MTN launches live event streaming

Florida-based MTN Communications has launched MTN OceanCast, a high-definition system for live event streaming from maritime vessels. The program offers an end-to-end program management option for concerts, tournaments, interviews, educational sessions, charter events or emergencies, which can be broadcast live to smartphone, tablet, TV or other device.

“This turnkey Web solution can be set up to stream in as little as 15 minutes with a simple touch-screen device on the ship connected through a modem to the MTN network,” said Chris Leber, executive vice president of commercial business development for  MTN. “Our production services team can customize the streaming to the customer’s specific needs.”

The company conducted its first OceanCast with Lindblad Expeditions as it conducted an expedition aboard M/V National Geographic Explorer in South Georgia. James Balog, founder of the Extreme Ice Survey whose work was featured in the documentary “Chasing Ice” did four live-to-tape interviews to North American network and affiliate news programs.

In other news, MTN has released a calling app for maritime crew. OceanPhone Mobile uses existing wi-fi infrastructure on vessels with the MTN network for calls and messages. The app runs independently of other subscribed services.

The app offers lower-priced calling for app-to-app calls or messages, free text messaging, a dedicated personal telephone number, personalized mailbox and access to existing contacts.

“Crew are one of the most valuable assets to any vessel’s operation, and are on the vessels for months at a time,” Leber said. “Extending our OceanPhone product, which is already on 96 vessels around the world, to a mobile app was a natural evolution.”

The app is available free from the Apple or Google Play app stores. The user then can purchase an OceanPhone Mobile plan at www.oceanphonemobile.com.