Throughout the maritime industry, a digital revolution is underway as vessel operators migrate from legacy L-band service to advanced VSAT connectivity powered by high throughput satellite (HTS) technology, a powerful combination that best enables internet of things (IoT) applications. VSAT’s faster data speeds and reliability are truly transforming the maritime industry’s digital mindset. And the next big wave of adoption is just beginning: maritime IoT. On land, IoT is already pervasive with connected machines providing real-time data to improve countless aspects of everyday life. But on ships, IoT is still in its infancy.
Currently, maritime IoT adoption falls on a spectrum beginning with vessels that utilise the noon report to satisfy basic regulatory requirements, and progressing through increasing levels of IoT adoption, such as: vessels using real-time weather data to improve voyage planning; shipowners using real-time data to achieve fuel savings; and vessels conducting remote equipment monitoring to drive the P&L. But achieving true profit-and-loss from machine-to-machine IoT will require overcoming several barriers.
What are the turning points? KVH sees four drivers of adoption. First: commercial ships have become 24/7, always-on, office environments with complex and expensive equipment that benefits from being monitored at all times. Second: data speeds provided by advanced VSAT systems enable IoT applications that create cost-saving benefits for vessels. Third: standardising the collection, transmission and storage of data securely to the cloud is underway. Fourth: ship operators mindful of profit and loss are seeing the benefit of IoT, where data flows freely and securely and drives decisions that impact the bottom line.
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Vessel operators and ship managers are beginning to leverage connectivity as the key to unlocking IoT for business growth. Fleets on KVH’s mini-VSAT broadband HTS network enjoy global connectivity with the powerful dual-channel capabilities of KVH’s new Ku/C-band TracPhone V11-HTS and Ku-band TracPhone V7-HTS.
With this unique dual-channel configuration, the vessel has both a high-speed data channel and an unlimited-use data channel, all from one antenna system. The unlimited channel is ideal for IoT monitoring and IoT data transfer when connected to the complex equipment on the vessel. The high-speed channel (with data speeds as fast as 20/3 Mbps down/up on the V11-HTS) is ideal for IoT remote support including videoconferencing and tech support.
IoT can transform the maritime industry. With fast and reliable connectivity, data speeds that support real-time monitoring and intervention, standardisation of common platforms and secure linkages to the cloud, operators will begin to realise actual fuel and field service savings. KVH’s connectivity solution is the key to helping you advance on the maritime IoT spectrum.
Learn more about how KVH connectivity enables your IoT strategy
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