By
Elizabeth Robinson |
Carnival Corporation is set to achieve a new industry record in connectivity capabilities at sea when it attempts to make an unprecedented level of bandwidth available to guests onboard Regal Princess from its Princess Cruises brand.
Princess Cruises and Carnival Corporation will attempt to achieve bandwidth of 1.5 gigabits per second, using the newly developed connectivity service MedallionNet, and working with SES Networks, a provider of satellite-enabled connectivity solutions.
The record attempt will demonstrate that connectivity is no longer a limitation of cruise vacations. Guests using MedallionNet have access to the internet at speeds that exceed typical land-based hotel connectivity performance levels.
“With MedallionNet, the best wi-fi at sea, the extraordinary experience of a cruise vacation is further enhanced by superior connectivity and coverage – providing our guests who want to stay connected with a connectivity experience that equals or exceeds what they experience on land,” said John Padgett, chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation. “This event gives us the opportunity to demonstrate that guests can have connected experience that parallels land-based wi-fi, making it exceptionally easy for our guests to share photos, videos and messages about their fabulous vacation. Cruise vacations are already the fastest growing segment of the vacation sector and eliminating any connectivity barriers will make cruise vacations even more desirable.”
MedallionNet harnesses an array of antennae, networks, equipment and configuration innovations that combine to make the Regal Princess the first vessel currently capable of achieving 1.5 gigabits per second and more.
“MedallionNet puts to rest the notion that connectivity at sea will never be as fast or reliable as your broadband at home,” said Steve Collar, CEO of SES Networks and Carnival Corporation Global Experience and Innovation partner. “Powered by our O3b fleet of Medium Earth Orbit satellites and complemented by our Geostationary Earth Orbit constellation, we are not only able to exceed average land-based bandwidth capabilities, but also able to set a new industry apex for guest connectivity experience.”