Terrestrial Networks News

Data usage on commercial maritime vessels has jumped more than threefold since 2019, according to new communications analysis by maritime comms specialist Inmarsat.Inmarsat said the study results underline the shipping industry’s reliance on digital connectivity to enhance operating efficiency and safeguard crew welfare during a period of unprecedented disruption to seaborne trade.The internal study undertaken by Inmarsat, which says it connects more vessels than any other provider…

Intellian received type approval from Inmarsat for its new FB250 and Fleet One L-band terminals, making it one of the first to market with user terminals for operation on Inmarsat’s catalyst L-band network, ELERA. The FB250 is a multi-functional terminal, either acting as a stand-alone primary communications terminal or combining with Intellian’s market-leading GX60NX and GX100NX to create the perfect Fleet Xpress (FX) solution. The Fleet One terminal is designed to provide an easy-to-install…

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…

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is set to make a sizeable contribution to the global economy by 2023. This is according to a new global study launched today by Inmarsat , the world’s leading mobile satellite communications company, which found that organisations, across the global supply chain, expect IIoT to be increasing their annual revenues by 10 per cent within 5 years.The Industrial Internet of Things is set to revolutionise how businesses function in the next few years. There will be significantly increased automation and operational efficiency through the use of real time data and machine-to-machine communication right across the planet.Access to reliable and resilient connectivity…

Whether it’s autonomous cars or connected houses, it seems like everywhere you look these days, internet of things (IoT) technology is a focus. Even in the conservative maritime world, IoT is currently a hot topic. Shifting supply chain solutions and business models are fundamentally changing the way that commercial shipping and the wider transport sector operates. IoT enables an organization to capture value from information, regardless of sector, and in essence forms a loop that creates a larger process. Deloitte conceptualized this process and named it the Information Value Loop in 2015.

Following a June 16, 2017, decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that requires ship owners and managers to incorporate cyber risk management into safety management systems established by the ISM Code, COMSAT has announced its suite of cybersecurity solutions for the maritime industry. Recent events have underscored the need to protect fleets from harmful cyber-attacks. The new IMO requirement must be met prior to January 1, 2021. COMSAT provides enhanced security for data transmissions…

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, today confirmed that the third satellite in the transformational Global Xpress (GX) programme – Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) – has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.44pm (BST) on Friday 28th August. The third Global Xpress satellite to be launched, I-5 F3, will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider. Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites have all been built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. in California.

Inmarsat, a provider of global mobile satellite communications services, has confirmed that the third satellite in the transformational Global Xpress (GX) program – Inmarsat-5 F3 (I-5 F3) – has been scheduled for launch at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.44pm (BST) on Friday, August 28. The third Global Xpress satellite to be launched, I-5 F3, will cover the Pacific Ocean Region and will, together with Inmarsat-5 F1 and Inmarsat-5 F2, create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single provider.

Inmarsat said that that it has expanded its Machine-to-Machine (M2M) portfolio by type approving the Hughes 9450-C11 terminal, the first mobile BGAN M2M-enabled terminal. It means that BGAN M2M — Inmarsat’s global, IP-based, real-time M2M data connectivity service — can now be offered as a mobile service, giving customers within industries like transportation and logistics, precision farming, construction and mining a completely new level of remotely managing and monitoring high value assets, such as heavy machinery. “We are excited about Inmarsat’s new mobile BGAN M2M capability and the Hughes 9450-C11 terminal,” said David Wigglesworth, Vice President, Global Internet of Everywhere.

Thuraya Telecommunications Company today launched the industry's most advanced satellite phone, the Thuraya XT-PRO. Targeted at professional users across a range of market sectors including government, energy, media and NGOs, the Thuraya XT-PRO is the only satellite phone to feature built-in GPS, BeiDou and Glonass for highest accuracy and added security in every region. The Thuraya XT-PRO has a talk-time of up to 9 hours, which is the longest on any satellite phone. It is jet-water, dust and shock resistant, ensuring it withstands the harshest environments. Its hardened Gorilla® glass display is the largest available on a satellite phone; and the screen is designed for glare resistance, which allows for optimal visibility in bright sunlight.

On February 4, 2014, the IMSO Director General launched an Consultancy Program inviting appropriate experts to assist in the evaluation of mobile satellite communications systems for the GMDSS. The IMO Maritime Safety Committee, at its 94th session in November 2014, agreed that IMSO should undertake the technical and operational evaluation of the Iridium mobile satellite system to assess compliance with the relevant criteria for recognition as GMDSS satellite provider, noting that IMSO would convene a Group of Experts from the abovementioned Consultancy Program. IMSO has formalized an agreement with Iridium Satellite LLC to perform such technical and operational evaluation and the IMSO Director General has reported progress to the IMO Sub-Committee on Navigation…

Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services, will complete another significant milestone in the delivery of its transformational global mobile satellite communications (GX) service with the scheduled launch of Inmarsat-5 F2 (I-5 F2) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 12.31pm (GMT) on Sunday 1st February. Inmarsat is investing US$1.6bn in the delivery of Global Xpress, which will create the world’s first globally available, high-speed mobile broadband service, delivered through a single network operator. Inmarsat’s 5th generation satellites – which form the GX network – have all been built by Boeing Satellite Systems International Inc. (“Boeing”) in California.

More so than many other fields of business, the maritime industry is focused on cost, which in turn gives the appearance of being conservative towards technology. Of course, we have magnificently technical ships operating with equipment that wouldn’t look out of place in a NASA lab, but in general, it can take decades for a technology to become mainstream. Unless it becomes mandated by the IMO. Vessel tracking is a partial exception to the rule though, with many fleet owners realizng its potential for more cost-effective operation and improved vessel and personnel security.

Iridium Communications Inc. announced an agreement with Trimble that expands the company's use of satellite communications in its core Transportation and Logistics (T&L) solutions beyond the North American market. Under the agreement, Iridium will provide satellite Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity services for Trimble's T&L solutions in Europe and several other regions of the world. Iridium, a long-time Trimble partner, already provides connectivity for Trimble companies PeopleNet and Geotrac, leading service providers in the Transportation and Fleet Management spaces. "The expansion of satellite based M2M connectivity services…

Iridium Communications Inc. today announced Iridium GO!, the industry’s first portable satellite hotspot that connects to any smartphone or tablet, dramatically extending voice and data coverage for personal devices when they are out of range of cellular networks. Iridium GO! creates a satellite-backed Wi-Fi zone anywhere on the planet, enabling up to five smartphones to make calls, get their email, text and use some apps, even when terrestrial networks are non-existent, unreliable or costly.

Globalstar says its Sat-Fi instantly turns any smartphone, tablet or computer into a satellite phone or data device. With Sat-Fi, Globalstar customers can use their existing smartphones and existing phone numbers to send and receive communications over the Company's satellite network, offering seamless voice and data connectivity when beyond the range of cellular. This new technology means that people who find themselves outside of cell coverage, for whatever reason, can use their existing smartphones or computers to always stay connected.

Maritime Communication Partner (MCP), a global provider of onboard communications solutions, has announced the recruitment of two highly experienced senior executives to lead its dedicated Offshore and Cruise and Ferry Business Units. Tom Lowehr, until recently the Head of Program Management at Astrium Business Communication, has joined as Senior Vice President (SVP) of the newly launched Offshore business unit, while Lars Munkso, formerly of US stock-listed energy services group Cameron, becomes SVP of the Cruise and Ferry business unit.

Maritime Communication Partner (MCP) has signed a three-year contract with leading offshore shipping operator Gulf Offshore Norway, owned by GulfMark Offshore Inc. The deal provides three vessels, all of which operate on the Norwegian Continental Shelf, with solutions enabling seamless mobile phone coverage and internet access. MCP is the first firm to offer this custom-made offshore solution to vessels operating in the North Sea. MCP, an established leader in the mobile communications market for cruise and ferry operators, is now bringing its expertise and proven global network capabilities to the offshore segment. Its new solution allows crews to communicate at sea as they would on land.

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…

Logica, the global solutions company, announced it has secured a GBP 6m contract to help develop future higher bandwidth satellite communications for global mobile satellite communications provider, Inmarsat Limited. This contract forms part of an over GBP 30 million programme with Thrane & Thrane, a leader in the market for satellite communications equipment, to build the satellite interface and other equipment that will allow Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (B-GAN) services due for launch during 2004 to be transmitted to and from terrestrial networks. Currently Inmarsat operates its Global Area Network (GAN) service which supports data speeds of up to 64 kbit/s, almost seven times faster than speeds offered by current GSM networks.

Matthew (Matt) Desch, Chief Executive Officer, Iridium Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), has been named Via Satellite’s Satellite Executive of the Year for 2011. Iridium boasted a strong performance in 2011 that exceeded estimates on nearly every metric. Financially speaking, the MSS operator grew in areas where it was not expected to grow, driven by its service, its technological innovation and its ability to be a catalyst to its ecosystem of development partners in an increasingly competitive sector and in new sectors, as well.

Abu Dhabi – Thuraya has launched a dual mode hand-held phone featuring both GSM and satellite capabilities. The introduction of this phone, branded XT-DUAL, makes Thuraya the only satellite operator to offer seamless communications, as the phone provides consumers the flexibility and freedom to switch between GSM and satellite modes wherever they may be located. The XT-DUAL operates as a standard GSM phone within the reach of terrestrial networks; and, when out of terrestrial network reach, operates as a satellite phone supported by Thuraya’s powerful network.