Speedcast International announced that the company has been selected by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines to provide end-to-end communication services for voice and data onboard its fleet.

Speedcast will leverage satellite very small aperture terminals (VSAT) and land-based 4G/LTE connectivity to deliver communications for Fred. Olsen guests and crew onboard its fleet of four cruise ships Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch.

The Speedcast multi-band managed communications platform will be installed on each of Fred. Olsen’s ships, monitoring for and adopting the best fit satellite, wireless or terrestrial network. Speedcast’s Intelligent Communications Director technology will provide seamless, automatic switching between the different networks and technologies to ensure robust connectivity at all times.

“We are keen to benefit from Speedcast’s expertise in providing industry-leading connectivity services to enhance our onboard guest experience, providing high-bandwidth availability for each of our four cruise ships,” said Damon Impett, head of IT, Fred. Olsen UK Group. “Having access to a truly global communications network, capable of ensuring that our fleet will be always connected wherever we sail, was the most compelling factor when making this important decision, and Speedcast certainly delivers that. This also allows us to operate more efficiently between ships and onshore offices, with seamless connectivity from anywhere.”

“We are excited to add Fred. Olsen as a new global cruise customer,” said PJ Beylier, CEO, Speedcast. “Our core competencies of supplying reliable communication and IT solutions to highly mobile vessels sailing in remote areas fits Fred. Olsen’s connectivity needs and company infrastructure very well. We are proud to have the opportunity to assist them with their goal of providing a top-notch guest and crew experience on board their cruise ships, through a combination of innovative technology and a high level of customer service.”

The Speedcast solution will include 24x7x365 support from its customer service centers, located on five continents, as well as monitoring tools to manage Fred. Olsen’s network proactively, ensuring the highest availability and most efficient use of satellite and 4G/LTE connectivity.