Satellite Bandwidth News

Digitalization in the maritime industry continues to grow. Technology is constantly evolving, providing organizations with new ways to transform and manage their operations with adoption of technology creating first-mover advantage and future relevancy, and positivity impacting margins. The offshore services industry has been a major driver in the trend towards utilization of remote inspection and monitoring technology for Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance (IRM) of critical assets and infrastructure.

As maritime operators deal with challenging operating conditions, many are embracing digitalization as the most reliable way to lower operational costs and improve vessel efficiency.According to research conducted by Lloyds List Intelligence and Ovum, two-thirds of vessels use digitalization systems onboard. According to the executives surveyed, this is being driven by a desire to improve operating efficiency, with 88 percent already working toward that goal. As part of the process…

Carnival Corporation & plc will establish a new industry apex in connectivity capabilities today at sea when it attempts to make an unprecedented level of bandwidth available to guests on board Regal Princess from its Princess Cruises brand. Using its newly developed connectivity service, MedallionNet, and working with SES Networks, the world-leading provider of satellite-enabled connectivity solutions, Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises will attempt to achieve bandwidth of 1.5 gigabits per second, the most ever delivered to a mobile platform. The record attempt will demonstrate that connectivity is no longer a limitation to cruise vacations. Guests using MedallionNet have access to the internet at speeds that eclipse typical land-based hotel connectivity performance levels.

Marlink has added the first out of four additional Stena Line ships to its multi-band communications network. Marlink now serves the entire fleet of Stena Line vessels, ensuring high levels of connectivity for passengers and crew, in addition to operational applications and commercial businesses on board. Marlink will also further increase available capacity to Stena Line vessels with an additional 10-15%, following the tripled bandwidth increase in June 2016, ensuring that Stena Line can meet the on-going growth in demand for bandwidth at sea.

Ship connectivity, smart data and cybersecurity will be central themes on the agenda at the fifth SHIPPINGInsight Fleet Optimization Conference & Exhibition. The annual maritime technology forum and trade show will take place at the Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa in Stamford, Conn., October 18-19. “The confluence of high-capacity satellite bandwidth and new ship analytics programs is enabling unprecedented capabilities for actively managing ships at sea to improve efficiencies in operation and reduce costs,” said SHIPPINGInsight co-director Jim Rhodes. “Ship managers are now able to extract actionable data from ship sensors and systems to identify trends and anomalies and make smarter business decisions for optimizing their assets.

In the next few years, demand for bandwidth on the high seas will grow, in no small part due to technology that is making operations more efficient and keeping crews and passengers healthy, happy and connected. Just a few years ago, a cruise-going family might have brought a single laptop computer and maybe a cell phone aboard. Today, cruise companies find that the average family shows up with 10 connected devices. And within the commercial maritime sector: crew members, away at sea for months at a time, are hungry for a robust connectivity experience to stay in touch with family and friends.

Stena Line’s ferry passengers are set to experience new levels of communication services following a upgrade to the VSAT connectivity on board, says Marlink, who has more than trebled the bandwidth in Stena Line’s fleet-wide Closed User Group (CUG) service and integrated GSM 3/4G services for connectivity during voyages in addition to in-port Internet Wi-Fi networks. The upgrade enables Stena Line to offer its passengers faster Internet speeds to meet the growing demand for access to social media and connectivity for working while travelling.

EMC has entered a long-term strategic agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to deliver a faster Internet experience and premium entertainment over satellite to meet the rising expectations of cruise passengers, with demands for home-like performance and content. EMC’s recent innovations put satellite connectivity on par with meeting these skyrocketing needs, enabling Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands to provide an exceptional quality of experience for their guests. Following the 2015 MTN acquisition, EMC has fully integrated its innovation of highly valued patents, maritime experience and unparalleled network coverage to provide the highest quality of experience and satisfaction to passengers.

We wish we had a dollar for every time we heard or read the words Big Data at the Nor-Shipping exhibition last month. We might even have collected enough cash to buy a round of expensive Norwegian beers for the gang at the Fridtjof bar. Seriously, Big Data is one of the most talked-about subjects at maritime industry gatherings. At Nor-Shipping there were no fewer than half a dozen panels and conference sessions focusing on the role of Big Data and analytics in commercial shipping.

P&O Ferries and MTN Communications (MTN) announce the delivery of high-performance Internet connectivity and access to online content through the first Wi-Fi hot spot on the English Channel. This service is now live on the English Channel on ferries serving the P&O Ferries Dover-Calais route. These vessels are reportedly the first ferries in the world connected to the MTN Terrestrial Broadband Network (TBN), in addition to having back-up satellite connectivity, as many cruise ships do today.

After launching its Terrestrial Broadband Network (TBN) just more than one year ago, MTN Communications (MTN) announces the number of TBN-connected cruise ships has doubled and covered regions have tripled. Since the MTN TBN kick-off in Alaska in the Summer 2013 cruise season, several MTN partners, including Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, are leveraging this new technology to enrich their passenger and crew communications experience. Thanks in part to this new technology, the MTN hybrid network now delivers approximately 10 Terabytes of data daily.

The global cruise industry and its fleet of increasingly large, ultra-modern ships is projected to continue its steady growth in 2014, powered by growth overseas, particularly in the German market, as well as the adoption of faster, stronger and generally better satellite communication technology that is moving toward the level of seamless, cost-effective communication connections that can be expected at a land-based vacation destination. The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA)…

MTN explains that this advanced hybrid network enables satellite and terrestrial broadband connectivity for higher performance connections on large vessels both at-sea and in-port. With approximately 4,000 guests and 1,600 crew, the new cruise ship Norwegian Getaway is the first to showcase one of the most visionary communications solutions at sea today. While sailing in the open sea is a remote experience, guests and crew members don’t want to leave their “connected lives” back in port.

DigiGone announced the introduction of a new videoconferencing service for crew welfare communications aboard ships at sea. The company’s new DigiCrew package enables the transmission of high-quality video via satellite, allowing crewmembers the freedom to see and communicate with family and friends ashore, no matter where their voyages take them. The service can be used for audio-only or text messaging as well. “Now, for the first time, there’s an affordable videoconferencing service for crew, optimized for transmission over narrowband satellite service,” said Michael Dunleavy, president and CEO. “Imagine the joy of being able to see your wife’s face or blow a kiss to your daughter on her first birthday from thousands of miles away.

Next-generation remote powers high-bandwidth applications, unleashes the performance of high throughput satellites. VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems Inc. (VT Systems), has announced key performance statistics for the Evolution X7 remote, the first in a family of next-generation remotes that have been optimized to deliver best-in-class Adaptive TDMA throughput performance and operate with high throughput satellites. Built on an entirely new multi-core hardware system…

Comtech EF Data Corporation announce that its Advanced VSAT Solutions received the 2011 Product of the Year Award from Satellite Spotlight, a leading website delivering satellite technology news, operated by TMC. The Advanced VSAT Solutions portfolio provides high-performance satellite-based communication solutions for a diverse range of applications, including mobile backhaul with RAN optimization, IP trunking and backhaul, maritime and offshore networks, corporate and enterprise networks, emergency and disaster recovery. Incorporating advanced technologies developed by Comtech EF Data, AHA Products Group, Memotec and Stampede, the solutions provide unmatched performance, industry-leading bandwidth efficiencies and network optimization, while minimizing total cost of ownership.

The historic expedition to the Mariana Trench’s lowest point, the Challenger Deep, which lies 6.83 miles (10.99 kilometers) below the ocean surface, is the first extensive scientific exploration in a manned submersible of the deepest spot on Earth. Piloting the Deepsea Challenger, which is outfitted for scientific exploration, James Cameron will conduct tests, collect samples, and document the experience in the high-resolution 3-D for which he’s known globally. Working for the Deep Sea Challenge project's communications provider Telstra…

Marlink, maritime satellite communications integrator, has signed a 60-month agreement to provide the Sealink Maritime VSAT solution to the Norwegian Offshore company Solstad Shipping. The Solstad fleet of 23 vessels will use Sealink Maritime VSAT and other services from the Marlink portfolio. In recent years, Solstad has evaluated several alternatives to the Sealink VSAT services, but the flexibility of the Sealink Services, together with the support that Solstad Shipping receives from Sealink Operation (Eik Teleport)…

Marlink, a Vizada company, announced an agreement to provide the Sealink Maritime VSAT solution to Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM). Marlink will equip 30 Wilhelmsen Ship Management vessels with Sealink, a global maritime VSAT turnkey solution, offering "always-on" Internet access and Local Area Network (LAN) communications at a fixed monthly price. charges. Wilhelmsen Ship Management currently manages approximately 300 ships, of which 185 are under full technical management. seagoing personnel. Wilhelmsen Ship Management has tested the quality and reliability of the Sealink system over a 12-month period on board their roll-on roll-off vehicle carrier, the MV Tampa.

Despite the critical role of the maritime industry in laying the fiber that connects the world to the Internet, the maritime industry itself relies almost exclusively on satellites for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship connectivity. However, the networking protocols used to transfer data between computers do not operate efficiently over satellite links. This is especially true at the higher data rates that are starting to become more prevalent for ship-based connectivity, but even at low bandwidths, the noisy links typical of mobile satellite systems prevent the efficient use of expensive satellite time. Fortunately, a new class of products…

Despite the critical role of the maritime industry in laying the fiber that connects the world to the Internet, the maritime industry itself relies almost exclusively on satellites for ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship connectivity. However, the networking protocols used to transfer data between computers do not operate efficiently over satellite links. This is especially true at the higher data rates that are starting to become more prevalent for ship-based connectivity, but even at low bandwidths, the noisy links typical of mobile satellite systems prevent the efficient use of expensive satellite time. Fortunately, a new class of products…

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…

Stratos Global Corporation announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2001. The Corporation is reporting revenue for the fourth quarter of US $80 million, representing growth of $46 million over $34 million for the fourth quarter last year. For the year, revenues were $289 million, up $171 million over 2000. Gross margins as a percentage of revenues improved from 32 percent last year to 37 percent in 2001. Operating income before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization and transition and other costs ("EBITDA")1 was $19.2 million for the quarter and $62.9 for the year. This represents an increase of $14.2 million over the same quarter last year and an increase of $54.3 million over last year.