Within the next decade, experts predict the earth will be covered by small satellites at low heights working directly above, not within range of the human eye, of course, that would be ridiculous, but capable of providing vastly improved mobile coverage and faster connectivity akin to the home experience.
As the name suggests, Low Orbit Satellites orbit the earth as low as a few hundred kilometres high and, although the concept is not actually new, in terms of numbers, the LEO satellite market can shortly expect to receive a greatly increased number and large constellations in the thousands of these relatively small, relatively low-cost satellites, that can be upgraded, swapped out and changed far quicker than their larger, more costly GEO satellite (Geostationary Earth Orbit) counterparts.
‘Traditional’ GEO satellites, with their large data-carrying payloads, are satellites located at 36,000km height and remain in a stationary position relevant to the earth and follow the earth’s own rotational course. LEO satellites (and to an even lesser extent, MEO - Middle Earth Orbit satellites), on the other hand, are not held in fixed earth positions, and they can be deployed to different locations, but need physically many more of them to give true global coverage.
Broadly speaking, the two different satellite types are complementary, and consumers derive the best combined service when both types are deployed and working together. To receive higher-capacity, higher-speed connectivity, yachts may need to review their existing antennas, thus ensuring they can receive and transmit this lovely additional data set to come our way.
I intentionally use the word ‘review’ here (as opposed to using the word ‘replace’) because chances are replacement of a ‘full-fat’ Dome antenna may not be required, but for any other reason than the more attractive, low-profile appearance of flat-panel antenna terminals, which, from an aesthetic point of view, most of us would probably prefer.
One thing that stood out with companies I talked to, is the provision of flexible, demand-based data that enables service providers to point additional bandwidth to yachts during busy periods. The process is quick if the yacht is known to the provider and vice-versa.
Operating from eight strategic sites in the UK, Ships Electronics Services Ltd (SES) has years of experience working within global leisure and commercial marine industries, including military, and is a dealer and distributor for some of communications’ biggest names.
SES Leisure Manager, Paul Rees, told me, “Flexibility is key to providing what’s required. We work with large airtime providers that offer an opportunity to upgrade or downgrade bandwidth requirements on a monthly basis. “We can offer data plans that are not subject to capped tariffs and other usage restrictions, in this sector you will most likely be limited by either what your hardware can handle, or airtime cost.”
Real time data wireless & satellite communications company, Excelerate, CEO, David Savage, told me, “Yacht clients generally want full internet requirements, including consistency of speed
YACHTPROJECTS INTERNATIONAL Yachtprojects International supply hardware, software and airtime for the following services. VSAT, both Ku, Ka, C band and GX. Fleet broad band, Iridium and GMDSS , in-house supported VOIP phones and 4G. They also supply TVRO and service globally and are a one stop shop for the above and compliment this with bespoke onboard networks including firewalls, managed LAN and managed WiFi, both for open and revenue stream applications. Their managed networks are supported remotely 24/7/ 365. Recently Yachtprojects International have released their ‘Ethernet over power system’ for minor or quick deployment networks where 350Mbps suffice. For more details Tel:+44 (0)740 880 2485 or visit
yachtprojects.net
132 | SUMMER 2019 | ONBOARD
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