By
Rebecca Gibson |
MSC Cruises is to implement Marlink’s new iDirect X7 modem to improve shipboard wifi and VSAT connectivity across its 12-ship fleet.
Marlink, which has first provided its VSAT connectivity service to MSC since 2003, first tested the new iDirect X7 modem in August 2014 and began the complete rollout across MSC’s 12 ships in October 2014.
MSC is the first cruise line in the world to benefit from the iDX 3.2 software and X7 modem from iDirect, and will receive enhanced service delivery and performance, resulting in higher throughput and richer end-user functionality for ship management, passengers and crew. The higher bandwidth offered by the new iDirect technology boosts data rates to create an online experience for MSC’s guests that is comparable to terrestrial wireless broadband.
“Staying connected is increasingly important to our guests, so MSC Cruises wanted to enhance the onboard wifi experience by ensuring that more guests can get online at the same time,” said Emilio La Scala, general manager of MSC’s technical department. “The iDirect X7 and Marlink C-band VSAT solution secures the bandwidth and performance to provide stable services for both guests and crew.”
All MSC services using Marlink Global C-band are now routed over the X7 modem, including the company headquarters and public telephony, global system for mobile communications voice and data, and ship management LAN communications.
iDirect’s latest technology features Adaptive Time Division Multiple Access, which enhances return channel performance and increases network availability on vessels under rain fade and satellite link degradation. X7 improves link performance significantly, enabling high-quality multi-user data connections for vessel management on C-band. Meanwhile, the service benefits the passengers if the vessel’s Ku-band services need to be switched to the Marlink C-band service.