Filipino fishing companies eye use of satellite services

Filipino fishing companies are going hi-tech by utilizing satellite services for voice communications, text messaging, access to weather forecasts, catch and delivery reporting and vessel monitoring system.

At the Third National Tuna Congress recently held in General Santos City, the Stratos Global Corp. unveiled its full portfolio of cost-effective communication services delivered via satellite.

Organized by the Socsargen Federation of Fishing Associations and Allied Industries, the congress was attended by 300 chief executive officers and representatives of fishing companies, fish producers’ groups, fish processors, government agencies, non-government organizations and academic institutions from the Philippines and abroad.

"Stratos’ satellite services are deemed ideal for the Asia-Pacific market due to the high volume of fishing and shipping activities in the region. Most fishing boats at sea require reliable communications," said John Taylor, Stratos director for the Asia-Pacific.

Taylor said Stratos provides "a total communication system of global coverage, consistent quality, reliability, robust features and functionality, and user-friendly features."

Remote locations

Stratos serves customers in remote locations without cellular or terrestrial landline facilities, via satellite.

The company offers a variety of satellite and microwave wireless technologies, including Internet Protocol, data and voice solutions to an array of diverse markets worldwide, including government, military, industrial, recreational, broadcasting, maritime and aeronautical.

To distribute its services locally, Stratos has appointed Rope Systems as Philippine distributor of Iridium and Inmarsat phones. Rope Systems is a market leader in the provision and service of communications and navigational equipment for the maritime industry.

Iridium provides full voice and data communication at land and sea with Internet access, as well as total global coverage for paging and short messaging system (SMS).

This service allows inexpensive calls to and from anywhere in the globe using a handset weighing less than 500 grams and a portable auxiliary antenna.

Inmarsat service, on the other hand, allows registered shore-side customers around the world to exchange messages. On board a vessel, Inmarsat users can send and receive messages to and from Internet e-mail addresses onshore.

Free SMS

According to Ernie Calzada, vice president for technology of Rope Systems, the Iridium and Inmarsat services offer great benefits to Filipino fishing companies as well as those in the Asia-Pacific.

Offshore fishing vessels can immediately report their catch and estimated time of arrival at ports, locate other fishing boats and access weather reports.

Calzada added that Rope Systems is marketing Iridium and Inmarsat satellite services not only to fishing companies, but also to the shipping and crewing industries.

The Stratos Iridium service also offers free SMS from the Stratos website. Fishing fleet operators, families and friends wanting to contact fishermen at sea can simply type a message on the website and enter the phone number, and the message will be sent to any Stratos Iridium handset in the world at no cost.

A range of pre-paid solutions is also available for fishing crews, to reduce financial and administrative burdens on fishing fleet operators.