Greek passenger shipping company Anek Lines is to upgrade the cellular phone connectivity system on board all of its ships, adding new Wi-Fi capabilities, Ka-band VSAT and an improved mobile broadband backhaul set-up, following the agreement of a new deal with Telenor Maritime.
“Anek Lines focus on innovation and invest in a passenger-oriented approach, bringing a quality evolution into maritime transport, contributing to the development of the coastal shipping industry and establishing new routes in the Aegean and the Adriatic Sea,” said Yannis Vardinoyannis, Managing Director of Anek Lines.
“We have established our position as the leading power in coastal shipping through more than 50 years. The company is a key driver for economic, tourism, social and cultural development in Crete. We are observing the coming technological revolution in the maritime business with its digital transformation, giving us opportunities of additional operational benefits and new revenue streams.”
Anek Lines is the first Greek company to install this connectivity platform. Installation of the equipment will start in the second quarter of 2019, and is expected to be completed before the year’s end.
“This is an important step for Telenor Maritime’s service expansion into the Mediterranean, and we are delighted to partner up with Anek Lines, the largest passenger shipping company in Greece,” said Lars Erik Lunøe, CEO of Telenor Maritime.
“Mobile operators and technology have, through time, transformed how businesses operate. A state-of-the-art high-speed network will facilitate Anek Lines to carry out more innovation and efficiency improvement, benefitting from high-speed mobile coverage, with improved communications.”