Over 16,000 AmosConnect system licenses, designed for use with Inmarsat systems, as well as with Iridium data and Iridium RUDICS systems, have been issued and Stratos notes that the service is currently used by more than 100,000 officers and crewmembers for communication via e-mail, fax, telex, and GSM text.

Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said, "This major milestone is an excellent indicator of our ability to meet the maritime industry's need for integrated communications services that are cost-effective, reliable and easy to manage."

"Recruitment and retention of well-trained seafarers is among the chief concerns of chief executives at ship-management companies. With hundreds of new vessels being built each year, there is intense competition for qualified seafarers."

"One of the most effective ways to improve shipboard life for seafarers is to provide advanced voice, email and SMS communications systems that are powerful, economical, easy to use, and available away from the bridge."