Inmarsat extend coverage after V.Ships trials
(Posted on 28/09/20)
Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications, will extend its unique ‘three-in-one’ Fleet LTE coverage for offshore service vessels to the Gulf of Mexico, following successful trials with V.Ships Offshore in the North Sea area.
In conjunction with Inmarsat’s service provider One Net, the North Sea trials were undertaken with ship management company V.Ships Offshore at the beginning of 2020, delivering hybrid connectivity via 4G cellular plus satellite coverage on VSAT Ka-band and L-band, without the complication of dual billing or the risk of disconnection. V.Ships Offshore, based in Aberdeen, covers ship management and technical services, as well as crew management and recruitment.
The new Gulf of Mexico coverage extension adds to the existing agreement already in place with subsea fibre and offshore LTE network operator, Tampnet, following the Fleet LTE North Sea service launch in November 2019.
“We’ve been thoroughly impressed with the stability and quality of Fleet LTE service throughout the trial and the automatic and seamless switching between networks, which has removed the risk of any disconnection in service that would normally effect our day-to-day activities,” said Scott Bryce, Vessel Manager, V.Ships Offshore. “The service plan flexibility has also given us the ability to move up and down plans when needed, to support our changing bandwidth demands, and there are no hidden admin fees to worry about.”
The expansion of the Fleet LTE service means customers in both the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico can access high speed 4G, Fleet Xpress maritime VSAT Ka-band and continuous L-band connectivity within a single, fully managed hybrid package.
“The trial success with V.Ships Offshore supported by our partner One Net, is a real proof point for Fleet LTE and we are excited about the evolution of the service into the Gulf of Mexico, to support the recovery of the offshore sector and expansion into other regions and sectors in the future,” said Eric Griffin, vice president Offshore & Fishing, Inmarsat Maritime.
Inmarsat Fleet LTE is available in a range of service bands that deliver data speeds of up to 40 Mbps with round trip delay of around 35-40ms. However, when LTE is not available, services automatically switch over to Ka-band Fleet Xpress committed information rates, with continuous back-up from L-band FleetBroadband.
“Inmarsat is a leader in a market that has significant untapped potential for Tampnet’s premium LTE services, and we are really pleased to extend our agreement to the Gulf of Mexico based on the success of the trials,” said Tampnet CEO, Per Helge Svensson.
Latest News
Damen completes green retrofit project for BAM Shipping
(Posted on 15/05/25)Damen Shipyards Group, together with partners including Atal Solutions has completed its retrofit of... Read more
NORDEN expands MPP fleet, reinforcing growth in Projects & Parcelling
(Posted on 15/05/25)NORDEN has announced that it has signed agreements for two additional 17,500 dwt Multi-purpose (MPP)... Read more
ClassNK’s ‘Guidelines for Safety Operation for Ammonia-Fueled Vessels’
(Posted on 15/05/25)ClassNK has released the ‘Guidelines for Safety Operation for Ammonia-Fueled Vessels’ for... Read more
Better safeguarding measures needed to support cadets at sea
(Posted on 07/05/25)Cadets are increasingly struggling to complete their cadetships due to a shortage of available placements... Read more
Algoma focuses on reliable service and fleet improvements
(Posted on 07/05/25)Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. Algoma... Read more
ClassNK releases ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’
(Posted on 01/05/25)ClassNK has released ‘Prime Shipmanagement Guidelines’ which aim to achieve sustainable... Read more
MCTC ensures quality remains at top of the table amid global tensions
(Posted on 30/04/25)In the face of unpredictable provisioning costs, port disruptions, and longer lead times MCTC has reinforced... Read more
NORDEN raises full-year guidance for 2025
(Posted on 28/04/25)On the back of the increased gains from sales of vessels and good operational performance, NORDEN, a... Read more
INTERCARGO welcomes ILO recognition of seafarers as key workers
(Posted on 28/04/25)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) has welcomed the recent decision... Read more
MMS advises why seafarers must remain vigilant about malaria
(Posted on 25/04/25)Despite its lack of publicity, malaria remains an ongoing epidemic and a perilous threat to seafarers... Read more
