More than 92 people representing Thrane & Thrane's North East Asian, South East Asian and Australian partners attended the conference, which took place alongside the Chinese stop-over of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012.

AST Australia attend the conference and received one of five regional partner awards for outstanding business performance in the past year. AST Australia's were awarded "Successful market development in South East Asia"Managing Director, Henrik Jacobsen said "this award honors all of the hard work our team have been completing in the region. We are excited about the next step we are taking and are looking forward to the rest of 2012."

Applied Satellite Technology Ltd (AST) Open New VSAT Maritime Broadband Solutions Centre in Singapore

As part of AST’s ongoing commitment to improving services to customers, a new, dedicated VSAT Maritime Broadband Solutions Centre will open on the 1 May 2012 in Singapore to specifically serve the Asia Pacific Region.

David Davies, Director comments; ‘This new operation will see collaboration in forces between our Singapore and Australian offices. AST Australia have over ten years’ experience in supplying VSAT communication solutions to the Mining and Offshore Oil & Gas Industries, and AST Singapore a wealth of local knowledge, therefore by combining the sales and technical skills of the two offices we are confident we can offer our customers the best possible levels of service and support available in the industry today.

The new VSAT Solutions Centre in Singapore is the first step in a global rollout of custom VSAT Solution Centers for AST, who in recent years have invested in essential ground station technology and Point of Presence (PoP) services.

The existing Singapore office, the direct arm of AST Singapore - AST Asia PTE limited, will be managed by Henrik Jacobsen as Managing Director. Henrik will also continue with his responsibilities as Managing Director for AST Australia. Henrik comments; ‘We have an extremely experienced team of sales and technical staff, both in Singapore and Australia, who together provide a robust platform for the roll out of advanced customer solutions such as VSAT and customised IT solutions. The amalgamation of skills is both exciting and progressive, enabling AST to open up new markets throughout the Asia Pacific region’.

The AST Group is already recognised throughout the industry as one of the largest distribution partners for satellite hardware and airtime services. AST Distribution will continue to operate from Singapore, serving their partners throughout the Asia Pacific market under the management of Nicholas Lee, Director.

AST will be exhibiting at the Asia Pacific Maritime exhibition in Singapore from the 14 - 16 March 2012. Visit them at Stand R12 to discuss any opportunities or for further information on their services and solutions.

Adding your phone to Twitter makes it easy to tweet from places where even WiFi and mobile web don't work!

Iridium recently posted about two customers who made history using Iridium satellite phones with Twitter to update followers from some of the farthest corners of the Earth.

Eric Larsen, the renowned arctic explorer, became the first person ever to tweet from the North Pole using an Iridium satellite phone in 2010.

Felicity Ashton, the first woman ever to cross Antarctica alone, was interviewed by NPR in her sleeping bag while using her Iridium Extreme™, also tweeted.

How to add your Iridium phone to your Twitter Account

How to add your Thuraya phone to your Twitter Account

For more information contact your account manager on 1300 660 084.

The EXPLORER PTT solution is the result of 1½ years of field evaluation. The customer, a South American electricity distribution company covering 66.000 miles of distribution lines and a concessional area of 120.000 square kilometers were facing a communication challenge. They were using a traditional VHF trunk radio system provided by an infrastructure of 180 VHF towers with combined satellite and land line back haul to the dispatch centre. The mobile work force consisted of 500+ field engineers maintaining the power grid and serving subscribers on a daily basis. Faced with high infrastructure maintenance costs, poor VHF voice quality and limited coverage the company was looking for an alternative. They were looking for a cost efficient, simple and user friendly communication solution with a PTT/VHF user experience and with improved voice quality, support of data connectivity as well as expanded coverage.

For more information contact our office on 1300 660 084.

Unsure how to use a BGAN terminal?

Using an BGAN for the first time? AST Australia can teach you how to use the latest technology from Inmarsat and Thrane & Thrane.

Can't see the video below? click here.

The new PoP will allow AST Australia to provide the direct termination of Inmarsat BGAN, FleetBroadband IP, VSAT and VoIP traffic locally, therefore providing the shortest route possible for data transmission. It also offers our customers the ability to connect via a ‘local tail’ such as multi-protocol label switching (MPLS) or virtual private network (VPN) which allows an end to end private network straight into their premises within the Asia Pacific region rather than passing over the public internet. This also allows end to end quality of service (QoS) to be assigned and other value added services such as firewalling as required.

AST Australia’s numerous clients in government, maritime and media rely on the dedicated link for secure, end-to-end data transfer. Due to the addition of force routing, all traffic that originates from Australia must first be routed back to Australia for legal interception before being sent onwards; the PoP in Sydney allows AST Australia to help its clients achieve dedicated secure data transfer whilst providing the lowest possible latency for Inmarsat traffic. Other industries who, over time, have turned to look at requiring a secure data transfer are the military, aid agencies and national government organisations (NGO) who are depending more and more on secure voice and broadband data in remote locations where terrestrial wired and wireless networks are unavailable or unreliable.

The Australian PoP is now fully operational, offering value added services such as user-defined firewall and URL filtering to all our customers and end-to-end direct streaming and hosted VPN connections. AST Australia’s PoP is supported 24/7/365 and is proactively monitored from AST Australia’s network operations center which is located in Perth, Western Australia.

AST Australia currently has the following applications running via the PoP:

• Numerous banking applications throughout Indonesia which enable mobile automatic teller machines (ATMs) and staff in vehicles that roam around the central business district and metro area. Data is then transmitted via a BGAN 325 and AST Australia’s PoP, to ensure security, back to their head office in Jakarta and/or Sydney.
• Secure supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) applications for corporate companies.v
• Secure government and commercial applications that do not traverse the public internet to ensure maximum security for the organisations involved.
• A large number of media services in Jakarta and Sydney are using the ‘stream store and forward’ functionality which allows commercial television and government customers to deliver HD video with ease, as well as IP-based news-gathering and video management.
• Inmarsat M2M data services allow for secure and local delivery of asset and tracking data from the field directly to the client’s headquarters.

---

]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:30:00 +0000 michelle.godber http://www.asta.net.au/news/visit-us-at-pacific2012.html http://www.asta.net.au/news/visit-us-at-pacific2012.html The PACIFIC 2012 International Maritime and Naval Exposition will showcase a comprehensive range of technologies, services and products, including:
• Fast ferries, passenger and cruise ships
• Tankers and container ships
• Work boats, tugs and harbour support
• Police, customs and patrol vessels
• Naval surface vessels
• Naval aircraft
• Underwater technology
• Maritime surveillance
• Weapons system and platforms
• Maritime defence equipment and systems
• Bridge systems
• Propulsion systems
• Navigation and communication systems
• Ports, logistics and cargo handling
• Maritime security
• Training and simulation systems
• Search and rescue, safety and survival equipment
• Offshore technology
• Ship maintenance and repairs
• Maritime electrical and electronic systems
• Maritime safety systems and equipment

The Pacific International Maritime Exposition has established an enviable reputation as the major international maritime, naval and defence- related event in the region. The event is held over four trade only days at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, located at Darling Harbour, within walking distance of many hotels and within minutes of central Sydney.

The exhibition and conference program bring together key industry, defence and government decision makers from South East Asia and around the world and represent a magnificent opportunity to do business. They also provide a wonderful opportunity for those wishing to strengthen existing commercial maritime industry and defence networks and to establish new ones.

PRE-REGISTER ONLINE – AND SAVE TIME!

Register online as a trade visitor and your trade visitor badge will be waiting for you when you arrive at the Visitor Registration Desks at the Pacific 2012 International Maritime Exposition.

Official photographic identification (passport, drivers license, defence ID etc) will be required to be carried with you at all times. For accreditation purposes, evidence of corporate or industry affiliation (such as applicable business card, association membership card etc) may also be required.

Entry is free to qualified trade visitors.

Discover - New innovations in subsea, asset mangement, flow control, safety and engineering.

Compare - Over 450 of the world's leading EPC, service and supply companies like Technip, GE Oil & Gas, Cameron and Aker Solutions.

Deliver - Your projects on time and budget with the latest in exploration and production.

Engage - With over 15,000 industry professionals including International Pavilions from the UK, China, India, Norway, Holland, USA and Italy.

Connect - AOG Conference, Subsea Australiasia Conference, Opening Night and Official AOG Dinner.

Save time and register free online aogexpo.com.au using code EXH.

Using an IsatPhone Pro for the first time? AST Australia can teach you how to use one of the latest satellite phone's in the market in a variety of environments

Earlier this year the unit was deployed to Japan in wake of the March 11th Tsunami. Senior Support Analyst, John Calluy was placed on alert for pre-deployment support the night before the team was due to leave Australia. 'I was advised there would be a high likelihood that further BGAN kits would be required. As the team was departing at 3pm the next day, I only had a small window to ensure the kit was serviceable, checked and tested,' he says.

The major challenge was ensuring the unit was complete, all components tested and operational, and then obtaining at very short notice further BGAN units for standby for additional team deployments.

'We were able to achieve this on the Saturday morning with the help of the NSW State Manager, Vince Brennan, of AST Australia who came especially to Rozelle with two additional BGAN units. We had access to additional toughened notebooks as well, so if the requirement was to deploy a further team this could have been achieved within 12 to 24 hours."

Australia has donated the team's tents, shelters, generators, beds, food stocks and water to help local authorities in relief efforts. Medicines and medical equipment were given to the local hospital.

For more information on the NSW Ambulance service, click here.

AST Australia launches the new SATMATE i30, an affordable all-in-one tracking device with multiple communication options to ensure you always know where your vehicles are.

AST Australia (ASTA) launches the latest fully integrated tracking device into the market, with a unique mix of usability, capability and expandability, the SATMATE i30 is your number one choice in the tracking market.

The SATMATE i30 is a next generation advanced tracking product, offering a completely integrated solution. With everything you need inside the box, just power it up and you’re away! With primary communications utilising the Iridium SBD network, the SATMATE i30 is positioned for operation across the globe. In-built intelligence, multiple communication options (Iridium SBD, GPRS, Wi-Fi), this product can seamlessly adapt to any application you put in front of it.

With both land and marine versions of the product available, the SATMATE i30 can cover a vast number of installation outlines, including:

• Light vehicles and trucks
• Heavy industrial vehicles
• Mining support vehicles

But the installation capability of this product is just the start of the story...

The SATMATE i30 is more than just a standard tracking device; it has the intelligence to dynamically expand its functionality by utilising various technologies. Examples of value added capabilities include:

• Garmin Nuvi Navigators
• Personal pager units
• Engine monitoring systems
• On-board third party systems

With full integration into the mature SATMATE iTrack software suite, this product is positioned to offer you unparalleled capabilities. With a wide range of tracking hardware capabilities, combined with flexible airtime plans, ASTA offers a complete peace of mind solution. Henrik Jacobsen, Managing Director commented; “We believe that the SATMATEi30, with its must-have capabilities, together with ASTA’s complete service package provides customers with the ultimate combination from the trusted provider”.

ASTA is fully committed to providing its customers with the ultimate combination of exceptional products, outstanding service and top-quality support whenever and wherever it is required.

This story was featured on Satnews Daily, for the full story click here.

Applied Satellite Technology Australia (ASTA), a service partner of Iridium Communications Inc., announced the launch of the new Iridium Extreme™ handset for availability to ASTA customers. This new satellite phone is the most advanced, rugged handset on the market, with the ability to communicate the precise location of users across the globe. ASTA will also make available for purchase the Iridium AxcessPoint accessory that connects Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as smartphones, via Iridium’s global network.

AST Australia’s Managing Director, Henrik Jacobsen says, “We are excited to introduce these groundbreaking new products to our customers. Iridium has always been the gold standard in satellite handheld communication — these new devices add even more value and security for people working around the world, and we’re excited to be able to offer them to our customers.”

Iridium Extreme provides customers a single in-hand solution for voice, data, GPS, SOS, tracking and SMS — enabling them to make the connections that matter, under tough conditions, from the furthest reaches of the planet. Iridium Extreme is the smallest and lightest Iridium handset model ever released. It meets stringent U.S. Department of Defense Military Standard 810F for durability and is rich in capabilities, featuring the first dedicated two-way emergency SOS button on a satellite phone.

Iridium Extreme offers Partner Online Tracking Portals, with fully integrated GPS and location-based service capabilities for web-based location identification and tracking of employees, loved ones or friends. ASTA is bringing this solution to market with ASTA’s On-Sat Track solution, available now for integration and use with the Iridium Extreme.

“Iridium pioneered the satellite phone industry more than 10 years ago with the first handheld, commercial satellite phone,” said Matt Desch, CEO, Iridium. “Together with AST Australia, this launch is about more than just a satellite phone. While the innovative Iridium Extreme features a series of industry ‘firsts,’ including new, powerful capabilities and applications that work off the Iridium network, we are, at the same time, enabling devices that are already in customers’ hands with the introduction of the Iridium AxcessPoint.”

Iridium AxcessPoint is a lightweight, portable device that connects via USB cable to an Iridium phone (Iridium Extreme or Iridium 9555) to establish a Wi-Fi hotspot. Iridium AxcessPoint provides Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets and laptops, with connectivity from anywhere in the world through Iridium, the world’s furthest reaching network. Users can begin using Iridium AxcessPoint with Blackberry and Android phones instantly, and will be able to download the new Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web application to their iPhone/iPod Touch, and Windows and Mac laptops to accelerate their email and web surfing experience over the Iridium network. For more information on Iridium AxcessPoint, and Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web software, visit Iridium.com. Iridium AxcessPoint will be available with product availability for laptops, BlackBerry, and Android with iOS to be supported later in the fourth quarter 2011. Iridium AxcessPoint

Pricing is to be released this week for the Iridium Extreme Docks that include the LiteDOCK Extreme, PotsDOCK Extreme and the DriveDOCK Extrem. These are due to be available in limited quantities mid December and late January.

The Iridium Extreme is one of the toughest handset in the market, and puts more innovative capability, and more ways to connect than ever before, into the hands of people everywhere.

For more information on the Iridium Extreme Docks or the Iridium Extreme handset contact your account manager on 1300 660 084 or email us at sales@asta.net.au

Applied Satellite Technology Australia (ASTA), a service partner of Iridium Communications Inc., announced the launch of the new Iridium Extreme™ handset for availability to ASTA customers. This new satellite phone is the most advanced, rugged handset on the market, with the ability to communicate the precise location of users across the globe. ASTA will also make available for purchase the Iridium AxcessPoint accessory that connects Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as smartphones, via Iridium’s global network.

AST Australia’s Managing Director, Henrik Jacobsen says, “We are excited to introduce these groundbreaking new products to our customers. Iridium has always been the gold standard in satellite handheld communication – these new devices add even more value and security for people working around the world, and we’re excited to be able to offer them to our customers”.

Want to know more information? Click here, or download the Iridium Extreme press release.

Want to buy or rent the Irdium Extreme today? Call the office on 1300 660 084 or email us on sales@asta.net.au

Combined with your Iridium satellite phone, Iridium AxcessPoint creates a Wi-Fi hotspot, wherever you are in the world, enabling you to use your smartphone and/or laptop to check emails and stay connected to the office, or keep in touch with family and friends – anytime, anywhere. Usage charges are billed per minute once the Internet connection is established, until you disconnect your Iridium AxcessPoint.

Included with Iridium AxcessPoint device is Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web that accelerates email messaging and web browsing when used with Iridium satellite phones and compatible WiFi devices. You can draft and view emails offline, queue them up to be sent at speeds up to 15x faster than use of standard web-based email, and configure email size to minimize your connection time.

Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web can also be set up to retrieve emails from external accounts, ensuring that you are always connected to your office and family anywhere on Earth. Iridium AxcessPoint Mail & Web blocks pop ups, removes ads, background images and compresses the webpage for download speeds three to five times faster than uncompressed pages.

Want to know more? Call us on 1300 660 084 or email us at sales@asta.net.au or download the below brochure.

• [ASTA Product Brochure] Iridium Axcess Point

Thrane & Thrane, the world’s leading manufacturer of mobile satellite communication systems and one of its distributors, AST Australia, have extended the existing distribution agreement for SAILOR equipment to also include the new SAILOR 900 VSAT antenna system.

Richard Coston, Sales Director at ASTA said; “We are very pleased to have the SAILOR 900 VSAT in our VSAT portfolio. It greatly complements the rest of the SAILOR product range of broadband satellite terminals and will be an integral part of our customised VSAT solutions across all market sectors”.

The increasing usage of data on ships of all sizes has seen almost four years of tremendous success of the Inmarsat FleetBroadband satellite services and the SAILOR FleetBroadband user terminals, but it also reflects an increasing demand for maritime VSAT. For Thrane & Thrane that means a high-quality, high-performance, stabilised maritime Ku-band VSAT antenna, which has recently been launched. Ku-band satellite service is available both on single beams at competitive rates and as international multi-region coverage, which is still growing. The use of IP based applications at sea is expanding to the benefit of operational and cost efficiency amongst vessel owners and operators.

In the process of creating the SAILOR 900 VSAT, Thrane & Thrane started with recording ship motion data during all of 2010 in order to determine the real stress and vibrations happening on real ships. Jens Ewerling, Global VSAT Business Manager further explains: “Thrane & Thrane then built the industry’s only multi-axis Advanced Dyanmics Simulator which now allows us to apply the comprehensive data recordings and design a true maritime antenna based on actual ship dynamics.” With the quality and performance targets set, Thrane & Thrane were determined to improve on what was already available.

Want to know more? Click here to read the full press release or contact the Sales team on 1300 660 084 to find out more information.

The Australian Government recognises that access to mobile communications is increasingly important in providing social and economic benefits. The Scheme is a significant part of an ongoing commitment to improving the accessibility of mobile services in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia.

If you are approved for a subsidy, you will be able to buy a satellite mobile phone from a registered dealer for the retail price less the amount of the subsidy. Approved applicants can receive up to 85 per cent of the retail price of a satellite phone, to a maximum of $1000 (including GST).

For more information download our fact sheet below, if you have any questions contact our sales team on 1300 660 084.

• [ASTA Solution Guide] Satellite Phone Subsidy Fact Sheet

IMPORTANT: Do not buy your satellite mobile phone yet! You must wait until your application is approved and you have received the appropriate paperwork from the Government.

Please download and complete the below application form, any enquiries please call our Sales Team on 1300 660 084

• [ASTA Form] Satellite Phone Subsidy Form

Iridium Extreme offers new industry standards in ruggedness, water resistance and performance. In addition it is the first satellite handset to offer a sophisticated and purpose designed tracking option, with SOS button and support services to ensure you can be tracked and found if an emergency arises.

AST Australia is launching Iridium Extreme together with a bespoke tracking service, which can be offered to resellers to enable a ‘complete solution’ – handset, airtime & tracking.

Features Overview

• Smallest Iridium Phone Ever – 10% thinner, 7% lighter than the 9555
• Military Grade Durability – Meets MIL Standards 810F
• Highest Ingress Protection (IP) Rating in the Industry – IP65
• Programmable SOS Button – Adheres to specifications defined by Search and Rescue Regulating Body
• Tracking Option via Iridium Short Burst Data(SBD) or SMS - bespoke tracking portal and airtime tariff designed to maximise value of SBD
• Top Mounted Speakerphone & Wind Resistant Microphone

Iridium have considered the needs of all customer sectors and designed a phone that can be operated in the harshest environments and with new services bringing an additional level of users within the established satellite phone markets, from Military, Fishing & Marine to Mining, Explorers & Travellers alike.

Want to know more? Download the below brochure for full specifications or contact the Sales team on 1300 660 084 to purchase now

• [ASTA Product Brochure] Iridium Extreme

Rates start at just AUD $2.98 per minute - connection fees apply. Skype is free to download and works on a host of operating platforms.

Skype can even be used to call from your mobile phone to an Inmarsat phone or terminal using a ‘Skype To Go' number.

The low Skype call rates means that staying in touch with friends, family or colleagues on their satellite phone or terminal is now easier ever.

For more information and for the full pricing structure click here.

For more information on Inmarsat’s products and services please contact AST Australia.