Intelsat announced that Station 53, a supplier of integrated communications services to luxury yachts, has signed a multi-year agreement to provide voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), data and Internet service through Intelsat's GlobalConnex(SM) managed network. Station 53 is the first maritime service provider dedicated exclusively to providing communications services to the luxury yacht market to sign with Intelsat.

Station 53 will use Intelsat's Network Broadband Service to allow luxury yachts sailing in the Caribbean and in the Mediterranean high speed broadband Internet access at throughputs higher than DSL connections. Both networks, one for Caribbean and one for Mediterranean connectivity, operate simultaneously as the luxury yachts migrate seasonally between regions every year.

The service is provided out of Intelsat's Mountainside Teleport facility on the East coast using the IS-905 satellite located at 335.5 degrees E. longitude. By serving both regions on a single satellite, Intelsat provides Station 53 with a cost effective, bundled solution which simplifies the seasonal transition from one ocean region to another.

Sean Farrell, President of Station 53, stated, "Our customers demand always-on connectivity whether for work, recreational or safety reasons. Intelsat's robust network and reputation for reliability were key to our decision to select it as our single global provider. Prior to signing with Intelsat, our services were operating on multiple networks with multiple service providers, limiting our ability to fully manage our network. Intelsat has provided a one-stop-shop solution for all our customer communications needs."

"While Intelsat has provided services to other types of maritime vessels, such as oil and gas, cargo, research and cruise ships, our relationship with Station 53 gives us an opportunity to serve an entirely new market with reliable and powerful services," said Mark Rasmussen, Vice President, North American Network Solutions at Intelsat. "The yachting community will now have the 'luxury' of surfing the Internet, calling home via VoIP or running their businesses from the comfort of their own boats whenever they're sailing in these regions."