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Satellite Operators News

10 Nov 2021

Iridium Certus 100 Service Launched

(Image: Iridium)

Iridium Communications Inc. announced the commercially availability of its Iridium Certus 100 "midband" service for maritime, land mobile, IoT, aviation and government customers. Iridium Certus 100 provides a blend of capabilities for satellite connectivity, enabling small, low-profile antennas and battery-powered devices designed for maximum mobility, but with IP data speeds that efficiently support sending important pictures, emails and other vital information from remote places…

23 Jan 2018

Inmarsat Adapts Fleet Xpress for OSVs

© J G Ray / Adobe Stock

Inmarsat said it has launched a new set of Fleet Xpress plans designed specifically to meet the technical and commercial requirements of offshore support vessels (OSVs). According to Inmarsat , the new plan exploits high-speed connections and guaranteed performance to offer vessel operators levels of flexibility that are naturally suited to the demanding requirements of a high-end sector such as offshore support. As connectivity needs on board OSVs change frequently and swings in data usage are likely to be more pronounced than for conventional cargo ships…

25 Jul 2017

Broadband Demand

(Photo: Intelsat)

Satellite-based connectivity has always played a critical role for the maritime sector. As the communications expectations of ship owners, passengers and crews continue to grow, maritime service providers are seeing a transformation in the type and quantity of applications that need to be supported at sea. The advent of VSAT broadband services is driving a shift away from traditional, low-level L-band connections that ship operators have relied upon for decades. VSAT services are preferred to respond to the demand for high-speed broadband that can support bandwidth-intensive applications.

14 Nov 2016

A Definitive Guide to AIS

Image: BigOceanData

The world of AIS can be confusing to newcomers and experienced professionals alike. What is AIS? What data does it gather? How can it help my business? Do I need AIS if I don’t have a business? Class A or Class B transponders? Do I actually need it? There’s a plethora of questions from those looking to get the most out of their tracking tools, or from those looking into entering the maritime industry. The following is a comprehensive guide to AIS that covers a wide range of topics from specific AIS units to getting the most out of the data gathered.

27 Jul 2016

Can Bandwidth Supply Keep up with Maritime Demand?

The launch of Intelsat EpicNG 29e in January 2016. This is the first of the Intelsat EpicNG class satellites. (Credit: Intelsat)

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.

13 Jun 2016

MSC Cruises, Marlink Enhance Guest Connectivity

MSC Cruises, a privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America and South Africa announced that it has worked together with Marlink – the pioneer of business critical communication solutions for customers operating in remote environments – to launch a next-generation connectivity for MSC Cruises’ fleet with multi-band VSAT services. Working with Marlink, MSC Cruises will provide dynamic bandwidth to its 12 existing ships as well as the next-generation ships currently under construction, including MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside. No matter the itinerary of the ships, the bandwidth will be able to accommodate seasonal fluctuations…

23 Dec 2015

New Roles for Satcoms in Autonomous Shipping

Examining some questions regarding commercial autonomous and drone ships, as well as why VSAT currently presents the best solution for the communications and control of such vessels. The topic of autonomous shipping has been much in the news recently. We have seen, for example, the announcement in September 2015 that Inmarsat has begun participating in the Advanced Autonomous Waterborne Applications Initiative (AAWA) recently launched by Rolls Royce. This initiative is designed to move autonomous shipping from the drawing board to a commercial reality.

21 Jul 2015

The Maritime Launch of Big Data

(Image courtesy of ILS)

It’s no coincidence that Class standard bearer DNV GL’s incoming group chief exec, Remi Eriksen, is a former telecoms engineer who knows his way around Houston (IT) and Singapore (yards). After all, the satellite communications industry understands shipping. The reverse should also be true. Speaking ahead of his first day as CEO, Eriksen describes a future of “fast ships and slow growth” — not bandwidth growth, mind you. Satellite operators, network providers and other vendors are eying broadband for Big Data transfers.

30 Jul 2014

VSAT Connectivity by Globecomm for Malaysia's PBJV Group

Globecomm Maritime, a leading provider of maritime communications solutions, has been awarded a contract to provide VSAT connectivity to PBJV Group's barge Kota Laksamana 101. The barge, which accommodates up to 300 personnel, was recently chartered to Petronas, a fully integrated energy company based in Malaysia. Under the terms of the deal, PBJV is required to provide a dedicated 512kbps up and down link to Petronas staff working on board the vessel. Globecomm Asia Regional Sales Manager Kian Ong, who led the project, says the scope of Globecomm's solution exceeded PBJV's expectations, despite intense competition for the contract.

29 Jul 2014

Globecomm to Provide VSAT for PBJV Barge

Purpose-built accommodation and pipe-lay barge on charter to Petronas equipped with VSAT and L-Band services. Globecomm Maritime has been awarded a contract to provide VSAT connectivity to PBJV Group’s barge Kota Laksamana 101. Globecomm will provide Ku-Band VSAT connectivity with L-band back-up to the specialist vessel during its deployment in waters off Bintulu. The barge, which accommodates up to 300 personnel, was recently chartered to Petronas, a fully integrated energy company based in Malaysia.

19 Jun 2014

Maritime Communication: A Bold New Shape and Direction

Richard Simonian, president, maritime solutions, Harris CapRock Communications

Richard Simonian is the President of Maritime Solutions, a business unit within Harris CapRock Communications. MR picked his brain for insights on the shape and direction of maritime comms. We understand that you recently unveiled your Advanced VSAT solutions at Satellite 2014. Can you give us a brief on exactly what this is? The problem increasingly being faced by ship and rig operators is that their communication needs are dynamic, yet the traditional buying approach is static. They have had two choices.

07 Oct 2013

Telenor Selects iDirect as Ground Infrastructure Platform

Telenor Satellite Broadcasting (TSBc), a European satellite operator, and iDirect, a company in satellite based IP communications, jointly announced that TSBc has chosen iDirect’s new Velocity product line as the ground infrastructure solution for its new THOR 7 high throughput satellite (HTS). Using iDirect technology, TSBc will deliver a Ka-band HTS payload of up to nine Gbps of throughput across 25 spot beams, providing capacity over the North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Mediterranean, Baltic Sea as well as the Middle East. TSBc chose the iDirect platform for several reasons. The platform will enable automatic, seamless spot-beam handover across all beams on the THOR 7 satellite, ensuring continuous mobile connectivity.

01 Oct 2013

Harris Helps Prepare NOAA GOES-R Extreme Weather Satellite

International communications and information technology company, Harris Corporation, has delivered a system that will help prepare National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite operators for the new Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite – R (GOES-R) Series weather satellites, a primary tool for detecting and tracking hurricanes and severe weather. The new Mission Management Capability enables operators to prepare ground-based satellite command and control operations and processes more than two years ahead of the launch of the first GOES-R satellite. A NOAA and NASA team also will use the Harris system to test the command and control procedures with the satellite as it is assembled by mission partner Lockheed Martin.

25 Jul 2013

Intelsat GVF Training Surpasses 1,000 Sponsored Trainees

Satellite service provider Intelsat S.A. announced today that more than 1,000 industry professionals have undergone training in the Intelsat-sponsored Global VSAT Forum (GVF) training program. Primary and subcontractor bandwidth customers, third-party installers, field service organizations and operators supporting customers are eligible for free or discounted Intelsat-sponsored GVF online training. "By sponsoring training for our customers and connected organizations, we are helping them become more efficient while making an impact on reducing interference across the arc," said Intelsat's Ron Busch, chairman of the Space Data Association.

22 May 2012

Faster Broadband at Sea

Broadband for applications at sea is an area that is experiencing rapid growth and one that demands increasingly fast data transfer speeds. Levels of use are blossoming as communication, control and monitoring are increasingly being carried via onshore operative nodes. Inmarsat and Iridium, the two transmission systems currently in use, have reached their saturation point, and the next generation of satellite communication for the maritime industry is now starting to take shape. Several satellite operators are on the verge of launching global capacity to cover the world's seas.

08 May 2012

Telstra commits $1.5M for Iridium Equipment

Beam receives a $5 M commitment from Telstra for Satellite Docking Stations and Iridium Handsets. Beam Communications Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of World Reach Limited (ASX: WRR), announces it has received a commitment from Telstra to purchase a minimum of USD5.1 M of Iridium based satellite docking stations and product bundles over the next 12 months. The initial shipment (valued at USD1.65 M) is expected to be fulfilled by 30 June 2012, the balance being called upon as required over the 12 month period.

02 May 2012

Satellite IP Communications Conference for Prague Venue

iDirect brings its global satellite communications partners together to discuss industry trends and identify key opportunities and growth strategies. VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), will hold its second annual Global Partner Summit in Prague, Czech Republic from May 15-17. The event brings together iDirect's partners from around the world to network, examine industry trends, share insights about the future of satellite, and learn about key market developments. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology. This year's Global Partner Summit will build on the success of last year's event by bringing together more partners from around the world.

10 Jun 2011

MS&D 2011: Hamburg Conference on Maritime Security

Stéphane Beemelmans, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, is to open the second MS&D, international conference and exhibition on maritime security and defence hamburg, in Hall A4 of the Hamburg Fair at 9:00 am on Wednesday 15 June. Other speakers at the Opening of this three-day international conference are Senator Michael Neumann, Hamburg Minister of the Interior and Sport; Bernd Aufderheide, President and CEO Hamburg Messe und Congress, who will give a welcoming address; and Vice Admiral Axel Schimpf, Chief of Staff of the German Navy, who will give a keynote speech. The conference starts with introductory remarks by Vice Admiral (rtd) Lutz Feldt, Chairman of the Conference, which is split into two sections – a Security Panel and a Defence Panel.

14 Jan 2002

Telenor Finalizes Comsat Acquisition

Telenor has completed the acquisition of COMSAT Mobile Communications operations . Simultaneously to the acquisition, Telenor gathers all its mobile satellite activities under the new business area name Telenor Satellite Services, and becomes one of the world's largest global mobile satellite operators. COMSAT Mobile now becomes the U.S. Inc. COMSAT Mobile, has annual revenues in excess of $100 million. transaction transfers CMC's operations, including all employees as well as the two earth station facilities in Southbury, Connecticut, and Santa Paula, California, to Telenor. Additionally, in September 2000 Telenor purchased a portion of LMT's Inmarsat shares to become the largest single owner of Inmarsat Ventures plc, holding the maximum permitted stake of 15 percent.

15 Aug 2005

U.S. Satellite Industry Dominates

The market for commercial communications satellites is expected to be worth $25.4 billion over the next 10 years, according to Forecast International’s recently completed study "Commercial Communications Satellites: 2005-2014." Also anticipated within the next few years, is the long awaited rebound in the commercial communications market. Fueling this recovery will not only be the growing market for the application of key technologies and services to the commercial consumer but also government reliance on commercial capacity. Forecast International predicts that 224 commercial communications satellites destined for geostationary or medium Earth orbit will be constructed over the next 10 years, at an estimated total value of about $25.4 billion.

18 Dec 2008

Thrane & Thrane Uses iDirect Platform

VT iDirect, Inc., a company of VT Systems Inc, announced that Thrane & Thrane A/S has implemented the iDirect satellite communications platform to support its customers' growing need for high-speed connectivity at sea. Thrane & Thrane is a manufacturer of equipment and systems for global mobile communication based on satellite and radio technology. iDirect is a provider of satellite-based IP communications technology. Thrane & Thrane's newly launched Sailor 900 VSAT system provides a range of fixed broadband data packages, going up to 1024 kbps downlink/256 kbps uplink, and supports multiple voice channels at competitive rates. The system equips ship operators with always-on broadband connectivity to expand crew communications…