V IEWPOINT 1 3 8 Driving a new era of connectivity at sea SES is taking a harmonised multi-orbit approach to deliver ubiquitous high-speed, low-latency connectivity services to cruise lines so they can fulfil growing bandwidth demands Now that occupancy rates onboard cruise ships are beginning to return to normal, the volume of data being consumed at sea is growing dramatically. Cruise lines are facing an increasing challenge to ensure they have the right level of connectivity to meet this demand and support the delivery of realtime services. An array of satellite-enabled connectivity technologies is emerging to help them rise to this challenge. From geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) to medium Earth orbit (MEO), or potentially in the future low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, there is now an improved range of systems available that better match today’s assortment of connectivity demands. While some businesses simply need the reliable broadband they cannot get through their terrestrial network, those in the cruise industry require truly global coverage to facilitate connectivity wherever they operate, as well as a flexible solution that adapts to operational data demands. The key is to choose the right technology – and connectivity provider – to ensure they stay one step ahead of demand, both now and in the future. Different providers offer different solutions, depending on the orbits available to them, and understanding how the distance of the spacecraft from Earth affects performance is crucial when selecting a satellite service. GEO satellites provide coverage over a large area but with some latency in data transmission due to their high altitude. MEO satellites enable the highest level of throughput and much lower latency while maintaining coverage at 96 per cent of the global population. In the future, LEO constellations may enter commercial operations. Composed of thousands of satellites, these systems promise lower latency coverage over focused areas of operation. However, they are challenged in terms of providing true high-throughput capacity, so if demand rises in a specific region or a major cruise location, customers will potentially experience poorer performance due to the contention limitations of these satellites. The ideal solution for cruise operators is a multi-orbit satellite network that combines the advantages offered by By Simon Maher, SES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=