Tim Lajza from Harris CapRock shares his predictions for the future of at-sea connectivity
By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
In what way will guests’ demand for connected services change in 2016?
Today’s always-connected world and the ever-growing thirst for more data and information are here to stay. Applications will become more complex with additional features that require more bandwidth. Regardless of this additional complexity, customers will still expect the same connectivity performance on the open water as they do on land.
How has the way crew communicate changed?
Many of Generation X and millennials are trading their crew calling PINs for high-speed internet access and rather than using voice calls, they’re using social media and video apps to attain higher levels of communication with friends and family. The cloud is also providing an additional level of flexibility, enabling crew to quickly share large files via communication networks. Cloud applications associated with business operations and crew morale are never-ending.
How will Harris CapRock ensure it delivers the connectivity guests and crew require?
There will always be new technology that promises to do things better, cheaper or faster, so shipowners must make investments that will pay long-term dividends. Harris CapRock will continue to invest in technologies that improve system reliability and reduce costs, such as the Harris CapRock One service. Just as mobile phones automatically switch between roaming networks on land, the Harris CapRock One platform roams constantly at sea to find the highest performing network so crew members and guests can enjoy always-on, reliable connectivity, regardless of their ship’s location.