Shipping companies can access faster L-band connectivity worldwide after the launch of a new terminal with higher bandwidth capabilities
Intellian has introduced its C700 terminal for maritime communications over Iridium’s L-band low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to provide vessel operators with Iridium Certus services with uplink speeds of 352 kbps and downlink speeds of 704 kbps.
C700 terminal can be used for primary vessel communications or as a companion to a VSAT system for redundancy. Intellian said C700 has low-elevation-angle radio frequency efficiency through its unique 12-patch phased array antenna technology.
It has a solid-state antenna that requires no scheduled maintenance over its lifetime, and supports three low-latency phone lines simultaneously. Its supporting below deck unit (BDU) incorporates key features for deployment without additional cost, including a firewall for security, built in wifi, a wide-area-network port and IP PBX for central switching and management of phone calls.
C700 is also a terminal for future safety services, including Iridium’s plans to offer Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) services. Iridium is developing GMDSS services following approval from IMO and the International Maritime Satellite Organization.
The BDU, weighing approximately 1.2 kg, is available as a standalone bulkhead-mount unit or a 19-in all-in-one rack-mount version.
C700 can be carried on board by just one technician or crew member for rapid and low-cost installation. Once installed, C700 can be commissioned and set up using Intellian’s AptusLX software.
Intellian’s C700 joins other terminals enabling Iridium Certus services from Cobham Satcom and Thales. Each provides downlink speeds of more than 700 kbps after an upgrade by Iridium earlier this year.
Thales is planning to introduce a new terminal in November for smaller vessels and will present this during a Riviera-hosted webinar – Thales VesseLINK 200: accessing Certus with a smaller antenna – on 12 November.
Iridium vice president and general manager for maritime Wouter Deknopper said Iridium Certus terminals are ideal for vessel owners and operators who decided against VSAT for budgetary reasons and lack deck space for larger L-band antennas.
He said this service and terminals can be VSAT companions, “combining the benefits of LEO with geostationary orbit satellites, and L-band with Ku-band. That is where you need a strong hybrid system,” he added.
Intellian supplies both VSAT and L-band hardware.
To hear more about Iridium Certus and smaller antennas for vessels, use this link to access information about Riviera-hosted webinar – Thales VesseLINK 200: accessing Certus with a smaller antenna – on 12 November.
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.