Marine Link
Friday, March 29, 2024
SUBSCRIBE

Wireless Broadband News

19 Feb 2020

Alphabet Winds Down Makani

Alphabet, Google's parent company, announced that it is calling it quits on its efforts to build and monetize its Makani wind energy kites.Google acquired Makani, which developed airborne wind turbines and aimed to make wind energy more accessible and affordable, in 2013. Last year, the company spun it out of X and made it a standalone Alphabet unit.Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has reportedly been under pressure to cut losses from the company's 'Other Bets' category, which includes projects such as X, self-driving car service Waymo and wireless broadband project Loon. Last year, 'Other Bets' lost $4.8 billion, according to the Financial Times.Fort Felker said in his blog post that despite successfully demonstrating a flight off the coast of Norway last year…

02 Mar 2015

LTE Deployment Launched in the Gulf of Mexico

Industrial LTE wireless broadband services provider Infrastructure Networks, Inc. (INET) is deploying a pilot LTE system in the Gulf of Mexico. INET said its pilot deployment will be used to demonstrate the capabilities of industrial LTE wireless broadband service and coverage when coupled with 700 MHz spectrum that INET has leased from Verizon Wireless under the LTE in Rural America program. The pilot will be open to certain companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico that have expressed an interest in using the network for testing and planning larger LTE rollouts. Tarig Anani , CEO of Infrastructure Networks, said, "The pilot deployment phase of our LTE rollout will give customers an opportunity to test and preplan their own LTE deployments in lockstep with Infrastructure Networks.

24 Nov 2014

MSC Cruises Advance Onboard Wi-Fi System

MSC Orchestra Cruise Ship (Credit: MSC Cruises)

MSC Cruises has started a fleet-wide optimization installed by Marlink to improve shipboard VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) connectivity. MSC Cruises said it is the first cruise line in the world to benefit from the iDX 3.2 software and X7 modem from iDirect. Their cruise lines will receive enhanced service delivery and performance, resulting in higher allowance and richer end-user functionality for ship management, passengers and crew. After successful testing of the iDirect X7 modem in August 2014, Marlink began the rollout across the 12 ships of the MSC Cruises fleet in October 2014.

11 Jun 2013

Hermes Datacomms Scores a First in Myanmar

Hermes Datacommunications is now providing VSAT services in Yangon, Myanmar for one of the world’s leading Oilfield Service Groups. Hermes Datacomms has installed a stabilised antenna at the customer’s worksite, an offshore rig, and linked it back to Yatanarpon Teleport in Yangon, where the customer has telephone and internet access. The service makes use of Comtech “ACM” technology to provide robust and efficient service within the local tropical climate. The service is monitored 24/7 from Hermes global NOC, and local support and site attendance is provided by Hermes’ service partner in Yangon. "Myanmar holds very exciting opportunities for the oil and gas telecommunications sector," said Mohd Faizal Zainal Amri, General Manager, Hermes Malaysia.

10 Jun 2013

Inland Waterway Safety Advancement: Port of Pittsburgh & CONSUL Join Hands

Waterway Operations: Photo courtesy of CONSOL

CONSOL Energy & Port of Pittsburgh unveil a state-of-the art broadband network designed to Improve efficiency & safety on Inland waterways. Aboard its newly refurbished river fleet vessel, the M/V Safety Pledge, CONSOL Energy Inc. and the Port of Pittsburgh Commission have unveiled the first wireless broadband network deployed on inland waterways in the United States. Developed exclusively on Pittsburgh's three rivers over the past several months, this new neutral wireless broadband network…

15 May 2013

MTN and Norwegian Cruise Line Announce Social Media Record

MTN and Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian) announce that a new record for social media usage at sea was set during Norwegian Breakaway’s New York inaugural events. MTN delivered the communications services for its partner, Norwegian, enabling this social media breakthrough that helped promote the launch of Norwegian’s new ship. MTN partnered with Norwegian to deliver access to social media sites, as well as Norwegian’s social media mobile app specifically designed for the N.Y. inaugural events, to enable guests to share in real time their experiences on Norwegian Breakaway.

02 May 2013

Port of Pittsburgh Seeks New Technology Partners

The Port of Pittsburgh Commission (PPC) is building an innovative wireless broadband network along the rivers in Pittsburgh and is seeking partners to explore new applications for transportation, safety, security and environmental monitoring, according to James R. McCarville, Executive Director of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission. The project, called Wireless Waterways, consists of both the Network System Infrastructure (NSI), which will be scalable and expandable, and an Interoperability Test Bed (ITB). The project has been under construction for nearly a year by the PPC’s contractor, CONXX, Inc., from Johnstown, PA. The PPC will begin to conduct experiments within the Test Bed in June.

28 Jan 2013

Hybrid Broadband Solution for Nordic, Scandinavian Countries

Network Coverage: Image credit Ancylus AB

Ancylus AB & Net1 enter a strategic partnership to offer the Scandinavian & Nordic maritime market a hybrid broadband solution. The new Hybrid broadband solution is tailor-made for the shipping industry operating in the Nordic waters. By offering the Net1’s wireless broadband the vessels can get connected with high speed internet while they are close to the Scandinavian shores (50 – 60 nm) or in the ports, without any roaming issues. Once the vessels leave the reach of the wireless network the communication switches over to broadband via satellite, provided by Ancylus.

23 Oct 2012

Inland Leadership Means Embracing Technology

The Port of Pittsburgh’s state-of-the-art wireless network will eventually allow a myriad of users to collaborate, improve operations, maritime safety, security and a host of other tasks. Really: the cloud is the limit. This story weaves technology, leadership and innovation – all of it happening on the waterfront. The inland waterfront. If this sounds like something more closely associated with bluewater container shipping logistics, then you can be forgiven for getting lost in the moment.

11 Oct 2010

O3b Networks, Netcom-Africa Provide Connectivity

O3b Networks announced that the company has signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Netcom Africa, a provider of satellite and wireless broadband solutions to provide low latency, high capacity broadband connectivity to ships and offshore platforms in Nigeria utilizing O3bs Medium Earth Orbit technology. Nigeria is one of the world’s largest oil producing nations with most multinational oil and gas corporations operating in the region. Despite the availability of multiple submarine cable networks on the coast of the country, service providers have struggled to meet the unique needs of the oil and gas sector. The bandwidth will be delivered over the city of Lagos, the Niger Delta region as well as the offshore oil rigs that comprise approximately 50 platforms.

30 Nov 2009

Waterways – Intelligent Transportation System

The Port of Pittsburgh Commission has applied for a $35.21m USDOT TIGER Grant to deploy two communications technologies at 200 "Hot-zones" throughout the inland waterway system to create a Waterways – Intelligent Transportation System. The technologies include the Automated Identification System (AIS), which the USCG has deployed at major U.S. seaports and Wireless Broadband (WB), which, with greater bandwidth, can accommodate more business as well as governmental communication uses. The application received the backing of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the American Waterway Operators, but also has applications for maritime equipment manufacturers and river terminals. Announcement of the awards by DOT is expected between mid-December and mid-February.

04 Aug 2009

Ship-to-Ship Wireless Broadband Tracking

Broadband Antenna Tracking Systems, Inc. (BATS) has successfully demonstrated an industry-first ship-to-ship wireless broadband communications tracking system integrating its BTS-2500 units with two wireless broadband radios. The demonstration was conducted on the Sea of Marmara for a customer that is seeking a cost-effective communications tracking system with high bandwidth and low latency that can cover great distances for its fleet of ships. The BATS tracking systems were mounted on the main mast of each ship at a height of 16 meters above the sea. The live demonstration involved ships simultaneously moving at speeds up to 13 knots and at distances up to 44 kilometers apart. The RSSI was around -50 when the distance between the ships was under 20Km and -60 between 20-40Km.

31 Jul 2008

Becker Marine Systems Integrates OpenPortSM

Becker Marine Systems Communication has entered into a global distribution partner agreement with Iridium Satellite to integrate, optimize and distribute Iridium OpenPortSM optimized-bandwidth marine satellite systems. Under this agreement, Becker Marine Systems is fully integrating the Iridium OpenPort service with its unique umc.connect optimization server and its umc.global network managed services. This solution will be offered as “umc.connect skylink Iridium OpenPort+” to customers and partners. It will be completely integrated with the managed services of the umc.global network, providing one of the most comprehensive and universal communication solutions to the maritime industry today.

12 Jun 2002

GDS Contracts To Deploy Lightning Access System

General Defense Systems, Inc. has secured a contract to deploy the General Defense Systems (GDS) Lightning Access System, designed to improve information access for security systems at U.S. ports, including shipping container X-ray inspection systems. The first of these systems is to be deployed at the Port of Miami, offering a wireless broadband connection to the facility's existing X-ray container inspection system and providing real-time access to video cameras mounted on the X-ray system, as well as to the X-ray images as they are viewed. "Our Lightning Access System is another example of the integrated technology that GDS is implementing to assist in the improvement of information dissemination and access for homeland security," states Frank Fawcett, GDS president.

12 Jun 2002

General Defense Systems Enhances U.S Port Security

General Defense Systems (GDS) has secured a contract to deploy its Lightning Access System, designed to improve information access for security systems at U.S. ports, including shipping container X-ray inspection systems. The first of these systems is to be deployed at the Port of Miami, offering a wireless broadband connection to the facility's existing X-ray container inspection system and providing real-time access to video cameras mounted on the X-ray system, as well as to the X-ray images as they are viewed. According to GDS, by integrating broadband access for shipping container X-ray systems, the U.S. Government will gain the benefit of real-time remote access to X-ray imaging for increased technical support…

03 Aug 2005

Jeppesen Launches Marine Business Unit

Marine, its newest business venture. marine market with similar digital navigation and information solutions. trusted history,” said Tim Sukle, senior vice president, Jeppesen Marine. aviation and marine markets. solutions. aviation markets to marine markets. core aviation business,” said Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen president and COO. recreational boating market. and more. the coming years. navigation and other data to flow in real time to ships all over the world. aviation and soon-to-be maritime markets. weather services and aviation training systems. produce a full line of navigation solutions and global maritime data services. Russia. Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

09 Oct 2007

Singapore’s Seaport to be First Wi-Max-Ready

By early 2008, all ships in Singapore can have access to mobile wireless broadband, allowing real-time and data-intensive communications between the ships and their customers and business partners. Thanks to WISEPORT (WIreless-broadband-access for SEaPort), activities that could only be done onshore previously can now be achieved offshore as well, from regulatory filings, to broadband communications, to real-time access to navigational data. WISEPORT is one of the initial projects under theInfocomm@SeaPort program, which aims to provide a mobile wireless broadband network within 15km from Singapore’s southern coastline. WISEPORT will provide a low-cost, high-bandwidth and secure access.

21 Sep 2006

SeaMobile Signs Deal with HAL

SeaMobile Enterprises, a provider of at-sea communications, connectivity and content services, signed an agreement with Holland America Line. SeaMobile will provide wireless cellular phone and PDA services for Holland America Line’s guests throughout the world. Installations of wireless broadband communications equipment will begin on board Holland America’s entire fleet of 13 ships later this year. The SeaMobile communications service will allow guests and staff of Holland America’s ships to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea. SeaMobile’s proprietary technology is a sophisticated IP/software based solution that works with any type of wireless phone (GSM, GPRS or CDMA) used by the guest when accessing the SeaMobile network.

13 Jul 2006

SeaMobile, Crystal Cruises Sign Contract

SeaMobile Inc. signed an agreement with Crystal Cruises to provide communication solutions for its guests throughout the world. SeaMobile will begin installing wireless broadband communications equipment on board two luxury Crystal Cruises ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, later this year. The SeaMobile communications service is designed to allow guests and staff of Crystal Cruises to use their own cellular phones and wireless PDAs while at sea. Charges for calls and data services will then appear on the user's wireless bill from their home carrier. The simple-to-use, high-quality service is expected to complement a host of luxury services aboard the Crystal Cruises ships.

16 Jan 2006

Smiths Detection Enhances Rhode Island Port Security

Smiths Detection-LiveWave has been awarded a contract to engineer and deploy a prototype security solution for the Rhode Island Port Security Wireless Communications Network (RIPSWCN). As part of a one-year pilot program, the system will interconnect with land-based communications networks to allow government agencies and emergency personnel to share and distribute real-time data throughout Narragansett Bay. A collaborative project of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), the Rhode Island Department of Administration (DOA), the RIPSWCN partnership was created as a demonstration project funded by an $856,000 grant from the U.S.