Partnership will deliver VSAT of the future

Norway-based Marlink has announced a partnership that promises to deliver faster data communications for maritime industries on the eve of the Nor-Shipping event in Oslo, Norway.

Marlink has also introduced a flexible VSAT service for shipping to enable owners to increase bandwidth temporarily to meet variable demand on vessel communications.

To enhance maritime connectivity for future users, Marlink has agreed to use the Newtec Dialog platform for its VSAT offerings. This investment will allow Marlink to continue building a superior VSAT network for the maritime industry using Newtec hardware.

Together, these companies will extend the experience with the Dialog platform in enterprise markets to maritime customers including merchant shipping and tanker companies, cruise ships, ferries, super yachts, fishing and offshore support vessels (OSV).

Marlink group chief executive Erik Ceuppens said Newtec Dialog will enable the group to future-proof the communications network.

“We continue to invest in our VSAT network to meet our customers’ increasing demand for global high-speed connectivity and enable them to enhance business efficiency through more flexible and cost-effective operations,” he said.

Newtec chief executive Thomas Van den Driessche said together they would enhance maritime VSAT networks for different user digitalisation requirements.

“Digital transformation is playing a critical role in all aspects of business today and adding Newtec Dialog for maritime customers is a logical step forward to being a pioneer in the delivery of business-critical IT, communications and digital solutions,” he said.

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Newtec Dialog is a single-service and multi-service VSAT platform that allows operators and service providers to build and adapt infrastructure and satellite networking according to their business requirements.

It will enable Marlink to offer more flexibility in VSAT services and use network virtualisation technology.

Flexible VSAT today
To deliver more flexibility, Marlink will introduce Sealink Flex during Nor-Shipping, held on 4-7 June 2019. Marlink will offer six flexible high-speed and flexible connectivity packages in regions of high maritime bandwidth demand.

This service is specifically targeted to passenger shipping, offshore rigs and OSVs, but would also be available for other commercial shipping.

Sealink Flex VSAT is offered with more than 100 bandwidth choices enabling shipowners, operators and managers to select the package which best addresses their operational, administrative, crew and passenger requirements.

It comes with a range of antennas, from 85 cm to 1.5 m in diameter, but is compatible with existing communication management platforms.

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There will be a guaranteed minimum data rate, but bandwidth can be temporarily increased or decreased for periods, ranging from a day to several months, depending on requirements in areas covered by high-throughput spot beams.

“The presence of our high-speed coverage zones permits offshore users to tailor their bandwidth accordingly,” said Marlink president of maritime Tore Morten Olsen. “For example, if they want to cater for the needs of additional guests on board, or if they have urgent business communications to manage within a set time limit.”

Marlink has set six high-speed zones in strategic offshore areas around the world that enable a rapid response to bandwidth alteration requests from owners or from vessel clients, such as oil companies and other charterers.

Last week, Marlink announced it would introduce Sealink Global 4G, a combination of Ku-band VSAT with the 4G wireless communications, during Nor-Shipping. This automatically switches to low-latency mobile services when vessels are in the Tampnet wireless network range in the North Sea region and US Gulf of Mexico.