Solstad expands LEO Starlink investment for data flexibility

Solstad Offshore has extended its use of low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications to include flexible data packages across its fleet, with Marlink expanding its Sealink NextGen hybrid network.

Solstad can allocate data transmission capacity according to actual needs, at any given time, across its fleet of specialised support ships as connectivity demand rises and falls.

“Solstad is always on the lookout for ways to improve our digital possibilities, whether for our crews or business users, and the opportunity to share LEO data across the fleet is a natural fit for us,” said Solstad Offshore ICT director Christian Nesheim. “Combining Starlink data in a flexible model enables us to share data proactively and respond to changes in demand as they occur.”

Solstad Offshore was the first offshore vessel operator on the Marlink network to trial Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency communications. It integrated the service alongside Ku-band, L-band communications and 4G connectivity to deliver enhanced services for seafarers and to use new business applications.

Marlnk said its Sealink Nextgen hybrid network enables Solstad to improve user experience, application performance, reliability, scalability and security.

Solstad will also benefit from network management tools, including software-defined, wide-area network application-based routeing, to optimise the reliability of business-critical communications.

“By creating customised solutions that are seamlessly integrated into our hybrid network, we can enable customers to benefit from higher throughput within the reliability of Marlink’s network,” said Marlink president of maritime Tore Morten Olsen.