DigiGone has announced that its innovative video communications system and software platform has been approved for use with Thuraya's IP terminals. A leading mobile satellite services operator, Thuraya is actively rolling out the DigiGone satellite communications solution across their distribution channels in all vertical markets.

Optimized for narrowband satellite channels, DigiGone offers high-quality encrypted video and audio conferencing, video streaming, Voice over IP (VoIP), IM Chat and file transfer using a small fraction of the bandwidth needed for other commercial video telecommunication solutions.

The DigiGone system can be customized, depending on users' bandwidth speed requirements and their choice of audio and video quality. The bandwidth can be raised or lowered by the user at any time during the call, to meet user requirements for image resolution.

"DigiGone is an important addition to our current service offerings and an ideal tool to enable videoconferencing for Thuraya IP, IP+ and Maritime Broadband customers," said Randy Roberts, Vice President of Innovation at Thuraya.

"This cost-effective communications solution will be made available through our extensive network of service partners globally for use across a variety of vertical markets including maritime, energy and humanitarian NGOs."

DigiGone is especially well suited for maritime applications and is certified to work with Thuraya's Maritime Broadband terminal. The system is currently being deployed on commercial ships for applications such as videoconferencing, security and ship-to-shore crew welfare calling. The software can be installed on most PCs, laptops, tablets or smartphones in just a few minutes.

DigiGone has formed a strategic relationship with Maritime Medical Access (MMA) at The George Washington University to offer a complete subscription-based telemedicine solution for ships at sea. The DigiGone video link enables MMA emergency physicians to perform visual inspections of shipboard crewmembers to improve diagnosis and treatment. In many cases, this can avert the necessity of an expensive ship diversion or at-sea evacuation.

"DigiGone will provide secure video and audio transmission for videoconferencing to Thuraya's customers with satellite airtime costs much lower than other teleconferencing services," said Michael Dunleavy, President and CEO of DigiGone. "The approval from Thuraya enables us to expand DigiGone's global reach."