A ferry operator is enhancing connectivity using microwave shore-to-ship communications in the Baltic region
Viking Line is upgrading communications on cruise ferry Viking Grace using AecorLink’s connectivity technology, providing high-speed internet connectivity along the route between Stockholm, Sweden, and Turku, Finland. Microwave communications were installed at base stations along the route and the wifi on the vessel was upgraded.
The ferry owner is at the forefront in implementing wireless communications to provide its customers and crew with high-capacity internet on its ships.
After the success of this pilot, Viking Line will integrate the rest of the fleet with the network. It will also expand the infrastructure to include full coverage between Sweden, Finland and Estonia.
“We see this project as part of our continuing commitment to improve our customers’ experience on board Viking Line’s vessels,” said Viking Line network and communications manager Kaj Sundström.
“AecorLink’s established and proven network gave us the confidence to select them as our business partner in this area,” he added.
Aecorlink provided onboard LTE/4G communications for this project. It developed a new proprietary configuration for effective tracking of the base stations over longer distances enabling ferries to remain within range of the base stations. Aecorlink worked with Specto Remote for installation and servicing on Viking Line ferries.
A reliable internet connection is becoming increasingly important to attract onboard conference guests and business passengers, said AecorLink technical director Ulf Harderup.
“We know the invaluable difference it makes offering passengers access to high-speed broadband with low latency,” he said.
He expects other ferry, cruise ship and commercial shipping will consider this technology.
“The new coverage between Sweden, Finland and Estonia is now in place and designed for many more clients to easily access,” said Mr Harderup.
AecorLink will be competing with Nowhere Networks, which has already installed a radiocommunications link for ships in the Baltic.
It set up a radio-link network with coverage from Stockholm and from Visby in Gotland to Helsinki, Finland, and Tallinn, Estonia which is being used for LTE/4G communications by Rederi AB Eckerö for its roro ships.
Wasaline also uses AecorLink technology on a short ferry route, between Vaasa and Umeå, in the Baltic.
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