The MSC Divina. Photo: MSC Cruises

[Via Satellite 06-30-2016] Marlink has selected Intelsat to deliver broadband connectivity to Mediterranean Shipping Company’s (MSC) cruise ships using its EpicNG High Throughput Satellite (HTS) system. The company is using Intelsat EpicNG connectivity for all of MSC Cruises’ 12 existing ships, with the first ship, the MSC Divina, having started service in May.

Inmarsat and Marlink signed a long-term partnership agreement in 2014, through which Marlink will use Intelsat’s satellite network to provide MSC Cruises with global coverage for their worldwide itineraries. Marlink will use wide beam C- and Ku-band satellite solutions from nine Intelsat satellites initially, as well as Ku-band high throughput spot beams from Intelsat 29e, the first of the Intelsat EpicNG fleet, and Intelsat 33e, once it enters service in the second half of the year.

Marlink will also leverage the IntelsatOne terrestrial network, specifically teleports located in Georgia and California in the U.S., as well as Germany and South Korea.