Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 2016)

Today, with the advent of Big Data, proper placement of a multitude of antenna’s is a ship design consideration at the earliest stages.

Historically, internet has been a pro? t- center for cruise ships, a cost-center for ferries. “All passengers want to stay connected ... everyone seems to have a pad, a smart phone and perhaps a laptop,” said Dy- bvad. “Personally I carry all three and use them as I travel around. Everybody wants to stay connected, and this pres- ents a tremendous challenge to band- width.”

Dybvad, whose professional satcom experience with the company spans back to 1993, gives a brief synopsis. The ? rst cruise ship had 64, maybe 128 kb, and provided voice communications. This was voice communications with analog telephones and a data connection for the of? ce ashore. “Ten years ago, before the smart phones and the pads were avail- moved from ship to ship based on itiner- lines offer an Internet Café complete shipping are unlike any other maritime able, laptops were dominant and Inter- ary, based on number of passengers and with pay-as-you-use options for guests sector, as today’s ships with more than based on the season.” to stay connected. 4,000 passengers and 2,000 crew are net Cafe’s were a main feature on cruise ships and ferries. Standard bandwidth at

While Marlink has regional carrier • Loyalty Member Services – Some in fact small ? oating towns. Bandwidth that time was between 512kb and 1MB. references for this service to date, the cruise lines also offer Internet access for demands spans from passengers seeking

Today, we can see that it has increased company contends the ability to deliver loyalty program members. Members of to stay connected for personal and busi- tremendously, from 10, 20, 30, and up to massive bandwidth to the world’s largest Royal Caribbean International’s Crown ness purposes; for crew welfare as well 100MB per ship.” cruise ships globally with pick up steam and Anchor Society loyalty program get as the business and technical aspects of

The case for a cloud of bandwidth is quickly. And soon. discounts on internet packages while communicating ship to shore to keep illustrated in the case of Simon Møkster cruising, for example. this small town running ef? ciently and

Shipping, which operates a ? eet of 25

Away But Connected Demands for bandwidth in cruise safely.

state-of-the-art offshore service vessels.

From emails and texts, Tweets to Insta-

Marlink delivers a Closed User Group gram, news trolling to video streaming, (CUG), or a set amount of bandwidth travelers want to digitally share and stay

Cloud of Bandwidth: Drivers & Bene? ts for the ? eet which can be allocated and connected while on vacation. A recent re-allocated as needed by Simon Møk- survey by Cruise Lines International As-

While the cloud of bandwidth concept could radically change connectivity ster. For example, if one of the vessels sociation (CLIA) ? nds that cruise lines aboard cruise ships and passenger ferries, from a ship out? t perspective, the has onboard a group of its customer’s have introduced a host of Wi-Fi capabili- new service load essentially comes down to number, size and placement of an- engineers for an extended, multi-week ties and offerings on cruise ships making tennas. “Several antenna systems onboard are key, as the system uses multiple deployment requiring seamless, continu- it easier than ever before to stay con- satellites, multiple frequencies and multiple spot beams,” said Tommy Konkol ous access to servers on shore, Simon nected at sea.

Dybvad, Director Cruise & Ferry Services, Marlink. Today when cruise ship plans

Møkster Shipping simply diverts band-

Following are some of the latest ex- are initiated, the placement of antennas is planned from the start. Drivers for the width from others in the ? eet to a spe- amples of Internet accessibility on cruise service are multiple, and mirror trends in society as a whole which is increasingly ci? c vessel in need for a set period. In ships: connected wherever they are. the case of a large cruise ship, one might “It is obvious that data for passengers and crew is extremely important. Almost • Minutes vs. Data – Wi-Fi is more imagine a scenario where a speci? c ship all cruise companies today are creating apps for smart phones and tablets, so available on cruise lines than ever and is hosting a technology conference for a people are connected with each ship,” said Dybvad. “This will require more band- the costs to travelers are steadily declin- week, for example.

width. In staying connected, this is only the start. I expect in the future that – par- ing. More cruise lines are offering Inter-

For cruise and ferry companies, inter- ticularly with younger passengers – they will want to go into the cabin and expect net services at reasonable prices. net is not only a pro? t center, but also a to download video from YouTube, from NetFlix, or whatever they want.” Drivers • Social Media Packages - In addi- service differentiator. For example, ferry include: tion to Internet packages, many cruise companies cruising the same route may 1. Passengers: They are a customer’s life. Social media, email, news.

ships are offering social media specialty use internet as a means to attract and 2. Crew: Big bandwidth users, important for crew welfare packages. Half the Carnival Cruise Line build business with faster, cheaper (or 3. Connectivity as a Revenue Stream ? eet now offers a social media package free) internet. “You’re just reallocating 4. Ship Management that allows guests to access popular sites fruit among your fruit bowls. You need 5. Third Parties Use: Point of Sale terminals, ATMs, Monitoring systems for like Facebook and Twitter for a ? at fee ship operations and equipment health, etc.

not go back to the fruit story every time of ? ve dollars per day.

you need more fruit in a bowl,” said Dy- • Internet Café – Almost all cruise bvad.

40 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • FEBRUARY 2016

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