Maritime communication is the heartbeat of vessel operations – precise, timely and effective transmission. With the revolution of new technologies, such as satellite constellations, the sky literally is not the limit anymore. Indeed, the future seems bright for the world of communication technologies and connectivity innovations; however, the advantages of multi-orbit solutions may not be clear yet.
Speaking to Maritime Fairtrade, Wouter Deknopper, vice president & general manager, maritime line of business, Iridium Communications, said: “Maritime partners have leveraged the Iridium Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) L-band constellation in tandem with Geostationary Orbiting (GEO) Ku networks.”
LEO satellite constellations operate at significantly lower altitudes and are designed for flexible repositioning – enabling dynamic and high-speed connectivity around the world. The benefits of such solutions include improving uptime to 100 percent and delivering application layer reliability for digital capabilities, ranging from cloud-based applications and video conferencing, to web surfing and crew welfare services.
The drawbacks that seafarers and maritime businesses will face with poor layer reliability and slow uptime is the accuracy of data transmission can be gravely hindered at times when it matters. With low bit error rates of communication networks, the quality of ship communication networks has enhanced. However, implementing this can be tricky.
“In designing the hybrid connectivity setup for maritime vessels, striking the right balance among connectivity solutions is paramount,” Deknopper explained. This entails evaluating which applications are best suited for specific satellite networks. For instance, LEO constellations offer the advantage of “low-latency, a crucial factor in deploying enterprise-grade solutions or Internet of Things (IoT) applications.”
Another consideration is frequency selection. “It holds significance in maximizing vessel uptime. The importance of connectivity not impacted by severe storms while at sea cannot be understated,” Deknopper emphasized, because these are the conditions that can cause the greatest challenges to safety at sea.
Deknopper pointed out though that achieving optimal connectivity availability for vessels demands a tailored approach rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. “A multi-frequency, multi-network strategy, integrated and fortified by an extensive network of maritime partners, enhances the robustness and reliability of maritime communications systems.”
When asked for his thoughts on next-generation flat panel antennas, Deknopper commented that the comparison between traditional parabolic antennas and next-generation flat panel antennas presents an interesting subject for Ku/Ka satellite providers. Ku-band refers to frequencies from 12 GHz to 18 GHz, while Ka-band refers to frequencies from 26.5 GHz to 40 GHz.
“Both options are poised to persist in the future, each with its distinct characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks,” he said. Undoubtedly, flat panel antennas offer a significant installation advantage. Traditional maritime antennas, like parabolic antennas, are usually bulky and need complicated processes to install. Flat panel antennas simplify this by providing a plug-and-play solution. With fewer mechanical parts and a streamlined design, they have become a game-changer for commercial ships.
Despite advancements, the future of the maritime industry still brings impending issues which cannot be avoided – mostly due to rapid landscape transformation.
“We are amidst a rapidly evolving maritime connectivity landscape, marked by unprecedented change,” Deknopper said. “A partner recently remarked to me that he has witnessed more transformations in the past 18 months than in the preceding 18 years. The disruption introduced by some of the new entrants has upended the traditional maritime ecosystem.”
To navigate these shifts, Deknopper believes the significance of partner communities in serving shipping companies must be deepened. “While the advent of greater bandwidth and higher speeds brings promise, it also entails risks for the maritime community.” Therefore, he feels it is vital that new and emerging connectivity services are not only deployed but also “optimized, integrated, and secured within the ship’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure.” Particularly on the cybersecurity front where incidents are on the rise and geopolitical tensions are heightening.
“Disregarding the pivotal role of our service provider community would be a perilous strategy,” he said. “Safeguarding the integrity and security of maritime operations necessitates a collaborative approach and reliance on a trusted network of experienced connectivity partners.”
Photo credit: Iridium Communications. Wouter Deknopper, vice president & general manager, maritime line of business, Iridium Communications.
