Maritime Communications Partner - Onboard Mobile Cellular Communications

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) is the world's first provider of maritime cellular communications technology (CellAtSea™) to the cruise ship, passenger ferry and offshore markets.

As a ship based operator, MCP's service enables travellers at sea to use their cellular phones as if they were on shore. Calls and data transfers are made on the passenger’s own phone and telephone number, utilizing their own wireless subscription.  

Established in 2002 by local entrepreneurs and pioneers in the Norwegian shipping trade, MCP is ideally located in Grimstad, on the south-eastern coast of Norway. Situated in the very heart of Norway’s shipping industry, the company is surrounded by ship-owners, maritime and offshore engineering companies, as well as leading companies within IT and telecommunications.

A high density of expertise within shipping and telecommunications in southern Norway has made it possible for MCP to hand pick its staff. Some of the most highly skilled experts within the mobile switching community work at MCP. Indeed, many of MCP's employees have previous experience as developers at the core of Ericsson's mobile switching platforms for GPRS and UMTS, as well as on remote support projects for telecommunication network operations.

CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS FOR MARITIME SERVICES

As the only fully recognised international cellular operator for maritime services, MCP handles all legal and regulatory challenges associated with the unique technology and service solutions it provides to its customers.

The CellAtSea™ service ensures that cruise ship and ferry operators receive full GSM and CDMA onboard access. Passengers receive seamless, global, cell phone connectivity while at sea. Cell phone coverage onboard ships is achieved by linking the ship’s radio network to public networks via satellite. The service requires next to no effort from the ship and ship owner organisation, as MCP installs, supervises and maintains the necessary equipment to provide the cellular service on board.

MCP provides its customers with new and untapped sources of revenue and extended wireless services e.g. SMS (crew paging, passenger information), system information (system monitoring, vessel tracking, call statistics), and GPRS / data (MMS, Blackberry etc).

MCP's service, CellAtSea™, is unique. It is based on in-house state-of-the-art technology which also ensures that prices per call on the CellAtSea™ service are comparable to what people pay when calling home from abroad. The billing process for the onboard wireless service is handled by the passenger’s own wireless operator and charges will appear on their regular wireless phone bill.

Today, MCP has roaming agreements with cellular operators worldwide and provides wireless telephony services onboard more than 40 ships. To support the successes in both the European and North American markets, MCP has established offices in Miami, Florida, to provide MCP’s rapidly growing client base with a highly professional and personalized service.