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Broadband Service News

12 Mar 2023

Anglo-Eastern Rolling Out Starlink’s Maritime Broadband Service

60 Starlink satellites stacked together before deployment. Photo credit: Starlink/SpaceX

Anglo-Eastern announced its first formal installation of Starlink’s maritime broadband service within its managed fleet ahead of wider rollout in the months ahead.The installation is part of a preliminary order covering a dozen vessels of various ship types and trading patterns, trialed across a number of scenarios before broader roll-out in the coming months. The ship manager said it expects at least 200 installations across its fleet by year-end, with more to follow.“We quietly started our journey a year ago, when Starlink first announced its ‘RV’ service.

12 Oct 2022

Hurtigruten Expeditions to Install SpaceX’s Starlink Fleetwide

A Starlink terminal on board Hurtigruten Expeditions' battery-hybrid powered MS RoaldAmundsen. (Photo: Oscar Farrera / Hurtigruten Expeditions)

Hurtigruten Expeditions said it will be the first cruise line to implement SpaceX’s broadband service Starlink across its entire fleet.The expedition cruise line and its long-time connectivity partner Speedcast began testing and integration of Starlink terminals on board the operator's fleet of small-size expedition cruise ships in March. Installation will be complete by end of October, making Hurtigruten Expeditions the first cruise line to introduce the high-speed, low-latency connectivity across its entire fleet…

30 Aug 2022

Cobham Satcom Launches Two New THOR 7 Ka-band Antennas

Credit: Cobham Satcom

Cobham Satcom, provider of radio and satellite communications solutions to the maritime and land has expanded its SAILOR XTR portfolio with the introduction of two new Ka-band antenna systems for Telenor Satellite’s THOR 7 VSAT services.The one-meter SAILOR 1000 XTR Ka and 65-centimeter SAILOR 600 XTR Ka leverage Cobham Satcom’s most advanced VSAT technology platform to secure high availability of broadband service on the THOR 7 satellite, used for a full range of network applications…

11 May 2022

Inmarsat Launches Fleet Xpress for Shipyards

(Photo: Inmarsat)

Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat aid it has made its Fleet Xpress maritime broadband service available to shipyards. Installed during new building, Fleet Xpress for Shipyards eliminates time-consuming and costly installation works in port, offering owners a pre-fitted very small aperture terminal (VSAT) solution included in the initial cost of the vessel, the company said.“Fleet Xpress for Shipyards is a game-changer for shipbuilders and owners alike, streamlining installation…

20 Apr 2022

KVH Reflects on Five Years of Maritime Connectivity as a Service

(Photo: KVH)

For decades, the only way to bring global satellite communications onboard a commercial vessel was with a CAPEX-intensive equipment purchase or a long-term lease, inhibiting fleet managers’ ability to adapt to varied operational needs. That changed five years ago when KVH introduced AgilePlans Connectivity as a Service, an innovative, all-inclusive communications subscription service.“We set out to remove the CAPEX barrier and enable accelerated deployment of communications systems aboard vessels around the world,” says Mark Woodhead, KVH executive vice president of mobile connectivity.

23 Sep 2021

KVH Provides Global VSAT Connectivity to A.M. Nomikos Vessels and Crew

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that Greek shipmanager A.M. Nomikos has chosen KVH AgilePlans to provide VSAT connectivity for crew welfare and vessel operations. Nova Electronics, KVH’s service partner in Greece, has installed TracPhone V7-HTS antennas on three Nomikos vessels to date and is expected to continue the rollout of KVH’s AgilePlans service on additional vessels within the fleet in the coming months.“Crew welfare is very important to our company, and we expect the fast data speeds of the KVH systems and the reliable HTS network will be a great benefit to our seafarers and our shipping operations,” said Yiannis Sofianidis, IT Director for A.M. Nomikos.

23 Feb 2021

AecorLink to Deliver Internet to Wasaline’s Aurora Botnia

Aurora Botnia (Image: Wasaline)

Swedish maritime internet service provider AecorLink said it has been appointed to deliver highspeed Internet to Wasaline´s brand new ferry - Aurora Botnia.Wasaline has been using AecorLink broadband service since 2017, on the ferry Wasa Express. Wasaline has had the first long distance shore to ship, satellite free, highspeed internet connection to a ferry. AecorLink will provide an updated version of the shore to ship microwave system to match the stable, low latency and highspeed internet services offered to passengers on the new top modern ferry Aurora Botnia.

23 Jan 2021

Inmarsat Milestones: 10k Ships with Fleet Express Installed, 'Fleet Data Academy' Launched

Image courtesy Inmarsat

Ship data consumption is booming, and as digitalization and data trends increasingly drive the maritime world, Inmarsat celebrated a pair of milestones, hitting the 10,000 vessel mark on Fleet Xpress installations and launching its "Fleet Data Academy."Traffic DoublesAccording to Inmarsat, the growth in Fleet Xpress now includes the world’s leading container ship and tanker owners, such as MOL, K-Line and Hapag-Lloyd, offshore support giants like Bourbon, Tidewater and Maersk Supply, as well as growing numbers of yachts, passenger ships and fishing boats.

10 Dec 2020

Inmarsat's Most Powerful Satellite Enters Service

Mobile satellite communications company Inmarsat confirmed commercial service introduction (CSI) of its newest, most powerful geostationary satellite to date. GX5 is the 14th satellite currently in service with Inmarsat and provides additional capacity to Europe and the Middle East on the Fleet Xpress (GX) Ka-band high-speed satellite broadband service designed for the maritime industry.The satellite, launched in November 2019, delivers approximately double the combined capacity of the entire existing GX fleet (GX1-GX4).

26 Feb 2020

KVH Expands AgilePlans Service

Photo: KVH

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that AgilePlans Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) is now available as a regional offering using KVH’s ultra-compact, 37 cm TracPhone V3-HTS antenna. With data speeds as fast as 5 Mbps down/2 Mbps up, the TracPhone V3-HTS is designed to enable fishing vessels, workboats, and smaller commercial vessels to leverage fast and reliable Internet connectivity. The service includes new rate plans with no overage charges.The AgilePlans Regional service complements the AgilePlans Global service…

11 Nov 2019

Bourbon Commits 100+ Vessels to Fleet Xpress

(Photo: Bourbon)

Marine services firm Bourbon has signed a contract committing more than 100 offshore support vessels (OSVs) to Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress, the maritime broadband service that combines the speed of Ka-band with continuous back up from Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband operating on L-band.The deal represents a breakthrough offshore contract for Fleet Xpress, which is already installed on some 7,000 vessels - mainly seagoing merchant ships, the company said.“This contract is substantial in…

24 Oct 2019

KVH Ships 10,000th VSAT System

Photo: KVH Industries

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), a leader in mobile connectivity, has announced that it has shipped its 10,000th VSAT satellite communications system. This is the latest milestone for a company whose history of innovation in the maritime satellite communications industry began in 2007, when KVH introduced the TracPhone V7, the first maritime 60 cm VSAT terminal, and the mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service. Since that time, KVH has become the market share leader for maritime VSAT terminals (Source: Euroconsult…

20 Sep 2019

Iridium Certus Now Available as Companion to KVH VSAT Systems

Logo: KVH

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), has announced that the Iridium Certus service is now available from KVH as a companion for KVH’s TracPhone mini-VSAT Broadband systems. Iridium Certus is a next-generation L-band solution providing pole-to-pole global coverage and featuring small-form-factor, cost-effective antenna terminals. KVH’s VSAT systems include the TracPhone HTS-series, which provide data speeds as fast as 20/3 Mbps (down/up) to meet the connectivity demands of today’s commercial maritime vessels and global-voyaging superyachts.This companion solution…

22 Mar 2019

KVH Expands HTS Maritime Network

Vessels in Asia Pacific, U.S. Pacific Northwest, and other key shipping areas benefit from the latest satellite technology by using KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband HTS network.KVH Industries announced that it has expanded its mini-VSAT Broadbandsm HTS network to the Pacific Ocean via the Horizons 3e satellite, which is jointly owned by Intelsat and SKY Perfect JSAT. The high-performance Horizons 3e satellite immediately adds to the global coverage and capacity of KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband HTS network, which provides connectivity to vessels worldwide.

16 Jan 2019

Iridium Certus Service Goes Live

Iridium launched its Iridium Certus broadband service for commercial customers, the first new capability activated from the company’s $3 billion Iridium Next satellite replacement program.Iridium Certus is a platform designed for the development of specialty global broadband service applications, offering on-the-move internet and voice access, the mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe said.The service enables mobile office functionality for deployed teams and two-way remote communication for assets, autonomous vehicles, trains, aircraft and ships at sea. This also includes safety-of-life services…

09 Oct 2018

APSATCOM to launch IntelsatOne Flex in China

Intelsat announced that APT Mobile Satcom (APSATCOM) will become the first maritime solution partner to offer, in China, IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime services.This agreement will deliver a seamless global maritime network for APSATCOM’s customers, providing unparalleled throughput, improved economics, and easier access to broadband services.Under the new, multi-year agreement, Intelsat will provide IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime services, interconnection, and backhaul to APSATCOM’s data centers. The award-winning IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime platform is a seamlessly integrated managed service that offers multi-layered global coverage…

08 Oct 2018

Intelsat, APSATCOM Launch IntelsatOne Flex Maritime in Asia

Intelsat S.A. announced  that APT Mobile Satcom Ltd. (APSATCOM) will become the first maritime solution partner to offer, in China, IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime services. This agreement will deliver a seamless global maritime network for APSATCOM’s customers, providing unparalleled throughput, improved economics, and easier access to broadband services, the company said.Under the new, multi-year agreement, Intelsat will provide IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime services, interconnection, and backhaul to APSATCOM’s data centers. The award-winning IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime platform is a seamlessly integrated managed service that offers…

17 Sep 2018

Maritime Ports Pushed to Up Cyber Security

© Bits and Splits/AdobeStock

Resilience planning, Info Sharing Take Spotlight“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” That old chestnut gets turned on its head when it comes to port cyber security. It’s more like “Oh what a tangled web we’ve woven, so much harder to stop data stolen.”Ports today have the physical aspect of security pretty well nailed shut - gates, locks, fencing, alarms, cameras, drones, etc. As Chris Mason, Rajant Corp.’s director of sales for EMEA, notes, “Every…

30 Aug 2018

Unmanned Ships: Iridium, Rolls-Royce Partner on Autonomy

Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce Marine

As the global maritime industry increases the level of automation and ship-to-shore connection, the move toward autonomy is gaining steam in certain sectors. While it is generally agreed among industry insiders that full autonomous operations on ships traversing the world's oceans is a generation or more away, there are some significant strides being made on shorter, point-to-point inland and coastal routes, as well as evolving the technology in a manner that automates onboard systems to help reduce crewing and workloads.

29 Aug 2018

KVH & Intelsat: On the Digitization Fast Track

Image: KVH

While the ship owners and ship managers historically have eschewed the push to increase connectivity at sea, the path to efficiency in the digital age is paved with a robust, high speed and affordable connection. KVH and Intelsat are cooperating to provide all that and more.According to the Crew Connectivity 2018 Survey Report, based on a survey of 6,000 serving seafarers and sponsored by KVH Industries and Intelsat, approximately 75% of seafarers can no use the internet at sea, a 32% jump in three years.

06 Aug 2018

Uniwise Offshore Selects New High-speed Broadband Service

Offshore support vessel (OSV) operator Uniwise Offshore Limited has chosen a new high-speed broadband service to enhance the operations of its entire fleet of more than 30 vesselsUniwise Offshore will use Thaicom’s Nava enabled high-speed connectivity and solutions to focus on operational improvements, including optimized electronic document handling, as well as ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications for safer and more cost-effective operations. The company will also be able to improve its onboard communication services including crew welfare and fleet management.

05 Jun 2018

Iridium Attracts Maritime Service Providers for Iridium Certus

Iridium Communications Inc. announced that seven additional service providers have signed agreements to provide the Iridium Certus service for maritime applications. Globecomm, Network Innovations, Pivotel, MVS USA, IEC-Telecom, MetOcean and Samsan Enterprise Company now further broaden the base of Iridium’s distribution for its next-generation L-band broadband service. These seven companies will play a critical role in delivering what will be the fastest and most competitive L-band satellite broadband solution to the maritime industry, enabling a truly global “connected ship” environment. This announcement comes shortly after Iridium became the second-ever recognized service provider for the Global Maritime Distress Safety System (GMDSS)…

22 Jan 2018

Date Set for Fifth Iridium NEXT Launch

Iridium Communications Inc. announced that the fifth Iridium NEXT launch has been targeted by SpaceX for March 18, 2018 at 8:19 a.m. PDT from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The first of four launches planned for 2018, Iridium-5 will deliver 10 more Iridium NEXT satellites to orbit, bringing the total number of new satellites deployed to 50. This launch will use the same Falcon 9 first stage as the Iridium-3 launch that took place in October 2017 and begin a rapid-cadence launch schedule targeting completion of the Iridium manifest by mid-2018. "We are entering the home stretch," said Matt Desch, chief executive officer, at Iridium. "This is going to be a monumental year for us as we complete our constellation refresh.

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