Stena Line renews major agreement with MCP

Arendal/Gothenburg December 5th, 2008: Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) announced the renewal of a major 4-year management contract with the world-leading ferry operator, Stena Line for the deployment of maritime communications solutions onboard 16 passenger ferry vessels including two new super ferries. Services covered by the contract, which lasts until 2013, include GSM and GPRS. Stena Line also confirms future partnering with MCP to streamline dedicated wireless solutions to ship staff and unique SMS-driven marketing solutions to passengers.

"This contract maintains and builds a positive environment for our customers. Today, 95% of our GSM business comes from Voice and SMS, but we are seeing an increased volume of data traffic. Whether Smart phones or computers, passengers utilize wireless channels to check calendars, synchronize emails and tasks," says Hans Bjorkborg, managing director, Stena Line IT Services AB.

Every year over 16 million passengers travel with Stena Line on its Scandinavian, North Sea and Irish Sea routes. The company's route network consists of 18 strategically located ferry routes around Ireland, Britain, Holland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland and Germany. Routes are serviced by fast ferries, traditional combi-ferries, RoPax-ferries for freight and passengers and pure cargo ships.

Last year, the company carried over three million passengers on its Irish Sea routes alone and for the 16th time, won the prestigious Northern Ireland Travel News 'Best Ferry Company' title.

"Our market reputation is important and we want to provide consistent and modern wireless services. MCP is more than just a technical partner; they have very good engineers and in the past two years have become a very good business partner. The service is very reliable," states Bjorkborg.

Stena Line is eyeing other MCP services and hopes to apply several new MCP solutions in the near future.

"We are arranging workshops to look at PinPoint Messaging™. It is likely that we will run a series of pilot projects with MCP to adapt these applications to our business," adds Bjorkborg.

According to Bjorkborg, passengers must have a positive sailing experience and this means uninterrupted communication with mainland connections.

"We have partnered with MCP for 4 years and have experienced very reliable technical service, delivering a communication solutions embraced by the passengers" he says.

Stena Lines' two 1200 passenger RoPax super ferries, to join the Harwich to the Hook of Holland route in 2010, are included in the agreement.

"The agreement also includes provisioning GSM services onboard our two new super ferries. MCP combines technology and service solutions with a fully recognized international operatorship, handling all legal and regulatory challenges. Their wireless services and solutions and credibility enhance our competitiveness," says Bjorkborg.

With a society that is becoming on-line more than ever and customer demands increasing each year, Stena Line is looking for cutting-edge solutions that bridge communication services such as GSM, broadband access and telephony to the global carrier networks.

"We are a service company with business margins meaning that we must focus our resources on revenue opportunities from technology that exists, now and in the near future. We have financial benefits through the MCP partnership," says Bjorkborg.

"MCP is pleased with this contract and looks forward to continuing our business relationship with Stena Line," says Bernt Fanghol, MCP's Vice President of Business Relations.

Today's passengers expect to be able to walk onboard a Stena ship, communicating all the way from departure through to arrival. Providing the ability to do so is the definition of a value added service to the passengers and, also the crew.

PinPoint Messaging™ bundles wireless technology with savvy onboard marketing to provide passengers with the most comprehensive content and ship information on their handheld display.

PinPoint Messaging™ improves services provided directly to passengers and gives cruise operators real time passenger data for targeted marketing, sales and information purposes. Intelligent and relevant customized messaging and communications to each passenger via SMS directly to their mobile phones to boost on board sales.

"Through PinPoint Messaging™, passengers will be encouraged to provide feedback on their needs, decisions, and even emotions. Mobile and text options show passengers that operators are listening and want to provide them with the best ferry crossing," maintains Fanghol.

"We look forward to working together with Stena Line, streamlining our newest product PinPoint Messaging™," adds Fanghol.

About Stena Line:

Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry companies with a modern fleet of 35 vessels and Europe's most comprehensive route network consisting of 18 ferry routes in Scandinavia and around the UK. By constantly developing its products and services, Stena Line has achieved a strong position with significant market shares on all its market sectors.