In an increasingly competitive world, commercial maritime fleets require an offshore communications strategy that satisfies multiple stakeholders, offers affordable satellite broadband connections, and positions their business for future success.
Yet a multitude of conflicting messages and competing technologies crowd the airwaves, failing to provide a proper course for the “connected ship.” A true end-to-end solution is one that offers a range of benefits to shoreside and shipboard operations, safety, and a competitive edge.
Owners and managers tasked with the challenge of finding such a suitable solution should:
- Survey the needs of stakeholders to understand the “must haves” when it comes to broadband
- Work with prospective service providers to ensure a solution that takes into account hardware, airtime plans, network management, service and support, and content
- Make certain the SATCOM solution offers secure, flexible, and fully transparent data and network management tools
- Consider the advantages of multicast delivery of operational and entertainment content to reduce the load on data usage
- Ensure the chosen plan is one that can withstand change and adapt to technological advances
What does each of these best practices entail? What factors do maritime professionals need to take into account? How can a maritime SATCOM solution represent a valuable investment in cross-business efficiencies?
For more valuable insight into incorporating a comprehensive offshore communications solution, read “Getting Your Maritime Connectivity Strategy Right – Challenges and Best Practices,” Article No. 4 in the “Deciphering Broadband at Sea” series published by KVH as an aid to smarter decision-making about global maritime satellite communications.
