Private Mobile Networks (PMN) provide a Maritime GSM Solution that is easy to install, uses the passengers' and crew's existing mobile phones and can provide a revenue opportunity for the vessel operator.

Using a local PMN on the vessel, calls between crew or passengers while on board are managed locally, without additional authorisation being needed.

When calls are made to shore they undergo a USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) through a shore-based pre-paid platform. If the mobile phone SIM has credit, then the call is allowed. Time restrictions are implemented on low credit. USSD is a technology unique to GSM. It is a capability built into the GSM standard for support of transmitting information over the signalling channels of the GSM network. USSD provides session-based communication and works on all existing GSM mobile phones.

Since, in a Maritime situation, the up haul is typically a satellite link, all calls are compressed and headers stripped from them when being passed over the link to shore in order to make efficient use of the available bandwidth of the link.

Once on shore, both PSTN and mobile network access can be provided. The call is received by the satellite station, passed to a hub connected to a pre-paid platform with the ability to direct calls over least cost routes in the network.

• Once outside of the port area, crew and passengers on cruise ships and ferries often find it difficult to get a mobile signal.
• Provide greater customer service and a new revenue stream by offering a private GSM onboard your vessels.
• Create a private GSM using Private Mobile Network technology and this network will provide connectivity for mobile users on the ship at all times.
• Customers will be able to make calls on the ship to each other and calls back to shore over the ships satellite link on a pre-paid basis.
• All that is needed is a GSM network covering the ship and for passengers to be issued with a replacement SIM card for their existing mobile phone for use while at sea.
• Calls between crew or passengers while on board are managed locally without additional authorisation being needed.
• Calls to phones on shore undergo a USSD through a shore-based pre-paid platform. If SIM has credit then the call is allowed, Time restrictions are implemented on low credit. For greater efficiency of use of satellite bandwidth, all calls are compressed and headers stripped from them when being passed over the IP Link to shore.
• Once on shore, the call is received by the satellite station, passed to a hub connected to a pre-paid platform with the ability to direct calls over least cost routes in the network. Both PSTN and Mobile network access are provided.

Private Mobile Office
No Call Charges on a Private Low Power GSM Network within an Office, Campus or Site

Private Mobile eXchange
Replicating a GSM Network in Software