While VSAT remains essential for open-sea connectivity, communication can be slow and expensive. That's why ships and other marine vessels are adding 4G/LTE connectivity, providing a low-cost, high-speed connectivity alternative that can be used up to 50 miles out from shore.
Below is a photo from a recent installation done at a vessel at Batam Island, Indonesia:
What are the key benefits and uses of 4G/LTE on ships and other marine vessels?
- High-speed internet access
As 4G/LTE signal is available in coastal waters, it allows direct connectivity to local networks without the latency and delay of global VSAT connections.
- Backup to VSAT
4G/LTE can be used as an off-load for non-critical data communications and also provides a backup to the VSAT connection.
- Crew WiFi
To provide the crew with connectivity to family and loved ones and internet access for leisure time, the 4G/LTE connection to shore can support up to 25 devices or more simultaneously.
Essential components to establish reliable 4G/LTE connectivity at sea:
- IP-rated equipment
Routers that are suitable for marine environments, such as the Cradlepoint IBR 900, which can handle up to 4 SIMs, are specially designed for harsh environments and provides ultra-reliable performance.
- Omni-directional antennas
On moving ships, high-gain omnidirectional antennas can maintain signal with LTE towers onshore, up to 50 miles or more from the coast.
- Local SIMs
Rather than using roaming, which is slow and expensive, Blue Wireless provides local SIMs and dataplans from multiple countries, ensuring a fast and low-cost connection.
- Professional installation
Ensuring all is properly designed, configured, and installed onboard.
- Ongoing management
With the cloud-based NetCloud management console, routers can be easily tracked, maintained, and managed remotely, ensuring optimal uptime.
Learn more
Blue Wireless can help with high-speed connectivity for marine environments. Speak to our specialist today and we're happy to provide a free consult.
