Over 4,000 SSAS systems using Satamatics D+ http://www.satamatics.com Satamatics reports that there are over 4,000 ship security alert systems using the Satamatics D+ network, including Satamatics own SSAS products "Ocean Alert" and other products using the Satamatics SAT-101 transceiver, such as Transas's "ShipGuard". Satamatics operates its own Inmarsat D+ network; it does not buy airtime by the minute or kilobit (as with Inmarsat C) but leases the satellite bandwidth as a block. This gives it a great deal more control over the quality of service, security of the network and the pricing when compared to other systems, the company says. It also enables it to put together inclusive packages for shipowners, including the airtime for testing, hardware and online services, so they know exactly what they will be paying. Satamatics also believes that a security alert from an Inmarsat D+ terminal is secure. "It is well documented that an Inmarsat C terminal can be contacted by anyone, but more importantly a DNID (Data Network Identifier) can be downloaded to any Inmarsat C terminal without the knowledge of the ship owner," says Sandy Lumsden, SSAS product manager at Satamatics. "This renders the Inm C terminal susceptible to possible illegal intercept of alerts and position reports by third parties, a major concern for ship-owners." Satamatics notes that an Inmarsat C test alert sent by e-mail and SMS can cost up to $3.00 for each message with 3 recipients, whilst with Inmarsat D+ the price of testing is included in the overall price so it is clear at the outset. Satamatics also notes that the billing system with Inmarsat D+ is much clearer, because Satamatics bills for the product, airtime, testing and online service in a single one-off payment in advance. This compares to Inmarsat C based services where companies typically pay once for the hardware and then separately for all the messages which are sent via their airtime provider. The majority of companies take the 3 year package fit and forget, says Mr Lumsden. You dont pay extra for testing. Some companies say the running costs for Inmarsat -C is free but thats not actually the truth, he says. We prefer to let people know exactly what theyre getting for their money. SUBHEAD The network Satamatics uses four land earth stations, three based in the UK and one in New Zealand, so it has global coverage. The messages are transferred from each of the land earth stations to Satamatics via secure VPN backed up by two secure leased lines, so there is complete redundancy of the system. This is much more secure than sending e-mails which can get intercepted or lost, the company says. The Inmarsat D+ antenna is smaller than the Inmarsat C antenna, which makes it easier to hide on the ship from terrorists. The shipowner can access the messages using a standard web-based interface and control how the messages are passed on, by e-mail, SMS or phone call. This is different from other systems which pass messages onto safety services or flag authorities before contacting the shipowner, Satamatics says. Satamatics provides the shipowner with full flexibility as to how the messages are transferred to relevant authorities, with some flag states asking for both telex and fax, other flag states (such as the Marshall Islands) asking for a message with the shipowners mobile phone number as part of the text. For an additional fee shipowners can also use the device to track their ships, with 2, 4, 6 tracking reports per day, all over Inmarsat D+. Satamatics is based in the UK and has 32 staff, many experts in secure satellite communications. The company's origins stem from government defence communications. Much of its business is developing secure tracking systems for high value assets, with a lot of this coming from South America.