Astrium Services survey says more seafarers want, need Internet connectivity at sea

Astrium Services has just released the results of a recent crew communications survey. According to the survey, a growing number of seafarers consider on-board Wi-Fi connectivity to be indispensable. They are even willing to pay for connectivity so that they can access social media and other popular web destinations on their mobile devices -smartphones, tablets, and laptops- while travelling aboard maritime vessels.

Astrium Services commissioned the Crew Communications 2012 Survey in order to obtain the latest data data on crew communications requirements. Stark Moore McMillan served as the Company's consultants during the survey.

The survey investigated the availability of communications for crew during the third and fourth quarters of 2012. It questioned 960 Filipino seafarers, of 88 percent of whom where general crew and the rest being officers.

According to the survey, 68% of seafarers are now able to use some form of communication service most or all of the time when at sea. In addition, nearly the entire crew can use the shipboard SATCOM system to make voice calls on occasion.

More and more seafarers are requiring access to data communications these days. The survey white paper opines that owners will experience greater success in recruiting and retaining crew if they provide free or low-cost Internet access aboard their ship through broadband connectivity and Wi-Fi connections.

In addition, the survey notes that there is a growing deficit in qualified officers since 2005. To both increase their chances of recruiting from the limited pool of talent and improve staff loyalty, shipping companies need to offer strong crew welfare packages that include connectivity.

Fortunately, hybrid networks with VSAT and MSS can now provide reliable, cost-effective connectivity required by shifting patterns of communication usage. Satellite communications makes it easier for shipping companies to provide such connectivity.

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ViaSat ships 500th VR-12 ultra-small VSAT Ku-band antenna

In delivering the five hundredth unit of its VR-12 Ku-band airborne ultra-small satellite communications antenna with integrated ArcLight technology, ViaSat has achieved a new milestone in the military and general aviation markets.

ViaSat designed its VR-12 SATCOM antenna for service aboard aircraft that could only accommodate onboard communications equipment limited in size, weight, and power. Despite its compact size and light weight, the VR-12 is capable of handling media-rich applications, which require advanced broadband SATCOM capabilities.

Furthermore, ViaSat designed a “hatch-mount” version of the VR-12 airframe system. This version is an integrated antenna system and radome package that can be dropped into the escape hatch of a C-130 transport aircraft.

Other versions of the VR-12 installations are tail mounts for planes such as the PC-12 (U-28) and commercial Gulfstreams, and a fuselage mount used for MC-12W aircraft in government service.

According to Paul Baca, the General Manager for ViaSat Global Mobile Broadband, the VR-12 proves that larger antenna designs are not always the way to go. GM Baca says that the ultra-small 30-centimeter aperture of the VR-12 accomplished numerous successes in the installation of Ku-band satellite communications systems. He explained that ViaSat was designing a Ka-band antenna version of the VR-12 to handle traffic from the growing number of Ka-band satellites.

COMSYS report states that iDirect leads VSAT maritime market

The latest edition of the COMSYS Maritime VSAT Report asserted that iDirect has secured leadership of the maritime VSAT market. The Company's lead remote terminals comprise nearly half of the maritime market and the installation rate for its VSAT systems is also more than twice that of their rivals.

COMSYS further reported that iDirect’s satellite communications platform is used by 14 of the largest 20 maritime service providers. These companies also happen to be the leaders in cruise, oil and gas, and almost all other major market segments.

The report covered recent developments in the maritime VSAT services market. It ranked iDirect as the foremost leader amongst ground infrastructure providers. The Company has formed partnerships with several significant satellite operators, and is becoming the go-to platform for high-throughput services such as high-speed Internet on satellite.

COMSYS also noted that iDirect is challenging SCPC for leadership of the market for bandwidth intense applications. IDirect is offering its new X7 remote, which greatly boosts the capabilities of its Evolution system to support higher data rates.

In addition, COMSYS reported that increasing demand for additional bandwidth has caused market revenue for maritime VSAT to grow by 9 percent during 2010 and 2011. The total revenue is approaching $1 billion, and the market is expected to experience further vigorous growth over the next few years. The number of marine vessels in service is also expected to double by 2016, and more than 26,000 VSAT systems will be serving aboard that expanded fleet.

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SES, Astrium Services renew capacity deal, extend maritime VSAT coverage, services

Vessels plying their trade in Latin America, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden will be pleased with the announcement from SES and Astrium Services about renewed deals to provide satellite capacity for maritime VSAT systems in those regions.

Astrium Services has agreed to renew capacity on the SES-4 satellite. The renewed bandwidth will be used to provide managed services for maritime business communications, tracking equipment, and engine performance. It will also serve to maintain lines of communications between crewmen at sea and their loved ones at home.

The capacity of several SES satellites, including SES-4, allows Astrium to customize its satellite communications services for the specific needs of the maritime industry. For example, its new agreement with SES will allow the Company to provide reliable VSAT coverage for offshore oil and gas platforms in Brazil and East Africa.

The footprint of SES-4 spans from the Arabian Sea to the South Pacific Ocean. It also covers the Gulf of Aden, allowing it to extend connectivity to VSAT-equipped customers in areas plagued by pirates. It can provide the same connectivity to Europe-based fisheries, transportation, and recreational maritime customers.

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Marlink promises VSAT installation, set-up within 24 hours or less

Satellite communications provider Marlink is promising its customers that its personnel will only need 24 hours or less to install and set up a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system aboard a ship. Ship engineers and crews will be able to connect their vessels to Marlink’s WaveCall VSAT service right after installation.

Marlink has developed a system to install and commission its satellite antenna in less than a day. The Company has deployed a centrally-managed global network of field engineers and service partners. Those field engineers can board a vessel during a scheduled port-call and set up the WaveCall VSAT system within 24 hours.

The optimized installation service minimizes or even eliminates any disruption done to the operational schedule of a vessel. All the operator and owner of the ship have to do is to prepare certain aspects in advance.

Marlink ensures the total transparency of all of its deliveries and installations. Customers can use Marlink's online portal to track the status of their vessel's VSAT installation.

Furthermore, Marlink issues a customer installation document that serves a twofold purpose: To confirm that all equipment has been delivered; and to check if the antenna pedestal, rack mounting, cabling, power connections, and gyro connections have been properly prepared.

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Inmarsat installs XpressLink VSAT systems on TORM A/S cargo fleet

Inmarsat cinched a mobile satellite communications service contract with TORM A/S, a Copenhagen-based carrier of refined oil products and dry bulk cargo. Inmarsat has already installed XpressLink SATCOM systems on 17 of TORM's bulk carrier and tanker fleets. The remainder of TORM's fleet will be equipped over the next three years.

TORM required high speed communication to enhance its efforts in streamlining its shipping operation and optimising maritime and land-based resources while also reducing costs. Inmarsat's XpressLink solution manages itself, allowing TORM to focus on ensuring efficient operations and superior customer value.

In addition, TORM had been planning to migrate from C-band satellite communications to the higher-capacity Ku-band. XpressLink not only facilitated the move, but also provided a future proof solution through its upgrade path to Global Xpress.

Inmarsat's XpressLink combines separate VSAT and FleetBroadband wireless into a fully integrated and managed maritime SATCOM solution that delivers unlimited data availability anywhere in the world. XpressLink can manage and support end-to-end ship and shore communications by tapping Inmarsat’s established global infrastructure. Its dual system design ensures a very high level of redundancy and is capable of maintaining 99.9% uptime.

In addition, when Inmarsat begins commercial operations of its planned Global Xpress Ka-band satellite constellation in 2014, XpressLink will have its bandwidth doubled for free. XpressLink's services will stay at the same fixed monthly rate, ensuring it remains viable as a low-cost, high-speed satellite communications solution.

Harms Bergung equips tug fleet with Inmarsat XpressLink broadband-VSAT system

Harms Bergung will equip the Inmarsat XpressLink hybrid VSAT-wireless communications platform on its anchor handling tug fleet, according to an announcement by Inmarsat.

DH-INTERCOM served as the broker between Harms Bergung and Inmarsat. A German maritime communications specialist, DH-Intercom is one of the first XpressLink distributors ever approved by Inmarsat. It is also an Inmarsat service provider with Gold accreditations. The XpressLink contract it recently brokered would be DH-INTERCOM's second such successfully contract in Germany.

Based in Hamburg, Harms Bergung provides transport and heavy lifting maritime services. Installing the Inmarsat XpressLink platform gives its fleet a fully-integrated hybrid Ku-band and L-band wireless and satellite communications solution for a fixed monthly cost.

XpressLink's FleetBroadband L-band service supports always-on data speeds of 768kbps while its maritime VSAT service provides a committed information rate of 192kbps. The dual system enhances the security and capability of an XpressLink-equipped ship's communications and Internet connectivity wherever it may be.

In addition, Harms Bergung can choose to upgrade to Global Xpress -the next-generation global Ka-band satellite network- for free. Set for launch on 2014, the Global Xpress satellite broadband service is expected to double the bandwidth available to maritime customers.

MTN VSAT will power Jetstream HD satellite TV for yacht owners, guests

An exclusive partnership betwee maritime VSAT manufacturer MTN Satellite Communications and broadcaster Jetstream has created the Jetstream HD solution for yacht customers.

MTN’s Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connection powers Jetstream's high-definition streaming content solution. Yacht owners and guests will be able to enjoy HD content on their televisions and mobile devices.

Customers have two ways of loging into the Jetstream satellite TV platform. They can use any device with an Internet connection, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Or they can purchase the Jetset, an electronic box that directly delivers the Jetstream HD solution into the television. Either way, customers will be able to exploit the full functionality of their VSAT satellite receiver.

International channel providers of note that can be accessed through Jetstream HD include Kartina (Russian), Orbit (Arabic) and Direct TV (USA.)

JetStream will demonstrate its HD solution at the Monaco Yacht Show, September 19-22, 2012. JetStream’s booth will be located at QP68 - Parvis Piscine. MTN Satellite Communications will also debut its partner's new HD solution at the POP Lounge of the Black Legend Restaurant on the route de la piscine.