Motive begins testing maritime BYOD service

Technology provider Motive Television has begun testing a bring-your-own-device maritime platform with two ferry lines servicing Greece and Italy, with plans to launch the service commercially next month. 

Motive last year teamed up with Athens-based Twin Peak to develop the service for the ferry services. The installation on the first ferries is currently being tested, leading to expected implementation in a matter of weeks.  At present, Twin Peak is in contract discussions with two Greek ferry companies who together operate sixteen ships carrying over 15,000 passengers per day.

Together with Twin Peak’s VoDo technology, the new joint platform provides video-on-demand movies and TV programmes for maritime services.

The agreement between Motive and Twin Peak contains a share of net revenues for Motive with a minimum guarantee in the first 12 months, subject to certain cumulative income benchmarks being achieved.  Ships will pay an installation fee including labour and equipment plus a per user share of revenue for VOD.

Motive said it is also in discussion with cruise operators in North America to launch a service this summer.

“Launching our first BYOD service commercially seven months after undertaking the development of this new product is quite an achievement.  The international ferry market, is huge, and BYOD should find great acceptance among passengers on three-10 hour journeys throughout Europe and the Americas.  Added to that, the growing cruise market represents significant growth opportunity for Motive,” said Len Fertig, Motive CEO.