Lights, Camera — Action! Iridium's OpenPort® Opens High-Speed Communications in the Arctic

The real star of a six-month Northwest Passage Filming voyage appears to be Iridium Satellite LLC (Iridium) and Telaurus Communications LLC (Telaurus) which have teamed to provide satellite communication equipment and services for the six-month filming excursion. The voyage got underway from Rhode Island on June 13 and will end in Seattle on October 31.

The voyage’s vessel, the BAGAN, is equipped with an Iridium OpenPort®high-speed maritime communications terminal and Telaurus Se@COMM software. Iridium OpenPort enables the BAGAN to transmit critical voice and data communications in the Arctic Region where no other service is available, including services based on geostationary satellites. So, the captain and crew of the BAGAN are able to speak on the phone at the same time, even during data transmission. The Se@COMM communications software by Telaurus provides real-time messaging, and advanced compression and file transfer capabilities, giving maximum flexibility and control to both operators and crew.

“For maritime vessel operators, Iridium OpenPort is easy to install, simple to operate, reliable and efficient with three voice lines and a data port,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, Global Distribution Channels, Iridium. “And, of course, Iridium OpenPort was the natural choice due to its coverage over 100 percent of the Earth’s surface, including Polar waters. Though competitive service providers like to say they provide ‘global’ coverage, users such as the BAGAN crew are beyond the reach of geostationary satellite systems and, once again, Iridium is the only network capable of providing communications service to those operating in this region of the world.”

Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Sprague Theobald has assembled this team of sailors, divers and filmmakers uniquely suited to not only take on the challenges of an Arctic expedition, but to capture it on film in dramatic and compelling ways that highlight environmental and political issues surrounding the passage.

Theobald’s documentary objective is “to show what’s at stake and what we risk losing if we don’t take action now to preserve what’s left of the Arctic frontier.” In addition to preserving the Arctic’s natural beauty, Theobald will also use his Northwest Passage documentary as an educational piece encapsulating maritime history and Arctic environmental conservation opportunities.

“As the story of this epic voyage is documented, it is critical for the crew to be able to communicate it back to headquarters, as well as to stay in communication with family and friends,” said Malcolm McMaster, president, Telaurus. “We are pleased to be providing the hardware and software to enable communications in such a far northern location, where the crew would have otherwise been out of touch.”

Theobald will publish daily photographs, audio/video, and daily reports to the film’s Website, access this direct link. He hopes that, by making such live broadcasts like this to the Website and through TV and news partners, he will continue to generate support and awareness for the Arctic people, wildlife and habitat.

THE MOVIE
Over 100 years after the Northwest Passage was finally transformed by Roald Amundsen from the realm of legend, it is once again being viewed as a gateway to riches. According to the U.S. Geological survey, the Arctic contains 1/4 of the world's undiscovered energy resources. The sovereignty of the Arctic is in dispute, with five countries — Canada, Russia, the United States, Norway and Denmark — being recognized under international law. A race among these nations is underway for the Arctic's fish, diamonds, shipping routes and oil.

THE MISSION
Hole in the Wall Productions has assembled a team of sailors, divers and filmmakers uniquely suited to not only take on the challenges of an Arctic expedition but to capture it on film in dramatic and compelling ways that highlight environmental and political issues surrounding the Passage.