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OneWeb set to offer flat-panel antennas with LEO connectivity
OneWeb is preparing to offer flat-panel antennas for its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity to vessels from September after the technology completed trials
London, UK-headquartered OneWeb will supply the Kymeta Peregrine u8 LEO terminal, which was designed and built specifically for maritime applications.
It has identified the superyacht market as the first to offer this terminal, with a try-before-you-buy package including connection to its constellation of more than 630 satellites in LEO orbit.
OneWeb said this enables high-bandwidth communications of more than 100 Mbps at lower latency than connectivity over geostationary and medium Earth orbit satellites.
Kymeta’s Peregrine u8 unit uses an electronically steered antenna, minimising the need for below-deck hardware and high-power demands of other maritime antennas.
Installation and commissioning of the terminal and antenna takes less than half a day without specialist lifting equipment on existing mounts or pedestals.
OneWeb will offer vessel owners a choice of flexible options underpinned by service levels, defined by committed information rate and maximum information rate packages.
“There has been very strong demand from the superyacht community to trial OneWeb’s LEO network, especially with the new Kymeta flat-panel antenna,” said OneWeb vice president for Europe and maritime Carole Plessy.
“Alongside a ubiquitous connectivity experience at sea, other important considerations for superyacht owners include privacy, security, navigation, real-time maintenance and regulatory compliance, which all require high speed and low-latency connectivity.”
LEO satellites also enable maritime internet-of-things, remote working, connection to cloud-based applications, advanced security and entertainment content streaming.
“OneWeb’s LEO connectivity means online gaming platforms, accessing the cloud, streaming films, and never missing an important sports event can be added to the work and entertainment options on board,” said Ms Plessy.
OneWeb provides a fully encrypted network with a layered security approach to ensure complete privacy, while multiple service profiles can segregate crew and operational traffic on the same terminal.
Following investment in manufacturing plant and facilities, Kymeta’s Peregrine u8 LEO terminals are in full-scale production ready for installation in September.
Developments in flat-panel antennas are in parallel with OneWeb’s drive to deliver global LEO connectivity through commissioning more of the launched satellites.
By the end of May, OneWeb had introduced LEO communications from the North Pole to 35° North, including over Europe and North America.
This is expected to be extended into the Mediterranean and the Caribbean later this year; and for global coverage in 2024.
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