Two technology companies have formed a partnership to reduce voice calls between ships and shore centres by 40%
Shipping companies can cut the cost of voice communications between ships in the fleet and shore offices by up to 40% using voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology.
This comes from using a VoIP service that offers clear quality and reliable calls at a flat-rate price. VoIP uses internet connectivity to transmit the voice call from one terminal to another, these being computers, smartphones or VoIP-enabled bridge terminals. In ship-to-shore communications, this is achieved over satellite connectivity or coastal 3G/4G networks where available.
Maritime navigation technology developer GNS has teamed up with software platform provider FrontM to deliver clear shore-to-ship voice calls at lower costs than the industry average.
FrontM provides artificial intelligence platform, Edge AI and VoIP connectivity, while GNS provides shipowners with its Voyager series of navigation and money transfer products.
GNS has developed Voyager Voice using FrontM’s VoIP capabilities. GNS chief executive Paul Stanley said this service “opens up significant opportunities to manage shore-to-ship communications more cost-efficiently” by routeing voice calls through the internet.
Voyager Voice was developed specifically to enable shipping companies’ shore-based personnel to cost-effectively connect and collaborate with vessel-based teams.
Shore-to-ship calls using Voyager Voice cost a flat-rate of US$3.60 per minute representing a saving of at least US$2.40 per minute on most mainstream voice-calling tariffs, said GNS.
Office-based users can call vessels using the Voyager Voice website. This can be accessed on smartphones using a downloadable application.
Voyager Voice has a vessel telephone directory to enable users to quickly and easily find the right number to call.
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