USA: Stratos Global Introduces StratosMAX II Nomadic

Stratos Global, the leading global provider of advanced mobile and fixed-site remote communications solutions, today introduced StratosMAX II Nomadic, a new version of its popular StratosMAX II broadband service offered via the Stratos microwave network for the offshore energy community in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) region.

Since its introduction last year, the WiMAX-based StratosMAX II service has been adopted by several energy companies in the GoM, as it increases the performance of corporate networks offshore. The fixed-site service provides reliable voice communications, broadband (burstable up to 10Mbps) Internet connectivity, Stratos HotSpot WiFi service and a wide range of mobile applications to oil rigs, platforms and offshore vessels. It is available from more than 50 base stations providing coverage of offshore production sites across the GoM. The StratosMAX II advantages of higher speeds and ultra-low latencies over a robust network enable users to achieve maximum functionality at prices comparable to traditional VSAT service.

The new StratosMAX II Nomadic service enables companies to expand their corporate networks to their mobile operations throughout the GoM. For the first time, these mobile sites now can benefit from higher speeds and ultra-low latencies.

The new service is available in two versions. The StratosMAX II Nomadic Vessel version can be permanently mounted on mobile oil rigs or lift boats that move from location to location. The Vessel version also is ideal for workboats operated by companies serving the oil and gas community.

The StratosMAX II Nomadic Transportable version is fully contained in a carrying case and is well suited for companies that temporarily operate on different sites. Each version provides broadband (burstable up to 1Mbps) Internet connectivity and multiple voice lines.

The Stratos microwave backbone network carries StratosMAX II traffic to shore. With its redundant beach crossings, survivable ring architecture and on-land fiber optic distribution, the offshore microwave network provides very high reliability in the harsh GoM environment. Stratos uses the industry’s most sophisticated management systems to monitor its microwave network 24×7. Stratos also is upgrading backbone radios to high capacity Ethernet and implementing Multiprotocol Layered Service (MPLS) in its core microwave network.

“Energy producers on the move are demanding levels of broadband performance and reliability similar to what is available to fixed sites. Our new StratosMAX II Nomadic service provides a wider range of broadband options for the GoM energy community,” said Gerbrand Schalkwijk, Stratos Vice President, Global Enterprise Sales. “With this new service, these companies now have ultimate flexibility to expand their networks – and to reap all the benefits of high-speed Internet connectivity, WiFi service, corporate video conferencing, telemedicine and other bandwidth-intensive applications.”

Schalkwijk concluded, “StratosMAX II Nomadic is the latest example of our commitment to provide the GoM energy community with the most comprehensive range of solutions that maximize business productivity and crew welfare.”

About StratosMAX II

StratosMAX II provides broadband connectivity to oil rigs, platforms and offshore vessels in the GoM. It connects fixed and nomadic customers back to shore utilizing Stratos’ industry-leading digital microwave network with diverse shore crossings and onshore Stratos interconnection facilities. The IP-based StratosMAX II service offers high-bandwidth, low-latency features and is competitively priced against VSAT and legacy radio technologies. The low-latency features enable superior service quality and customer experience for lag-sensitive applications such as corporate VPN access, voice and video communications.

StratosMAX II is based on WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) standards. WiMAX technology is provisioned by Stratos over licensed spectrum across the GoM. Those seeking more information on StratosMAX II can contact their Stratos account representative, call 1-800-375-1562 or visit www.stratosglobal.com/StratosMAX.

About Stratos Services for the Global Energy Industry

Stratos employs more than 200 professionals in the GoM region and for more than a decade has been one of the largest suppliers of vital communications systems (VSAT, MSS and microwave) to the global offshore energy industry. Stratos operates the largest and only comprehensive microwave network in the GoM. Stratos microwave and VSAT networks provide reliable, high-speed communications for data, voice, video conferencing, email, fax and web access – all of which combine to make the network an extension of the corporate office. Stratos serves the global energy industry from offices worldwide.

Stratos recently completed a multi-million-dollar investment to upgrade and expand the functionality and resilience of its microwave network. Examples include installation of Ethernet radios, replacement of onshore radio hops with fiber optics, and continued transition to an IP-based network to provide high-bandwidth, cost-effective services such StratosMAX II.

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.

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Source: Stratos, October 20, 2011