Current Issue

Reducing VoIP & Video Call Data Consumption

“Airtime vendors and service providers are raising expectations beyond what can be delivered onboard ship in a cost effective and practical manner.”

Crew Calling Cards: Remote Insight Feature

In this Special Insight Report we take a look at some of the options for enabling ~ and controlling ~ crew connectivity.

Is Global Wholesale Ambition Over the Top?

The next decade will see the emergence of multiple commercial and technological arrangements for managing the relationship between telcos and content providers as they seek to manage the future of online content delivery. Will your role in the chain change?

Crew Connectivity Census

Explore current crew communication requirements, access levels and how much they’re willing to pay for connectivity.

Managing Crew Internet Consumption with Unrestricted Plans

Helping owners manage crew internet access (which can account for up to 90% of bandwidth via video viewing).

Developing Crew Internet Access Onboard

The new generation of seafarers is born with a mobile in hand, says Adonis Violaris, managing director at Telaccount Overseas Ltd. Read about the company’s latest trials and observations for installing internet cafe style connectivity onboard rigs and ships in this feature.

High End Niche Edges Closer

The next few years will bring revolutionary changes to the amount of satellite bandwidth available to end-users across the oil and gas and mining sectors. Amongst large, remote sites, O3b is likely to see good adoption rates. However, these sites remain a niche of a niche where fibre is almost a given – it is just a matter of when.

Bandwidth Optimisation Focus

Super Remote

Company Watch

The countdown to the first O3b Networks launch is under way.  The first four (of eight) satellites arrived in French Guiana on 24 April. Currently sitting in the payload processing facility, preparations are on course for launch on 24 June 2013.

 

NEXT EDITION

Autumn 2013 issue of OffComm News cover issue: The Need for Speed

Topics will include: bandwidth crunching; faster networks; cheaper options; managing data; capping capacity; refining streams for better quality and more informed decisions.

To reserve your copy click HERE.

If you would like to take part please contact the editor@offCommNews.com

Editor's Choice RSS Link

Media & Entertainment Services for Maritime Satcom Customers Worldwide

13th  May 13 2013: KVH Industries, Inc., has acquired Headland Media Limited, a media and entertainment services company that currently provides 9,600 vessels, 1,700 hotels, and 1,700 retail outlets with news, sports, movies, and music content. Headland Media’s content range, which KVH intends to deliver over a mini-VSAT broadband network, will also enable KVH to bring Internet Protocol television (IPTV) technology to the maritime market.

Buzz Marine Expands Range with Portable Hubba for 3G Broadband Onboard

1st May 2013: Buzz Marine has added a new internal unit to its range: the Hubba. This unit can be located in the cabin to provide WiFi broadband throughout the vessel. Being free standing and portable it can be easily removed from the boat and used ashore. The Hubba provides ADSL equivalent broadband speeds up to four times the connectivity of an internal SIM in an iPad or laptop mobile connector. Set up in seconds the range is designed to take advantage of upgraded transmitters as they come online, which could see users enjoying 8Mbps (Megabit per second)  on board.  With typical download speeds of 7Mbps and uploads of 1Mbps, Buzz Marine’s Hubba creates affordable WiFi internet access on a vessel with prices from £325 +vat.

Reliability, Privacy and Safety Factors Impacted by Legislation

29th April 2013: Apparently, cloud investment would increase significantly if legal barriers were removed. This is the opinion of more than half of the 650 IT managers who responded to a survey commissioned by Mitel®, a provider of cloud and premises based unified communications software. Reliability, privacy and safety – all factors highly impacted by legislation – are the most frequently raised objections to investing more in the cloud.

Tactical Manpacks for Israeli Intelligence

24th April 2013: Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd told us that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has selected its SatTrooper-1000 military Manpack terminal for advanced tactical field communications. The Manpack was tailor made to address the unique field requirements of the IDF ground forces. The SatTrooper-1000 will provide Israeli soldiers with dependable data, video and telephony at broadband speeds. Weighing only 13 kilos, the compact and easy-to-carry terminal is highly efficient and can be set up in minutes by a single warfighter. The rugged design of the auto pointing antenna enables rapid connectivity even in the harshest environmental conditions. ”Net centric warfare has increased the importance of quick-deploy satellite based communication solutions in today’s battle field,” said Res. Gen. Moshe (Chico) Tamir, Gilat’s Vice President of Defense and Homeland Security. “Intelligence superiority is a critical necessity on the battle field wherever and whenever required. Our SatTrooper Manpack was built taking into account the harshest and most demanding battle conditions, adhering to the stringent communication requirements of the IDF.”

BYOD Trend Continues with Astrium Services Xchange Upgrade

18th April 2013: New VoIP service over personal smartphones improves call quality, uses less bandwidth and makes crew calling easier. Astrium Services has released a new software version for its XChange connectivity platform. It offers a range of new features to facilitate permanent remote access, allow smartphone usage on board and provide improved VoIP capabilities. XChange v2.3 was developed to meet specific customer demands and is available free of charge by a simple firmware update, through a local file or via the embedded over-the-air update feature. The inclusion of new VoIP technology in XChange enables bandwidth savings of over 50%, whilst at the same time offering high call quality and reliability. This makes regular use of VoIP a more attractive option to the crew, the captain or the IT manager, who will experience clearer, more reliable calls; placing VoIP as a real alternative to more traditional voice services.  It also offers possibilities for users onboard to connect their own devices to a vessel’s network over Wi-Fi, to access email, the internet and social media sites.

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