Cobham Satcom Unveils Ku-Ka Dual Band VSAT Antenna
Cobham Satcom, a provider of radio and satellite communications solutions to the maritime and land mobile sectors, has unveiled Sea Tel 1500, a 1.5-meter dual-band, multi-orbit VSAT antenna solution.Available in single Ku- or Ka-band, or as a ‘two antennas in one’ dual Ku-Ka-band configuration, the Sea Tel 1500 enables vessels to seamlessly switch from Ku- to Ka-band in a simple click. In a world of communication technology transition marked by the emergence of new satellite constellations…
Intellian Inks SatCom Deal with Speedcast
Satellite communications technology solutions provider Intellian announced a multimillion-dollar, multi-year partnership agreement with satellite communications service provider Speedcast, enabling the companies to collaborate in serving multiple markets with satellite connectivity, including the maritime and energy sectors.As part of the agreement, Intellian will continue to provide equipment to Speedcast as a preferred supplier, ensuring delivery to meet customer needs, despite volatile supply chain constraints.
Maritime Communications: Easier, Faster, Cheaper
In November 2021, GTMaritime published a white paper: “Maritime Communications - A look over the horizon.” The report, available here, is built around three broad Sections – 1. “Basics of marine Communications;” 2. “The connected ship;” and 3. “Special services.”Then, each Section presents a closer look at various topics. The “Basics” section, for example, covers regulatory issues established by IMO treaties and national agencies. It presents the terms and concepts that define satellite systems and networks…
KVH Launches VSAT Services for Vessels in Indian Waters
maritime VSAT provider KVH Industries, Inc. announced it has launched satellite connectivity services that will allow vessels to use KVH connectivity while operating in Indian territorial waters. In addition, KVH will offer satellite connectivity services to Indian flagged vessels. Station Satcom Private Ltd, an existing KVH service provider based in Mumbai, will be KVH’s distribution launch partner in India.“With the award of the license by the Department of Telecommunications of India…
Intellian Launches C700 Iridium Certus Maritime Terminal
Touting strong RF performance, Intellian said its newly launched C700 Iridium Certus maritime terminal can deliver out-of-the-box uplink speeds of 352kbps and downlink speeds of 704kbps by default, with equally impressive low-elevation-angle RF efficiency thanks to its unique 12-patch phased array antenna technology. It will support three high-quality, low-latency phone lines simultaneously; and as a solid-state antenna with no moving parts inside, the C700 is especially robust…
Inmarsat's LTE Network to Cover Gulf of Mexico Offshore Vessels
Global mobile satellite communications provider Inmarsat plans to extend its Fleet LTE coverage for offshore service vessels to the Gulf of Mexico.Inmarsat said that the decision to expand in the Gulf of Mexico followed successful trials with V.Ships Offshore in the North Sea area in early 2020."In conjunction with Inmarsat’s service provider One Net, the North Sea trials were undertaken with ship management company V.Ships Offshore at the beginning of 2020, delivering hybrid connectivity via 4G cellular plus satellite coverage on VSAT Ka-band and L-band…
Connecting Crew During COVID-19
Inmarsat Maritime President Ronald Spithout says providing crews with enhanced levels of connectivity and support is critical at this unprecedented time, and offers an insight into the work already underway with welfare organizations to assist seafarers in need.Given Inmarsat’s position as the leading provider of maritime VSAT and L-Band services at sea, it is hardly surprising that we have been alert to the direct connection between coronavirus and surging demand for crew voice call and data services.
North Sea: Inmarsat Targets OSVs
British satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat plc will extend its service portfolio for customers with the launch of Fleet LTE, following an agreement with subsea fibre and offshore LTE network operator, Tampnet.The new service which is primarily aimed at offshore support vessel (OSV) operators, but could also be used by fishing and ferry operators operating in the area, leverages low-latency, high data speed communications available via a dedicated Access Point Name (APN) on the Tampnet North Sea LTE network and could be extended to other regions such as the Gulf of Mexico if successful.Inmarsat’s new Fleet LTE service means customers can access high speed 4G…
KVH Ships 10,000th VSAT System
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…
Marlink, Intelsat Renew Connectivity Pact
Marlink and Intelsat have announced that the companies have agreed to a multi-year renewal and expansion of their partnership to provide broadband services to maritime vessels around the world. The multi-year agreement will deliver additional throughput to vessels via multiple layers of space-based coverage, ensuring that ship owners and operators have the flexibility and access to reliable, high-quality, always-on connectivity.Initiated in 2014, the partnership between Marlink and Intelsat enabled Marlink to enhance its extensive portfolio of maritime VSAT services.
Iridium Certus Now Available as Companion to KVH VSAT Systems
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…
Intellian GX100NX Earns Inmarsat Type Approval
Intellian has received Inmarsat Type Approval for the new GX100NX antenna, authorizing its use on the Global Xpress satellite network and for the Inmarsat Fleet Xpress service.Launched in May 2019, the GX100NX unlocks the full potential of Fleet Xpress, the world’s fastest growing Maritime VSAT service, empowering maritime customers with maximized RF performance and 10W high power BUC option to ensure high availability of Ka-band connectivity.The GX100NX is a new addition to Intellian’s expanding NX series…
Sovcomflot Selects Orange for Maritime VSAT
Russian maritime shipping company specializing in petroleum and LNG shipping Sovcomflot has chosen Orange Business Services to deploy an advanced Maritime VSAT solution on eight vessels.According to a press release from the the business services arm of Orange S.A., this initial rollout will keep the ships connected even when operating on the high seas, improving safety and optimizing navigation in challenging conditions.In addition, this solution will make it easier for crews to stay in touch with friends and family, which is essential to keep staff morale high.The first ships to receive the solution during this initial rollout phase are the Arctic shuttle tankers Mikhail Ulyanov and Kirill Lavrov, which are the largest oil tankers built in Russia.
Inmarsat, Hyundai Sign Digitalization Pact
British satellite telecommunications company Inmarsat plc has signed a business cooperation agreement that allows Hyundai Global Service (HGS) to offer ship owners and managers a total care solution route to maritime digitalisation.South Korea's HGS was established in 2016 by parent group Hyundai Heavy Industries as a digital transformation solutions provider to optimise ship operations and performance.The ground-breaking agreement paves the way for a cooperation that will include the use of Fleet Xpress Dedicated Bandwidth Services by HGS to support its digital services for ship owners, plus recognition of HGS as an Inmarsat Certified Application Partner (CAP).The formal agreement has been announced after the completion of trials on board three ships over a three month period…
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.
Marlink inks deal with O.A.T.
Marlink entered an agreement with Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.) to supply its satellite voice and data connectivity services for use on five adventure cruise ships in the O.A.T. fleet.Marlink will provide the O.A.T. Small Ships with a suite of solutions; equipment, bandwidth and operations to reliably meet and exceed guest voice and data requirements; uninterrupted voice and corporate connectivity to facilitate ship management tasks; and flexible connectivity services to…
KVH VSAT Shipping Reaches Milestone
KVH Industries shipped its 9,000th mini-Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Broadband system."The milestone highlights KVH’s position as a maritime VSAT market share leader providing satellite broadband connectivity to vessels around the world," said a press release from the US-based manufacturer of mobile satellite communications solutions.KVH’s TracPhone V-series antenna systems are designed to provide satellite broadband connectivity to commercial and personal vessels globally, by utilizing satellite technology like High Throughout Satellites (HTS).Ever since we launched our mini-VSAT Broadband network more than 10 years ago, our antenna systems have been in demand by the maritime industry…
FLIBS: KVH Introduces TracPhone V3-HTS
KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), unveiled the TracPhone V3-HTS at the Fort Lauderdale (FL) International Boat Show. Measuring just 37 cm (14.5 inches) diameter and weighing 11 kg (25 lbs.), the TracPhone V3-HTS is smaller in physical size than any other Ku-band marine satellite communications antenna on the market and is designed to provide faster data speeds (5 Mbps download/2 Mbps upload) than larger marine satellite antennas.The TracPhone V3-HTS’s fast data speeds, combined with its diminutive size…
Maritime Ports Pushed to Up Cyber Security
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…
KVH Industries Bullish on AgilePlans
The provider of mobile connectivity and inertial navigation systems KVH Industries said that it innovative Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program, 'AgilePlans', is fast-growing choice of global maritime fleets."Increased demand for the AgilePlans subscription-based Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program from KVH Industries has been the driving force behind the company’s unprecedented growth in VSAT unit deployments during the first six months of 2018, a timeframe when the maritime industry has been increasing its drive toward digitalization," said a pess release.KVH recently reported that it successfully shipped almost as many VSAT systems in the first six months of 2018 as it shipped in all of 2017.
AST Expands on Three Continents
Global satellite solutions and projects company, The AST Group, has recently opened new offices in Sydney, Rotterdam, Ecuador and Norwich, U.K. These new locations provide strategic bases for expansion in the maritime and land sectors and increase geographic reach.The company said Australia continues to be a success story, with growth gravitating to the East of the continent with Sydney becoming AST’s third Australian office.AST Marine Networks, a maritime solutions division of AST, has moved into larger premises based in Norwich, Norfolk to accommodate expansion in the maritime VSAT and L-Band sectors as well as opening an office in…
KVH Ships 8,000th Mini-VSAT System
KVH Industries, Inc. announced that it recently shipped its 8,000th mini-VSAT Broadbandsm system. The TracPhone V-series satellite communications antenna systems utilize advanced satellite technology, including the latest high throughput satellites (HTS), to meet the growing demand for more onboard broadband connectivity.“Our newest HTS systems are in high demand throughout the maritime industry, and build on the strength and reputation of our entire product line,” said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s chief executive officer.
Data is the New Oil and Satellites Are the Pipeline
As the shipping industry embraces digitalization, it’s time for a new era of fresh thinking that recognizes the potential of satellite communications in delivering financial, environmental and safety improvements. If shipping awarded a ‘word of the year’ in 2017, digitalization would have been a clear contender. The term has become a mainstay of commentary in maritime media and a key topic of debate at our industry’s conferences and exhibitions. But the reality is that digitalization is more than just a word or catchphrase that’s captured shipping’s attention.