Integrated satellite communications solution provider Intelsat is gearing up to offer the next generation of solutions in order to respond to the many challenges facing the maritime sector.
The Luxembourg-headquartered company is now on the cusp of completing the global deployment of its next generation Intelsat EpicNG fleet, and is introducing more managed services to address high growth mobility applications.
Mark Rasmussen, Intelsat’s general manager for mobility business, which provides satellite services across the maritime, oil and gas, and aeronautics sectors, reckons that with the shipping industry increasingly relying on always-on broadband connectivity to improve operations and increase efficiency, ship operators need access to a broadband network that delivers speed and reliability.
“Whether it is real-time data analytics to optimise performance and fuel consumption, sensors to monitor cargo temperatures and ship speed, or, in a few years, new advanced technologies such as AI and augmented reality, connectivity access is crucial if ship operators are to take full advantage of these advances and optimise their operations,” Rasmussen says.
Rasmussen appreciates that concerns about cyber security are paramount as the connected ship becomes more common on the seas.
“As the first all-digital platform, Intelsat EpicNG provides customers with unprecedented security,” he claims. “We also believe it is our responsibility to assess our ecosystem partners with the same rigour that we look at everything else, as they are vital components when enabling services. With the cyber threats likely to evolve, we will continue to work on this, as we believe that protecting our customers against these active threats is a fundamental responsibility.”
Talking about challenges in the market, Rasmussen says it is difficult to forecast future demand for shipping services and bandwidth requirements in each region.
According to Rasmussen, the company’s IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime delivers flexibility, independence and control to address the challenge. With the solution, service providers can customise their own unique airtime plans that ideally serve the special needs of their customers.
“Our objective is to continue to offer high quality, affordable and easy to access solutions that respond to the challenges faced by the shipping industry, including expanding our growing list of IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime distribution partners around the world and across all maritime segments, including fishing fleets, leisure and offshore energy,” Rasmussen concludes.
