[Satellite TODAY 05-20-10] MTN Satellite Communications (MTN) and its Spanish joint-venture partner Erzia have been selected to provide C- and Ku-band VSAT products and services for the Empressa Naviera Elcano shipping fleet, the companies announced May 19.
     MTN and Erzia will provide VSAT connections for Elcano’s entire fleet of 11 vessels consisting of gas, bulk and petrochemical carriers sailing on routes worldwide.
    “The ships’ crew will have high-speed Internet access with unlimited traffic and high-quality telephony services. We will also provide value-added services like traffic monitoring and prepaid crew calling cards,” MTN Director of Channel Sales Ian Maxson-Davies said in a statement.
     The deal follows MTN’s opening of a new Santander teleport in Santander, Spain. The teleport will be operated by Erzia and will provide coverage over Europe, the Americas and Asia.