between Argentina and Uruguay every year by boat and by bus. After a satisfying test period, Buquebus selected MTN to provide VSAT services to their fleet traveling between Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Colonia.

“We were pleased with MTN’s service reliability and technical support during our trial phase,” said Jorge Petraglia, director of onboard services at Buquebus. “We look forward to delivering our passengers the innovative connectivity options that MTN has planned for our vessels.”

“MTN is pleased to extend the same high level of service to the ferry market that we have been known for over more than 30 years among cruise operators,” said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president, MTN cruise and ferry services. “MTN takes pride in developing services that help passengers and crew work; connect with their jobs, family and friends; or just relax before or after a long day on the job.”