37 they are preferred by guests wanting to access sensitive or personal data, such as banking or medical information. “A sizeable portion of cruise passengers use both Wi-Fi and cellular, sometimes on the same device for different applications, and occasionally on multiple devices (for example phone and laptop). There has also been a rise in the number of people working remotely from ships since the pandemic, so they need secure access to corporate systems and communication platforms.” Crucially, both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity must be affordable too. “Cost is a fundamental part of the overall connectivity experience and one of WMS’s biggest accomplishments is revolutionising the pricing model,” says Arora. “Historically, passengers have paid for every megabyte of data they use but this meant they often avoided using connectivity services due to fears of unexpectedly expensive bills. In 2013, we worked with AT&T to introduce the cruise industry’s first connectivity packages where guests paid a set price for a certain amount of calls, texts and data. This predictable pricing helped change their mindset, increased their satisfaction and opened up new revenue opportunities for cruise lines.” Since 2013, WMS has collaborated with more than 400 global carriers to introduce similar connectivity packages. In 2024, for example, it collaborated with Verizon to introduce a first-of-itskind plan that enables cruise passengers to use their cellular device for talk, text and data for a fixed daily price. It is now available to Verizon customers sailing on more than 200 cruise ships. “Guests only pay for the days they use cellular services, which has greatly increased affordability, predictability and the quality of their connectivity experience,” says Arora. “We’re now looking to develop this type of offering with other carriers for both guests and crew, who also need access to better and global connectivity options. We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone to seamlessly connect to our networks and continue using their devices from the moment they board their ship.” “Our solutions, engineering expertise, partnerships with mobile carriers and satellite providers are helping cruise partners meet the ever-growing demand for connectivity. I’m immensely proud of our accomplishments to date, but we’ll continue advancing our solutions, introducing more predictable and affordable pricing models, and driving greater value for our partners, customers, guests and crew.” “ Connectivity is now a fundamental part of the vacation experience” Cruise and ferry passengers now expect uninterrupted access to high-speed connectivity so they can continue using their devices wherever they are sailing
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