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Satellite Network News

15 Nov 2022

Intellian to Design and Supply User Terminals for Viasat Maritime

© tawatchai1990 / Adobe Stock

Satellite communications solutions provider Intellian has been awarded a contract to design and supply a bespoke range of Ka-band user terminals exclusively for communications company Viasat’s Maritime connectivity solution.In addition, Intellian will also develop a 100cm upgrade kit for Intellian’s NX Series VSAT maritime antenna. The conversion kit will enable thousands of vessels the opportunity to connect to Viasat services.The new 60cm and 100cm bespoke user terminals leverage…

05 Jul 2022

Maritime Communications: Easier, Faster, Cheaper

(Photo: David Clark Company)

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…

04 May 2022

Inmarsat Says Its 'Fleet Xpress Enhanced' Enables Digitalization, Decarbonization, and Crew Wellfare

Credit: Inmarsat

Maritime satellite communications company Inmarsat now offers a service called 'Fleet Xpress Enhanced', which it says enables digitalization, decarbonization, and crew wellfare for the global shipping sector,."Fleet Xpress, enhanced by Fleet Edge, brings together the best of Inmarsat connectivity solutions to help global shipping companies harness the full power of a connected maritime ecosystem," Inmarsat says."Shipping companies can harness the full power of a digitally connected…

01 Oct 2021

Academia’s Climate Change Challenge is Far from Academic

Mesobot, an underwater robot capable of tracking and recording high-resolution images of slow-moving and fragile zooplankton, gelatinous animals, and particles, is providing researchers with deeper insight into the vast mid-ocean region known as the twilight zone. © Evan Kovacs/©Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Highlighted in Marine Technology Reporter's MTR100 is the work and technology ongoing in the halls of academia. The most recent report released by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emphasized our warming planet, an expected announcement for many in the scientific community. Faced with the confirmation that human activities have caused an increase in global temperatures, research has turned to seeking answers in the planet’s natural systems. How does each part of the global carbon cycle work and how may it be impacted by the changing climate?

07 Apr 2021

Intelsat Adds Compact FlexMaritime 45cm Antenna Class

(Photo: Intelsat)

Satellite communications services provider Intelsat on Wednesday released a smaller antenna class for its FlexMaritime high-throughput satellite (HTS) service geared for leisure, fishing and commercial maritime vessels globally.The new maritime mobility solution enabled by the 45cm antenna is designed to bring a new level of broadband connectivity performance and affordability for fishing, leisure, tugs and other workboats, as well as smaller or coastal merchant ships, Intelsat said.Small enough to hand carry aboard vessels…

04 Jan 2021

MetOcean Wins USCG Contract to Supply SAR Buoy

Image Courtesy MetOcean

MetOcean Telematics (MetOcean) won a five-year blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to supply the United States Coast Guard (USCG) with its  search and rescue buoy, the Iridium Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy, also known as the iSLDMB.The United States Coast Guard is a a core-user of the iSLDMB, and during an active SAR event, the MetOcean iSLDMB allows Coast Guardsto quickly travel to the event location via aircraft and then deploy the buoys by air in the region of interest, helping to significantly reduce overall search time.

15 Dec 2020

Iridium's GMDSS Service Goes Live

© Suphanat / Adobe Stock

Satellite communications provider Iridium Communications Inc. announced Tuesday that its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) service officially went live on Friday, December 11, ending a monopoly held by rival Inmarsat and enhancing the integrity of global safety communications for seafarers globally.GMDSS is an internationally regulated service, governed by the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention. It provides life-saving assistance to seafarers in distress and has required equipment on board more than 60…

18 Nov 2020

SATCOM: Intellian Antennas get type approval from Telenor

Intellian’s v60Ka 2 (above) and v100NX Ka antennas are now approved for the THOR 7 satellite network.

Intellian announed that two of its  antenna systems, the v60Ka 2 and v100NX Ka, have gained type approval from Telenor Satellite for use on their THOR 7 Ka-band GEO satellite network. This means that the systems are now officially certified to take their place in service alongside Intellian’s v85NX, the first 85cm antenna to receive type approval on the network.The Intellian v100NX Ka is "future-proofed" according to the manufacturer, with a specially-tuned radome and reflector in anticipation of forthcoming 2.5GHz wideband Ka network services.

13 Jul 2020

COMSAT Bolsters Inmarsat Network

COMSAT Santa Paula, Calif. teleport bolsters Inmarsat network (Photo: COMSAT)

Satellite connectivity solutions provider COMSAT said it is extending the life of Inmarsat’s existing satellites through the leasing of an additional antenna at COMSAT’s Santa Paula, Calif. Teleport. The newly leased 12.8m antenna is transmitting and receiving in both C-band and L-band frequencies, bolstering capacity for the Tracking, Telemetry and Command (TT&C) and traffic operations of the Inmarsat satellite network. The Santa Paula teleport hosts Inmarsat’s Standard C equipment…

03 Apr 2020

Ice Chart Data Satellite Network to Launch in 2022

Photo: MARIOT

A newly established consortium is going to develop a network for low Earth orbit satellites delivering ice chart data to ships at sea. A new research project called MARIOT (Maritime IoT) is going to develop a low Earth orbit satellite network based on the new VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) technology. The consortium behind the project is headed by the Danish satellite operator Sternula. The satcom developers GateHouse, Space Inventor, and Satlab as well as Aalborg University…

27 Feb 2020

Cobham SATCOM Announces Software Upgrade

Photo: Cobham

Cobham SATCOM has announced the launch of its latest software upgrade for SAILOR 4300 L-Band, the first terminal in Cobham’s portfolio of Iridium Certus Connected range solutions. The unveiling of software solution 1.05 follows the delivery of more than 2,000 SAILOR 4300 terminals within the first year of service and enables users to upgrade to the new Iridium Certus 700, which offers data speeds of up to 704 kbps. Launched in 2018, SAILOR 4300 L-Band is a highly reliable link to the low-latency…

11 Dec 2019

Launch Partners Ready for Iridium's GMDSS

The Lars Thrane LT-3100S GMDSS terminal built for the Iridium network, planned for 2020. (Photo: Iridium)

Iridium Communications announced the first seven companies it has authorized to provide its Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) services, planned for commercial introduction in the first half of 2020. The seven companies, Arion Communications, AST, Marlink, Marsat, NSSLGlobal, Satcom Global and Speedcast will be the first in the industry to provide truly global satellite GMDSS service to mariners, and the first to offer a new choice in satellite network and equipment.

11 Nov 2019

Bourbon Commits 100+ Vessels to Fleet Xpress

(Photo: Bourbon)

Marine services firm Bourbon has signed a contract committing more than 100 offshore support vessels (OSVs) to Inmarsat’s Fleet Xpress, the maritime broadband service that combines the speed of Ka-band with continuous back up from Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband operating on L-band.The deal represents a breakthrough offshore contract for Fleet Xpress, which is already installed on some 7,000 vessels - mainly seagoing merchant ships, the company said.“This contract is substantial in…

05 Nov 2019

Thuraya Launches MarineStar

Photo: Thuraya

Thuraya has responded to strong demand from the maritime sector and distributors by launching the MarineStar, an affordable maritime voice solution with advanced two-way tracking and monitoring capabilities.Designed by the world’s most innovative provider of mobile satellite communications, the MarineStar is Thuraya’s new flagship voice terminal for entry-level maritime users. It is based on the same successful platform as other Thuraya voice hardware that have sold in excess of 1 million units to date.

21 Oct 2019

Interferry Conference Highlights Zero-Emissions

Guy Platten (Photo: ICS)

Acknowledging the need to be a leader in the transition to a lower carbon future and eventually net zero emissions, global trade association Interferry convened its 44th annual conference on the theme of innovation - exploring the potential to transform every aspect of the ferry industry. The drive towards zero-emission ferries captured major attention among a record 420 delegates drawn to London earlier this month by a wide-ranging technical, operational and commercial agenda.

19 Jun 2019

Intellian GX100NX Earns Inmarsat Type Approval

Photo: Intellian

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…

22 Mar 2019

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.

17 Sep 2018

Maritime Ports Pushed to Up Cyber Security

© Bits and Splits/AdobeStock

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…

04 Sep 2018

Marlink Launches Cyber Threat Detection Solution

(Photo: Marlink)

Marlink is unveiling a unique and intelligent threat detection solution for the maritime industry at SMM 2018 this week.Cyber Detection, the latest addition to Marlink’s fully integrated ship and shore-based Cyber Guard portfolio, monitors all outbound and inbound network traffic around the clock and enables customers to view threats affecting their vessels through an intuitive, web-based dashboard. In addition, customers may also set-up notifications on critical threats to be received by email and/or SMS.

03 Sep 2018

Panasonic Connectivity Services for TUI Cruises

Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) announced that in partnership with its subsidiary, ITC Global, it has been awarded a four-year contract by TUI Cruises for connectivity services to two new-build cruise ships, Mein Schiff 1 and new Mein Schiff 2.The agreement establishes communication capabilities onboard the vessels serving guests and crew, enhancing the user experience during the cruise line's travels across international waters. Germany-based TUI Cruises is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. Headquartered in Hamburg, TUI Cruises voyages sail across the globe from the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas in Europe…

29 Aug 2018

KVH & Intelsat: On the Digitization Fast Track

Image: KVH

While the ship owners and ship managers historically have eschewed the push to increase connectivity at sea, the path to efficiency in the digital age is paved with a robust, high speed and affordable connection. KVH and Intelsat are cooperating to provide all that and more.According to the Crew Connectivity 2018 Survey Report, based on a survey of 6,000 serving seafarers and sponsored by KVH Industries and Intelsat, approximately 75% of seafarers can no use the internet at sea, a 32% jump in three years.

23 Jul 2018

KVH Ships 8,000th Mini-VSAT System

(Image: KVH)

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.

19 Jul 2018

Commercial Maritime's Great Migration to VSAT

Malcolm McMaster, President, Globecomm Maritime

Shipowners who want to get the value out of data, applications and smarter shipping have realized that VSAT is the new L-Band, says Malcolm McMasterAt Globecomm we spend as much time as possible talking to shipowners about their communications needs. It’s always a rewarding conversation because we hear about what they actually do with bandwidth, which gives us insight into what systems and solutions might suit them best.Over the last decade that would almost always mean L-Band satellite systems; but this is changing.

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