Guest Blogger: Wouter Deknopper, VP & GM Maritime Business
The 1980’s was an influential decade that brought significant changes to the world. The maritime industry didn’t escape these changes, specifically with a technological leap from Medium, High, and Very High Frequencies (MF/HF/VHF) radio communications on-board to L-band satellite equipment. Housed in 100 kg white domes, these devices provided voice and telex to deep-sea ships at a rate of $20 per minute for a phone call. In these days, a ship owner’s choice of satellite communications was easy. As Henry Ford used to say when he the launched the Ford Model T, “You can buy the car in any colour as long as it’s black.” This glib statement reflects the solitary choice that ships had. There was only a single satellite network for ships, and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations dictated that deep-sea vessels must have it installed. This created a monopolistic environment, where the satellite operator dictated market rates without challenge. With the introduction of VSAT technology and Iridium® services, this de-facto monopoly situation started to evolve after 2000.
Fast-forward to the current decade, the maritime communications marketplace has significantly evolved, with a myriad of technology options powered by different frequency bands, namely L, Ku, C-bands, and, as of late, Ka-band technologies. What is the “best-fit” for ship owners and operators? Do they have more choices or too many choices? Each Satellite Network Operator (SNO) claims that their network is the best-in class. This creates a general market perception of an epic “Battle of the Bands” and a complex choice of satellite communications for the maritime segment. Is one solution really superior to the others? Can any SNO claim that the maritime market is a one-size-fits-all environment? In reality, there is not a single maritime market, but rather many different requirements and connectivity options.
With Iridium CertusSM enabled by the Iridium NEXT network, ship owners and operators now have a choice for L-band communications. Iridium Certus provides superior data speeds that are delivered by non-moving lightweight antennas manufactured by the world-class manufacturers Cobham and Thales. Iridium will revolutionize the L-band spectrum, establishing Iridium Certus as the new gold-standard in maritime communications.
So, what about our battle of the bands? For ship owners and operators who strictly need L-band solutions, Iridium is undoubtedly the way to go. Meanwhile, for ship owners and operators investing in VSAT technology, Iridium offers the ideal companion solution with dependable, weather-resistant, pole-to-pole connectivity, cementing Iridium as the de-facto companion L-band solution for the world’s leading VSAT providers.
Learn more about what Iridium Certus can offer you at www.IridiumCertus.com.
When the Iridium communications system comes into force, referring to maritime communications, My questions are:
.-Will be compatible with the GMDSS regulation.
.-It will replace the INMARSAT teams.
.-The IMO will have to reform the legislation referring to GMDSS.
What advantages the Iridium System has over the INMARSAT System.
Greetings and hoping to know and manage your equipment more widely.
Q:Will be compatible with the GMDSS regulation.
A:The Iridium GMDSS Terminals will be compliant with the requirements for Safety of Life at Sea Treaty (SOLAS), once the expected SOLAS amendments take effect on 1st January, 2020. As for the Iridium Certus GMDSS-compatible products, they are being developed by third-party value-added manufacturers and as such, availability of services will be determined by partner implementation. For these products, we are also targeting availability in 2020.
Q:It will replace the INMARSAT teams.
A: In January 2020, we are planning to have Iridium GMDSS services operational. This means that vessels would have a choice. They can then choose to use an Iridium GMDSS terminal for SOLAS compliance.
Q:The IMO will have to reform the legislation referring to GMDSS.
A:In May 2018 the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO recognized Iridium as a GMDSS service provider. This completed the process from IMO’s perspective and Iridium is now working with IMSO to have Iridium GMDSS completely operational by 1st January 2020.
Q:What advantages the Iridium System has over the INMARSAT System.
A:Iridium GMDSS will provide the advantages known as “the 3 Cs”:
Cost – currently hardware with all three GMDSS services (Distress Voice, Distress Alert and Maritime Safety Information (MSI)) globally would cost more than $20,000. The base Iridium GMDSS terminal will have all three services and is targeted to be available for less than $5,000.
Coverage – the Iridium GMDSS will provide global coverage so will therefore include areas not covered by the existing GMDSS provider, such as high latitude regions.
Capability – Unlike the current GMDSS system that requires two terminals, Iridium will offer all 3 GMDSS services as a standard feature on our GMDSS Terminals. This means users can access Distress Voice, Distress Alerting and MSI broadcasts from a single, small-form-factor maritime mobile terminal. This will allow the Rescue Coordination Centers (RCCs) to contact vessels in distress much more easily, which will help enhance the ability to deploy Search and Rescue assets and will ultimately improve maritime safety.