Cellular Network News

Cyber-attacks on the maritime industry’s operational technology (OT) systems have increased by 900% over the last three years with the number of reported incidents set to reach record volumes by year end.Addressing port and terminal operators during an online forum last week, Robert Rizika, Naval Dome’s Boston-based Head of North American Operations, explained that in 2017 there were 50 significant OT hacks reported, increasing to 120 in 2018 and more than 310 last year. He said this year is looking like it will end with more than 500 major cyber security breaches…

The commercial shipping world can benefit from greater range of communications and reduced satellite costs. Domestic brown water operators know all too well that’s easier said; than done. Until now.In the fast moving world of blue water, deep draft shipping, the availability of reliable ship-to-shore communications has been a non-issue for at least two decades. More than ever, they need it. These longtime users of so-called ship management software and now, sophisticated remote monitoring systems that watch over even the most obscure minutia on board far flung 1,000 foot ocean liners, need (and get) robust and reliable communications.On the domestic, brown water side of the equation? Not so much.

The myriad benefits of gplink are well documented. Remote Monitoring and Tracking company gplink bills itself as the most capable remote diagnostic tool available for high horsepower systems. In a nutshell, gplink monitors commercial vessels and equipment, allowing users to detect anomalies before they turn into problems. Remotely monitoring, tracking and troubleshooting expensive and far flung assets is now a mature concept, reaching all marine markets. Without a doubt, gplink is in the thick of it. Easily configured to monitor the data points that matter most to you, there are literally dozens of applications that can be safely covered.

As Hurricanes Iselle and Julio approach the Big Island of Hawai'i, Liquid Robotics’ Wave Glider, named Holoholo, is swimming near Kawaihae Harbor north of Kona, in the path of the storm. Not only is the glider navigating through the impending storm, it is also tweeting photos as it develops. Check out the latest photos and weather reports at https://twitter.com/Holoholo_WG. The waves are getting big! The Wave Glider Holololo is communicating via cellular network. If the hurricanes impact the cellular towers, Liquid Robotics may be offline. liquidr.com

SATCOM’s Availability, Pricing and Utility tempts marine users left unsatisfied by limitations of cellular communication. The inland operator hoping to survive in tomorrow’s rapidly emerging business environment using cellular communications alone is likely to be, as a minimum, disappointed. In a worst case scenario, they may find themselves out of business. That said; there are options that inland transportation businesses can turn to when trying to effectively manage their far-flung businesses. One such option involves the KVH inland solution. According to Steve Griffin, Manager, Commercial Sales at KVH Industries, Inc., the launch of the TracPhone V3ip gave inland operators a solution that had not previously been made available to them…

Maritime Communications Partner (MCP) has strengthened its foothold in the Mediterranean through a major turnkey telecommunications contract with Corsica & Sardinia Ferries, one of Italy’s most prestigious ferry operators. The five-year contract covers Mobile Telephony, Mobile Internet, WiFi and VSAT for eight passenger ferries and plays a key role in supporting Corsica’s ongoing aims to provide crew and passengers with competitive wireless communications backed by a highly reliable quality cellular network.Corsica & Sardinia Ferries are one of the biggest operators on the Western Mediterranean Sea transporting about 3.5 million passengers annually aboard their ferries running to and from France and Italy to Corsica and Sardinia.

WheelHouse Technologies, Inc. has launched WheelHouse Mobile, designed to provide real-time maintenance alerts and maintenance update capabilities from any smart phone in the cellular network. WheelHouse Mobile is a customer-driven enhancement to WheelHouse, intended to provide a fast and easy way to receive maintenance alerts and update maintenance using their mobile device. WheelHouse Mobile takes advantage of smart phone technology and provides service wherever a cellular signal is available.

Broadpoint, a full-service telecommunications and network solutions company, announced that it will offer individual rate plans to offshore and marine employees in the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. Workers can now tap Broadpoint’s 100,000 square mile cellular network for voice, SMS and data service, keeping them connected while away from home for significantly lower service costs than with traditional mobile carriers. This latest innovation from Broadpoint was created to meet consumer demand for a more affordable and reliable communications source in the Gulf. Broadpoint’s prepaid rate plans have been designed with offshore and marine workers in mind.

Broadpoint has increased its number of cellular sites in the Gulf of Mexico by more than 30 percent, and said it will continue an aggressive schedule to add additional sites through the end of this year. In addition to expanding its core network, Broadpoint has made technology upgrades to its remote customer premise equipment and product offerings. The upgrades and additions to Broadpoint’s cellular network were made to improve service in highly trafficked areas and to add coverage in several new locations. As part of the expansion, the company now provides telecommunications service and network coverage in the Gulf’s deepwater areas for the first time. Broadpoint’s coverage area exceeds 100,000 square miles in the Gulf, and the company provides 24/7 customer service support.

Maritime Communications Partner AS (MCP), fully owned by Telenor ASA, has signed a contract to install and operate the cellular network onboard all ships in Princess Cruises, Cunard Lines and P&O Cruises Australia's fleet. The agreement covers 21 ships at the signing of the contract. The fleet of cruise ships has a total passenger capacity of approximately 45,000 people, as well as a crew of 20,000. The MCP service will allow everyone onboard to use their own mobile phones when sailing on the high seas.

Mercy Ships is a nonprofit organization operating medical relief ships that travel to the poorest countries of the world to perform medical services and community development programs. In order to serve such communities, the ships have three basic requirements: a place to dock, fresh water and telephone access. In these poor countries, it is very common to have a wired public phone system that is very old, overloaded, and not readily available at the dockside. However, GSM cellular service is generally available in the port area, so finding a way to use that cellular service has been a must for Mercy Ships. In their quest to access the GSM cellular service…

PetroCom LLC has begun construction and testing of the first digital cellular network in the Gulf of Mexico. Working with partners Siemens and Ericsson, PetroCom is introducing GSM technology to provide secure and high-speed communications for companies in the multi-billion dollar offshore industry. With offices in Houston, New Orleans and Lafayette, La., PetroCom is a cellular provider in the Gulf, with a coverage area stretching from Brownsville, Texas to Mobile, Ala. and as far offshore as 180 miles. For oil and gas companies, maritime operators and government agencies in the Gulf, secure and reliable communication is indispensable for remaining competitive.

As technologically advanced as communications have become, the bottom line, particularly for business applications, remains basically the same: the need for clear, reliable and cost-effective means to communicate. Trends in the transmission of data, voice and e-mail from ship-to-shore are much like that of land-based operations. The need for more speed and increased reliability are never ending, and the companies that excel are the ones that not only continually innovate, but those that consistently stay on the front of the curve to deliver real-world technologies that deliver benefits in the unique maritime operational environment. In parallel, price pressures are ubiquitous, as shipowners are keen to exploit every outlet to cut costs and generate revenue.

Venturi Wireless announced that PetroCom has deployed the Venturi optimization solution within its offshore cellular network. PetroCom operates a 100,000-square-mile GSM network in the Gulf of Mexico and maintains a variety of onshore/offshore satellite networks both domestically and internationally. Venturi Wireless is optimizing PetroCom's GPRS/EDGE network to ensure reliable and fast delivery of critical ship-to-shore data communications with Venturi's Adaptive Airlink Optimization(TM) technology. Venturi Wireless optimization is designed to deliver up to 7 times higher data access speeds as well as significantly improved reliability under poor RF conditions.

PetroCom is making great strides in repairing its communication systems that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Patched very small aperture terminal (VSAT) satellite and wireless systems that were quickly operational with ingenuity and resourcefulness are now repaired properly and working near capacity. “My staff has done an unbelievable job of improvising and thinking outside of the box to restore services. Our first goal was to patch communication trunk-lines and make them operational, which allowed us to evaluate the full extent of the damages,” said PetroCom President & COO Ken Wright. PetroCom’s DS3 fiber-optic connection has been repaired in New Orleans and VSAT satellite services are fully operational and capable of running at full capacity.