P&O's ferries become the first to be able to connect to the MTN Terrestrial Broadband Network
By
Rebecca Gibson |
MTN Communications (MTN) has delivered a new high-performance hybrid internet connection to P&O Ferries, enabling crew and passengers to access online content through the first wifi hotspot on the English Channel.
P&O now has the first ferries in the world connected to the MTN Terrestrial Broadband Network (TBN).
Each of the 11 ferries serving the Dover-Calais route between England and France has been fitted with a broadband antenna tracking and stabilisation system, which works across the 35.4km wide English Channel.
This allows the ferries’ antennas to ‘lock’ onto MTN TBN access points on shore, providing broadband services to the passengers and crew. In addition, the ships’ onboard data centres are equipped with advanced processing technologies.
“Ferries traditionally have relied solely on satellite bandwidth for communications services,” said Ian Rabbidge, head of propositions at P&O Ferries. “Just like in the office, at home or at a land-based resort, passengers want to stream media, conduct e-commerce, engage in social media, access online content, watch television, call family, friends and colleagues, and more. MTN enables all this through its advanced communications ecosystem of hybrid connectivity, smart computing and an internet platform designed to enable today’s apps.”
The new service follows the launch of a satellite communications solution on the P&O Ferries Irish Sea Route in December 2013 and North Sea Route in August 2014.
MTN delivers more than 12 terabytes of data daily through the hybrid communications network and processes 2.8 million internet logins per month. The service has enabled bring your own device policies, smart computing and also supports eCommerce and other apps.
“P&O Ferries heard about the cruise industry communications revolution where operators were leveraging this new hybrid network with both satellite and terrestrial connectivity, in addition to smart computing and an enhanced internet platform,” said Brent Horwitz, senior vice president and general manager of cruise and ferry services at MTN. “By delivering this competitive differentiator, we are aligning communications with all the other innovation P&O Ferries has underway and in some cases, enabling it. This enhanced connectivity and access to work and travel-related applications and content, is at a level beyond what any other ferry operator has today.”