Nav/Com showcase ShipBuilding KVH launches mini-VSAT broadband network
GoFree with Simrad
KVH Industries, Inc., Middletown, RI, is launching new Unrestricted Rate Plans featuring Business Class Service for its mini-VSAT Broadband network. KVH says the new service provides
Simrad Yachting’s GoFree Wireless solution combines user-friendly mobile software with rugged marinegrade hardware. The solution is made up of the GoFree Viewer and Controller app, and the Simrad WiFi-1 wireless gateway. GoFree supports simultaneous connectivity with multiple devices and the Controller app enables users to control Simrad NSS function from anywhere on the boat, in real time. Louis Chemi, COO, Navico Americas, owner of Simrad, says, “Our free mobile apps give boaters the tools to view and control Simrad NSS functions from their preferred mobile platform, and our innovative openprotocol solution allows them to interface our navigational systems with popular third-party navigation apps.”
unrestricted, prioritized, multimegabit service with access to all internet applications and protocols, including streaming media formats, VoIP services and rich media websites.
The new transparent, usage-based rate plans provide a certain amount of data in a monthly package but gives the customer the opportunity to buy more service at a reasonable price if the package threshold is exceeded during the month. Moreover, by monitoring the usage, KVH will be able to add satellite capacity, in order to stay ahead of customer demands. The service is supported by KVH’s CommBox Ship/Shore Network Manager, the TracPhone V7-IP and TracPhone V11 products. The solution’s high-quality service will further be strengthened when a global network upgrade implementing the advance Variable Coding, Spreading and Modulation (VCSM) technology provided by KVH’s partner in the mini VSAT Broadband network, ViaSat, Inc., is completed later this month.
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www.simrad-yachting.com
Harris CapRock: Redifining connectivity at sea Passengers and crew traveling on board Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas will soon benefit from the O3b Maritime network. Stemming from a partnership between communications provider Harris CapRock and satellite provider O3b Networks, the state-of-the-art broadband solution, is based on O3b’s Medium-Earth-Orbit (MEO) satellite fleet and Harris CapRock’s experience as a maritime systems integrator. O3b Maritime, which will go into service this summer, will enable maritime operators to provide a fiber-like (like your cable provider’s fiber optic option) connectivity experience to cruise ships and super yachts at sea worldwide. The service will be “ground-breaking” according to Rick Simonian, president of Maritime Solutions, Harris CapRock. He says, “This exciting partnership between Harris CapRock and O3b Networks offers a unique combination for maritime innovator Royal Caribbean who is committed to providing the very best cruise experience
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to its guest.” “O3b Networks and Harris CapRock together are redefining connectivity at sea by offering the first fiberquality, ultra-fast maritime broadband solution in the world.” Harris CapRock says it will deploy the stabilized VSAT antenna system and provide a fully managed service, enabling the delivery of fiber quality bandwidth to the vessels. CONTRACT EXTENSION Separate from the Oasis and Allure of the Seas 03b project, last year Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. awarded Harris CapRock a contract to support 34 ships in its fleet—the ships include vessels operating under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises brands. Harris CapRock will provide satellite coverage using a hybrid Ku-band/c-band architecture over the next five+ years. It’ll combine a hybrid satellite and terrestrial solution—of which, the Harris CapRock SpaceTrack stabilized antennas are
a part of—that will enable access to Royal Caribbean’s corporate network and business applications, broadband internet and telephony services. Harris CapRock says the combination of Ku-band, C-band and shore wireless connectivity will allow ship to seamlessly switch from one preferred platform to another, thus maximizing service availability and avoiding downtime.
www.harriscaprock.com www.o3bnetworks.com
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