26th January 2016
Do you manage a large fleet of vessels? Do you spend every waking moment on your leisure yacht? Whether you are one person or a large company with multiple ships, Satcom Global can keep you connected with those on land or on the water with you. From the busy shipping lanes of Fremantle to the calm waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and further afield across the globe wherever your travels take you, we will help to make sure that you are connected at all times.
Deciding on which maritime communications solution will work best for you can be complicated, and sometimes even confusing. As a distributor of the world’s leading satellite communications services, we want to share our knowledge and help simplify what is out there so you can make an informed choice of the solution that best fits the bill. Proven time and again across Australian waters, today we're looking at services that run over the robust Inmarsat network - FleetBroadband, VSAT, Fleet One, IsatPhone 2, Push-to-Talk and FleetPhone – we're covering all options.
Starting off with the most compact of the devices, a satellite phone is a great option for leisurely seafarers or as a form of voice back-up for primary communications for any size boat. The IsatPhone 2 from Inmarsat is a rugged and reliable handheld which can be quickly deployed to connect users with those on land simply by extending the antenna and dialling out. Alternatively, Inmarsat’s FleetPhone service offers the same features; voice, SMS, short message emailing and data up to 2.4kbps but in a fixed form. The FleetPhone service is available via the Beam Oceana terminals, and also supports 505 emergency calling which puts vessels directly in contact with a maritime rescue co-ordination centre.
Moving up in the world, leisure and fishing boats can now access the satellite voice and data services enjoyed by much larger vessels with Inmarsat Fleet One. The compact and lightweight maritime terminals from both Cobham SATCOM and Add Value, provide voice and data services up to 100kbps, supports 505 emergency calling and can even provide wireless access via an additional router. Fleet One is a service very much geared up for coastal vessels such as fishing boats and leisure cruisers, and offers flexible, cost effective price plans that meet the needs of the seasonal user.
Moving up in size and service, Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband for larger boats and vessels of frequent use, provides global maritime communications with dependable voice and data, all through a compact antenna. FleetBroadband is the ideal communications device for mariners that require cost-effective and seamless communications for their crew and business. Leading manufacturer Cobham SATCOM, offers terminals in three flavours, starting with the compact and lightweight SAILOR 150. The low cost solution for smaller vessels or single users, offers voice and data services up to 150kbps for checking emails, obtaining weather updates or keeping in touch with those at home. The medium-sized SAILOR 250 offers enhanced data speeds up to 284kbps, and streaming IP up to 128kbps, allowing more live applications such a video streaming and database synchronisation. Last but not least is the SAILOR 500, a powerful, high quality solution designed for intensive use on board large shipping fleets. Data speeds up to 432kbps and 256kbps streaming, combined with multiple voice lines, SMS and fax services, make it the ideal solution for ship operation and crew welfare.
FleetBroadband is arguably the most popular maritime satellite communications service in Australian waters today, and going forward it will continue to have a place in the maritime market as a standalone service, as well as a reliable back-up to VSAT. As maritime communications demands continue to grow, it is likely that a strategic investment in VSAT networks will be the most cost-effective choice for the large majority of maritime fleets as they seek to improve crew welfare and increase business productivity, through access to increased performance, high throughput data speeds and unlimited amounts of data.
For current FleetBroadband users, in order to truly get the best out of their terminal and airtime package, a communciations management tool can help manage usage and maximise data subscriptions. IPSignature 4 is Satcom Global’s multi-function device for centralised control of vessel networks connections and communications. It enables low cost voice for business and crew calling, optimises data services for email and web browsing, and places control firmly in the hands of the ship manager. It also features BYOD (bring your own device technology) so crew are able to access data via the smartphones and tablets. In essence, it provides control and visibility to management and accessibility to crew, with complete ease of use.
For information on any of the above products, please visit our Resources page and download our product sheets. Please also feel free to contact our friendly local sales manager at oceania@satcomglobal.com or on +61 7 3257 7309 who will be happy to discuss your needs specifically. Happy Sailing!
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