[Satellite TODAY 02-06-13] Astrium Services has signed a multi-year capacity renewal agreement with Intelsat for C-band capacity to be used by Astrium Services’ maritime customers in the Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Gulf of Mexico, Intelsat announced Feb. 6.

   Astrium will use C-band capacity on the Intelsat 907 satellite located at the 332.5 degrees East orbital slot to provide fast, reliable data connectivity and voice communication for passengers and operational purposes.

   Astrium Services’ Business Communications unit will use the Intelsat capacity to meet the high bandwidth requirements of its C-band customized VSAT users, while supporting broadband and expanded capabilities in the cruise, ferry and offshore sectors. The Intelsat capacity also aims to improve Astrium’s passenger communication, ensuring that multiple simultaneous users can access the Internet, providing a competitive advantage to cruise and ferry operators through the ability to offer vessel-wide Wi-Fi and high levels of connectivity, regardless of location.

   "With Ku-band VSAT showing considerable growth over the last few years, it’s important to recognize the strong need for C-band connectivity in the specialist sectors that Astrium Services is committed to satisfying," Astrium Services’ Head of Maritime Tore Morten Olsen said in a statement. "Cruise ships and ferries require significant bandwidth to support passenger welfare and business applications, whilst offshore vessels and platforms need high levels of connectivity for critical operations and production optimization. Securing improved C-band capacity on Intelsat 907 supports our customized VSAT users in enhancing operations and offering improved connectivity services for business, crew and passengers, even in the most challenging of environments."