French expedition cruise ship owner Exploris has installed an advanced hybrid communications network on a vessel to deliver guest connectivity using several technologies
Marlink provided the network and hardware on board Exploris One during the ship’s refit in Valparaiso, Chile in Q4 2023. This hybrid solution connects with satellites in low earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) and with 5G mobile phone networks and television media.
LEO is provided in high throughput and low latency through Eutelsat OneWeb and Starlink constellations and L-band over Iridium satellites. This is combined with very small aperture terminal VSAT technology using Ku-band and GEO satellites owned by various operators.
Passengers and crew can use the 144-guest ship’s wifi and Ethernet networks for communications using their own mobile devices.
Following the retrofit, Exploris One started sailing around South America and the Antarctic Circle in December 2023. It also sails to islands in the Atlantic Ocean, western Europe, Svalbard, Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
These remote locations require a hybrid network able to keep the vessel and its guests connected regardless of conditions.
Marlink’s technical team organised the installation of the antennas to connect to LEO and GEO satellites and 5G networks, and the below-decks equipment which was integrated into the ship’s network during an extensive refit, which prepared this ice-capable vessel for sailing to polar regions.
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