Through their global network of 195 partners in more than 45 countries, SkyWave Mobile Communications has shipped over 355,000 terminals for tracking, logistics and security applications on land, sea and air

Founded in 1997, Ottawa-based SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc. is a global satellite telecommunications provider. Land-based hubs communicate through the SkyWave network on Inmarsat satellites to enable SkyWave product solutions to reliably track and monitor assets located in some of the most remote regions of the world.

SkyWave’s low-cost satellite communication terminals and network services are used in a variety of industries including transportation, fishing, oil and gas, and security. Applications for the products and services include fleet management, fishing vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and security monitoring.
SkyWave’s DMR satellite communication terminals are low-profile devices attached to assets such as trucks, boats and oil & gas equipment. The terminals communicate critical information, such as GPS location and sensor status using the SkyWave IsatM2M satellite network service.

SkyWave also offers integrated dual-mode satellite/GPRS terminals. The terminals provide cost-effective and continuous communications for mobile assets that roam between areas with and without cellular coverage. When in areas with terrestrial service, the SureLinx communication terminals use GPRS service to send logistic, operational and security information. When cellular service is not available, the SureLinx terminals seamlessly switch to the IsatM2M satellite network for security and continuous communication.

Through its acquisition of the GlobalWave business, SkyWave also offers the MT series of satellite communication terminals. These terminals offer the advantage of being extremely power-efficient for battery-powered applications such as container and trailer tracking and monitoring.
SkyWave sells its products through a global network of over 195 partners who provide industry-specific expertise in more than 45 countries across Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia and North America.

Why Ottawa

When the company was formed, SkyWave partnered with the Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC). As an agency of Industry Canada, CRC has a mission to be the centre of excellence for communications research and development and to provide technical expertise to small and medium-sized companies. By giving access to its machine shops and in-house engineering talent, CRC helped SkyWave with the design and prototype of its early satellite products, allowing the company to focus its resources on building global partner relationships. The company has since relocated its head office to the heart of Ottawa’s technology sector.

Business advantage

Since 1997 SkyWave has sold over 355,000 terminals worldwide. “More than ever, the market recognizes the value provided by dependable SkyWave satellite communication products and services for a broad range of mission-critical applications,” says Pui-Ling Stanley Chan, SkyWave CEO and Managing Director.
In addition to a 99.995per cent network reliability rate, benefits for customers using SkyWave technology include:

• One-stop-shop for low-cost hardware and air-time
• Global service over land and sea using the reliable Inmarsat satellite constellation
• Two-way communications to enable control of assets in remote regions
• Broadcasting capabilities that can communicate with multiple terminals at once and reduce the cost of managing field assets
• Power-efficient terminals that run for extended periods of time on battery power

Future growth plans

SkyWave continues to evolve its communication terminals and network satellite services to meet the growing needs of its customers. In 2010, SkyWave announced the availability of Flex messaging that will allow customers to send up to seven times more data with its DMR and SureLinx terminals.
SkyWave is also evolving its terminals to meet changing needs in the security market. SkyWave’s DMR and SureLinx terminals will now detect when malignant devices are being used and alert SkyWave customers to the hijacking or theft situation, providing an opportunity to respond accordingly.
Finally, SkyWave is further expanding its commitment and presence in the Russian market by offering customers tracking and monitoring terminals that have the ability to use both GPS and Russian Federation’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) to determine exact position information.

Contact information

SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc.

+1-613-836-4844

www.SkyWave.com 

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