VSAT WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON?
ONBOARD looks into the ever changing world of VSAT communications and asks how do we know what hardware systems and bandwidths a yacht
really needs, and can we future proof for the next generation of satellites?
I
n an ever-changing world of satellite communication the technology and the companies that provide it ensure that the subject of superyacht VSAT is changing just as fast. Where it as simple as new technology simply bringing faster speed, then VSAT could be thought of as a sort of yachting consumable commodity like fuel for example. Here captains look at the bunker price per ton, evaluate the quality of the supplier, and make a simple, uncomplicated transaction to buy as many tonnes as will fill the tanks. That is easy. But sadly, VSAT is not.
It is not just the price of bandwidth, nor is it the speed of download. It is not even just the equipment that delivers it or the service provider that makes it all happen that are changing. No, in the case of VSAT, it is all of this and more. More we hear you say? Yes, more because the expectations of superyacht owners and crew are changing equally as fast!
The VSAT maritime market has more than tripled in size over the past two or three years. Corporate consolidation has seen smaller suppliers of services and equipment swallowed up, so that now, only big boys play ball.
So when a company is asked to quote for a yacht, what are the initial questions they should be asking the captain or yacht managers? We asked Julian Drudge, Sales Director at Telenor Satellite this exact question. He explains, “When approached by a new client, there are a number of things we need to ascertain in order to give the best advice. The most important information for us is firstly to find out what applications the owner wants
to run over the satellite link. These might include downloading movies, live streaming of sports, video conferencing or simple internet browsing and VoIP calls, together with specific applications that are key to the operation of the vessel or as required by the owner. This knowledge, along with the number of concurrent users and details of the networks installed on the vessel, help us to calculate the approximate bandwidth requirements, and decide if a dedicated WAN optimisation solution is required to make the most efficient use of the bandwidth provided.”
“Of course, that is just the beginning,” Julian says. “We also need to know not only where the vessel is currently located, but perhaps even more importantly, the intended geographical area of operation. This will enable us to decide which Ku or Ka band service we want to recommend for the vessel, and the size of antennas to be installed.
In addition we would also ask what equipment is already installed on board the vessel and if the crew has any existing experience of operating VSAT systems. Lastly, the size and design of the vessel is important to help us determine the number and size of antennas that would suit it, and to identify any possible beam blockage issues.”
Sara Hextall, Director at OceanWeb concurs, “Our questions are tailored to investigate whether the vessels current hardware is fit for the data requirements of the size of the vessel, the number of devices and itinerary of the vessel. What size is the yacht, the number of crew, the number of guests? Do they have an ETO?
82 | WINTER 2022 | ONBOARD
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