O3b Networks to provide Ultra-Fast Internet Communications to Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. aboard the World’s largest and most innovative Cruise Ship
St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands/Miami, Florida – 23rd June 2012 – O3b Networks today announced a milestone multi-year, multi-million dollar agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service aboard the world’s largest cruise ship. By summer 2013, more than 8,000 guests, staff and crew members aboard the cruise industry leader’s flagship Oasis of the Seas – under the Royal Caribbean International brand – will be the first to enjoy O3b’s enhanced connectivity at sea as if connected to fiber at home or in the office.
A true technology innovator, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is the first to utilize O3b’s new maritime offering O3b Maritime, which delivers the reach of satellite and the speed and latency of fiber at a fraction of the cost of conventional providers. O3b is enabling maritime service providers to offer affordable fiber-like capacity across the Caribbean and ocean regions around the world. Providing unparalleled bandwidth, O3b’s steerable satellite beams will provide cruise industry passengers ultra-fast Internet communications throughout their voyage.
“Royal Caribbean is committed to delivering the most contemporary vacation to our guests, and that includes pushing ahead for onboard technological advances that offer the modern conveniences that guests enjoy on land,” said Adam M. Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “This milestone agreement with O3b Networks enables us to provide our guests with unprecedented Internet service at sea aboard Oasis of the Seas and potentially in the future aboard other ships in our fleet.
“From the moment we met the Royal Caribbean team we were struck by an intense customer focus and a determination to provide an unrivalled cruise experience to their guests on board” said Steve Collar, Chief Executive Officer, O3b Networks. “With O3b Maritime, Oasis of the Seas will experience connection speeds that are an order of magnitude higher and latency that is four times lower than offered in the market today. At O3b, we believe that affordable, high speed broadband should always be within reach – wherever you are in the world, on land and at sea – and we are delighted to showcase the unrivalled performance of O3b Maritime together with Royal Caribbean.”
Oasis of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship with sister-ship Allure of the Seas. With a cache of distinct onboard activities and amenities, Oasis of the Seas offers one-of-a-kind entertainment performances, culinary concepts, retail venues and technology innovations. An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas is divided into seven distinct themed neighborhoods, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas alternates a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
About O3b Networks Ltd.
O3b Networks is a global satellite service provider building a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, enterprise and Government customers in emerging markets. The O3b system will combine the global reach of satellite with the speed of a fiber‐optic network providing billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low‐cost, high‐speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity. O3b Networks’ investors are SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands.
About Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL) is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Pullmantur, CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture with TUI AG. The company owns a combined total of 40 ships and has one under construction and two under agreement. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, Europe and South America.
