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ing a voice call, video stream or other application. ODS reserves the CIR for the entirety of the connection. This ensures that the most important and critical applications are completely uninterrupted or affected by other trafÞ c on the network. CHANGE THE CONVERSATION : Traditionally, Workboat companies had to choose in- ternet plans based on speed, like 128 kbps X 256 kbps, to determine the amount of satellite through-put needed per vessel. Network schemes like contention ratios or shar- ing make this approach difÞ cult or at least unreliable since most VSAT providers program network sharing ratios dif- ferently. ESSI and Hughes have pioneered two ways to combat this: one is to have a very low contented network, and dedicated bandwidth options, to ensure all vessels can access the bandwidth they need, anytime they need it; and by providing real time network access to ÒseeÓ the band- width usage by vessel, and local area network (LAN) on the vessel. The other is a new way to allocate bandwidth, and that is by Òresponse timeÓ of applications, not just band- width. A response time for an application is easier to deÞ ne how much bandwidth is needed and at what contention/ sharing ratio. In essence, the customer should not have to worry about the bandwidth allocation or sharing policy. EVOLVING MARKETS , HAPPY CUSTOMERS Although the ESSI customer list is a long one and reads like a ÒwhoÕs who of the maritime offshore business commu- nity,Ó Emil Regard prefers to keep that knowledge largely ?We needed more than VSAT, we needed a way to increase the efÞ ciency by which we managed the ß eet. We wanted to see the ves- sel loads in near real time to assist in logis-tics decision making.?David Cantu, VP of IT at Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations, LLC42 MNApril 2013MN April2013 Layout 32-49.indd 42MN April2013 Layout 32-49.indd 424/1/2013 12:28:02 PM4/1/2013 12:28:02 PM