What you need to consider when choosing maritime LEO connectivity

maritime leo connectivity 50 degrees north
AST and OneWeb have a shared maritime belief that connectivity at sea should be as seamless and simple as it is onshore, even in the most remote locations. As OneWeb’s most experienced maritime and offshore partner, AST have worked in collaboration with OneWeb and hardware providers including Intellian to test and implement fixed offshore connectivity solutions and are currently trialing maritime LEO connectivity with plans to offer commercial maritime packages in Q2 2023.  
 
Enabling rapid communications between ship and OneWeb’s LEO satellites means cloud solutions and remote control applications become much more viable. It can enable autonomous vessels, improved internet-of-things in maritime and real-time monitoring of operations in clear video.
 
With the marketplace increasing in competition from existing and new providers such as Starlink, we outline the key differentials that allow OneWeb and AST to truly support the evolving communication needs of the maritime industry.  

Quality of Service

Maritime LEO Connectivity Expectations

For many high-end maritime customers such as governments and offshore operations, SLA’s (Service Level Agreements) and CIR’s (Committed Information Rates) are a must-have.  

Without these, customers of other satellite networks (including Starlink) face throttling and speed management for the end user and the service becomes risky for operation-critical purposes.  

What OneWeb and AST offer

All OneWeb CIR users are treated as priority, not only high data consumers, this is then backed up with SLAs. Additionally multiple service profiles can be set up on a single set up that ensures traffic is managed and prioritised in the most efficient method. For example, separate profiles can be set up for critical business comms and another one for crew welfare.  

When ordering, end users will be given committed capacity in our network to ensure the advertised SLAs and CIRs are achievable and realistic.   

 OneWeb performs a capacity assessment on every new order to ensure service levels will be met; this means no data caps or throttling of speeds to guarantee service levels. 

To maintain a reliable service and provide maritime users with peace of mind, OneWeb has in orbit spare satellites built as part of its constellation for redundancy. 

Installation and Integration

Maritime LEO Connectivity Expectations

End users want to ensure that their communication solutions are integrated into their onboard hybrid networks and aren’t simply left the burden of setting up on their own.  

If required, they also want responsive technical support to ensure a seamless integration.  

What AST and OneWeb offer

OneWeb user terminals have been developed by specialist terminal manufacturers and are installed and integrated with the vessel’s network by trained professionals giving you peace of mind that it will work seamlessly.  

AST’s 30 years of experience in the maritime sector means we have highly skilled technical engineers who are trained and experienced in the maintenance and commissioning of satellite communication systems. Many of our team were involved in the beta testing and verifications of OneWeb’s fixed offshore and maritime terminals.  

Network Security

Maritime LEO Connectivity Expectations

Cyber security is an increasingly important topic for the maritime industry due to rapid digital transformation and with that comes new threats and regulatory requirements. 

Optimization of operations remains a critical focus, and those who can utilize new technologies and digital solutions will have the upper hand. Cyber security is a critical risk area, as ship operation is largely dependent on the effectiveness of software-based systems for operations. 

What AST and OneWeb offer

The OneWeb network operates a layered approach to security and encryption. Traffic is handled at PoPs (Point of Presence) data centres and interconnected to ensure secure connection is always maintained.  

Unlike some other providers that go direct to internet, OneWeb with AST can offer a completely private network solution, the same as a terrestrial MPLS network extension to your existing private WAN, allowing for critical data communications for operations to be deployed. 

A service plan to suit your needs

Maritime LEO Connectivity Expectations

Not all maritime end users have the same requirements with a range of data usage, use cases and budgets.  

They need to have a suitable range of options that have developed specifically for end users in the maritime industry rather than the single data plan given by other providers such as Starlink.

What AST and OneWeb offer

AST and OneWeb have worked on plans that are use case specific and allow the customers to choose the right package from entry level to high-end.  

Providing options such as suspension rights, scaling options and data pooling along with AST’s comms and bandwidth management services, means end users can develop and manage a plan that suits their specific needs. 

Hardware for the harshest environments

Maritime LEO Connectivity Expectations

Those working in the maritime industry work in some of the harshest conditions. They need to ensure that the terminal equipment they are using is able to withstand the environment they work in. 

Whether it is saltwater erosion, extreme temperatures, vessel movement or simply challenges such as mast obstructions; the terminals must operate flawlessly.

What AST and OneWeb offer

OneWeb and AST have worked with industry leading hardware manufacturers that have extensive experience developing Type Approved terminals specifically for operation in the harshest maritime environments on all vessel types. 

OneWeb’s terminals are designed with IP66 Ingress Protection rating, proven to be resistant to environmental factors, such as storms, harsh winds, saltwater erosion, radar interference, obstruction blockage mitigation (masts, cranes etc), vessel movement in a seaway (pitch/roll, heading change). This compares favourably against Starlink that has only an IP56 rating.  

Installation services provided by AST will ensure the equipment is positioned in the optimum position and mitigate blockage. This is enhanced by the range of terminal form factors available from OneWeb including dual parabolic and flat panel options that can work in Primary-Primary mode with blockage mitigation software installed.  

The variety of approved terminals and the various forms compared to the singular option provided by Starlink provides flexibility for installation and ensures guaranteed service levels during operations at sea.  

Contact US

Meet the Team – Lukasz Latosinski – Head of Marine Networks, AST

Lukasz has been working at AST for more than 9 years and leads technical operations with OneWeb since the inception of our partnership in 2021. 

Lukasz Latonsinski Head of Marine Networks

What excites you most about the AST and OneWeb partnership?

AST and One Web partnership is paving the way to allow people to communicate easier with a higher data speeds and lower latency. Traditional GEO Satellites will still be used and will have its place in the market especially when high SLA agreements are required, where LEO constellations will offer different user experience and at the end they can both complement each other. 

With maritime market we are seeing bigger demand for higher data speeds so seafarers can do more and video call families more often – no matter where they are, where ship operations want to implement more sensors to monitor and remotely access engines and machinery. AST being in the centre of maritime market for more than 30 years has allowed us to be ready for this digital transformation with values of our AST Integra network, Captive portal, IOT, tracking and many more features. 

On the other hand, land communication will allow better integration and scalable product offering via AST where hard to reach areas will be able to join digital transformation and enjoy high speeds internet access no matter if this is an enterprise, government, or other vertical.

How do you think it has helped AST and its customers, being involved with OneWeb from such an early stage?

We feel it works two ways, benefiting both OneWeb and our customers.  For OneWeb our experience working with so many offshore and land based clients over the past 30 years has meant we have really helped them fine tune a service that we feel really support customers in the way it needs to.  We are really proud in our work in supporting OneWeb gain approval for the fixed offshore antenna.  

For prospective customers the in-depth relationship with OneWeb, being hands on testing, installing and supporting the terminals means not only we can help you find a solution that meets your needs, but we can also provide ongoing expert support having being part of the development process.  

With OneWeb providing unrivalled high-speed, low latency connectivity – what do users potentially have to consider when connecting their service?

We all want more data – but with higher data speeds there are also some points that needs to be considered. As people use the internet more freely and will install and use more interactive applications, users have to take further consideration to cybersecurity risks. Quite often this can raise a risk for the whole network on board a vessel and disrupting vital on-board operations.  

We also believe more and more people will be using streaming media and higher bandwidth consumption applications and this can create a bottle neck. AST Integra network has got a large range of tools helping ship owners, enterprise and energy markets verticals to monitor and stop if this is the case so only allowed traffic is being send over the satellites. 

With higher data speeds and lower latency – we still need to manage the traffic to ensure it is delivered based on the business/customer requirement.  

Also important to mention is that IoT and telemetry solutions will also see a benefit of using OneWeb network as it can provide pro-active support and maintenance with much higher options of bandwidth – so live telemetry, tracking, sensor reading and multiple live video feeds could be used to make near real-time decisions to maritime, environmental and industrial businesses.  

Can you tell us one thing about OneWeb that you think not many people are aware of yet or don’t fully appreciate?

An interesting point to mention is – we have a OneWeb terminal installed in our office and we are running it via the AST Integra network. During my tests I was able to watch HD streaming video on 6 test stations simultaneous and it worked as expected.

How OneWeb LEO connectivity can help bridge the digital divide

remote connectivity digital divide

In 2020, the world embraced digital transformation at an expedited pace, reimagining technology’s critical role in how we work, learn and live. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic illuminated a long-standing issue: businesses operating in remote and rural areas were being left behind and a digital divide was growing.  

Even before the pandemic, a survey conducted by the National Farmers’ Union at the end of 2019 showed that 90 per cent of farmers believed high-speed broadband was essential for their business. A further 26 per cent reported that slow connectivity had been a barrier to further use of digital solutions. 

The challenge for many remote businesses and industries was that many of them couldn’t take advantage of the digital transformation due to slow fixed broadband and mobile connectivity. A recent survey by the FSB in the UK found that;  

  • 30% of small rural businesses received download speeds of less than 10Mbps 
  • 40% of respondents said the speeds they received were insufficient for their current needs 
  • 57% of small businesses experiencing unreliable voice connectivity. 


The global outlook is even more dire. According to an International Telecommunication Union report, in the developed world the internet penetration rate is 87% but just 47% in developing countries and 19% in the least developed countries. 

Can fixed-line connectivity address the digital divide challenge? 

High-quality broadband connectivity is vital to economic growth and social cohesion. Development in providing not just the basic of connections but also higher throughputs to many across the globe are slowly taking shape, supported by ongoing modernisation of fixed and mobile networks. Despite this fact and the advancements in recent times, there are still so many who experience poor, slow and unreliable connectivity.  

In the UK rural areas despite being offered a range of connectivity options, face reduced speeds, too, with 2020’s average speeds in rural England standing at 51 Mbits/sec versus the urban figure of 84 Mbits/sec, relying on an ageing copper network to provide the final connection to premises.  

Comprehensive broadband and mobile connectivity would enable rural businesses to carry out their everyday business with full confidence. Businesses may need to be able to access customers online, through websites and social media, and use digital tools such as accounting software. An ever increasing number of government services are being made available online, with some of them essential for businesses to access. In addition it would allow innovation to take place, adopting technologies such as cloud computing applications and Artificial Intelligence, which can enable a business to grow and become more productive. 

In order to continue addressing these issues and provide essential services, co-operation and collaboration across all connectivity technology is essential. 

What can satellite connectivity do to bridge the digital divide 

Satellite connectivity is no longer the last resort for providing reliable and affordable solutions to all manor of industries and there are numerous offerings available that are helping to tackle the global digital divide.  Low-latency satellite connectivity is a game-changer. It provides more immediate access to data for critical decisions, cloud connectivity, real-time analytics, and IoT applications, enabling easy remote access for all.  

LEO satellite connection’s dependable, adaptable mobile backhaul capability can help close the digital divide by bringing 4G/5G mobile connectivity to rural areas and enhancing network resilience in areas where more capacity is needed. 

A study by EY in 2021 showed that 33% of SMEs nationwide would be open to considering satellite broadband as a primary connection — if full-fibre broadband was not available at their business site.  

Those same SME’s, this time around 31%, also realised that satellite connectivity can also play a key role as a back-up solution in case of network outages.  

Digitalising remote operations  

It’s not just people who can struggle with remote connectivity, IoT devices that find themselves in the middle of a field or in a distant factory will struggle, and anyone who has tried to make a phone call in the middle of nowhere will understand the issue. 

When installing IoT devices far away from communication infrastructure, engineers may have potential solutions for getting the information from their devices however the cost and potential high-energy usage makes them prohibitive. 

LEO satellite connectivity provided by OneWeb though, allows for constant coverage while having satellites at a much lower altitude. This reduces latency, higher bandwidth and increases the amount of use cases for IoT solutions in remote environments.   

Closing the Digital Divide 

In order to increase online access for individuals in the most remote regions and advance universal connectivity goals, LEO satellite broadband can play a crucial role in expanding the reach and resilience of connectivity. OneWeb was launched with the aim of removing barriers to connectivity that are holding economies and communities back.  

Whether acting as a primary or back-up connectivity solution, OneWeb can help stop remote communities, businesses and organisations from being left behind. By working in partnership with AST, OneWeb can provide fast, flexible, secure, cost-effective, next-generation connectivity solutions and help close that digital divide.  

How Digitalization solutions are transforming the offshore energy industry

offshore digitalization

Digitalization and the advent of Fourth Industrial Age or Industry 4.0,  is driving a truly disruptive transformation within the offshore energy industry. Implementing digital innovation and a data-driven approach in the business can enhance an organization’s competitive advantage.

The combination of the digital world with the physical one is possible due to the Internet of Things (IoT).  It can support a number of new use cases, helping the industry to connect supply chains, improve productivity, enhance worker safety and enable huge cost savings.

With the importance of environmental agendas and a post-pandemic need to future-proof industries and ensure economic security, digitalization could be the solution to help balance productivity with financial and environmental gain.

Digital technologies in the upstream oil & gas sector could result in cash in close to 20% savings.

PwC

Digital Twin

Digital Twin has one of the largest potentials to positively affect the offshore energy industry out of all digitalization technologies. The offshore energy industry is increasingly using digital twin technology to enhance efficiency and safety, reduce maintenance and operating costs, and support asset life extension. Coupled with sensors, the virtual representation of a physical asset and its behaviour allow operators to obtain greater insights in order to improve inspection, maintenance, and repair.

Sensors

Using the network of IoT sensors for oil and gas extraction and processing helps maintain ongoing control in the supply chain and quickly respond to changes. Sensor-based technology can be leveraged to monitor the pressure in the pipes, oversee the drilling process, machinery conditions and detect leakages. In this industry, the high speed of addressing issues usually translates to billions of dollars in savings.

Oil major Shell estimates that digital technologies across all industries have the potential to enable a 20% reduction of global CO2 emissions by 2030, reducing emissions throughout the supply chain from areas such as unnecessary production and transport, as well as by catching accidents such as oil spills and gas leaks to mitigate (and sometimes entirely avoid) damages.  

Tools such as sensors and predictive analytics helping companies to identify sites of damage, sometimes before any leak has even occurred. AST already supports a number of companies with identifying potential defects on maritime vessels using our iRAMS engine monitoring software to improve crew safety and reduce downtime.

Automation

In addition to the technologies like AI and digital infrastructures upgrades, oil and gas companies have also invested in hardware to enhance physical infrastructures.

For example, automation is being used to enhance the platforms themselves.

In October 2018, Equinor celebrated the start-up of the Oseberg H oil platform, the world’s first fully automated oil and gas platform. With no living quarters and no facilities the platform is entirely unmanned, only requiring one or two maintenance visits a year.

Aker BP moved its Ivar Aasen operations in the North Sea to its Trondheim offices in January 2019, becoming the first company on the Norwegian Continental Shelf to operate a staffed platform from an onshore control room.

The platform was constructed with two identical control rooms, with one on the platform and one onshore. The onshore control room monitors production, facilities, equipment and all activity for the platform.

Automation has also been used to improving safety with ‘smart machinery’. Businesses can increase safety by putting in place a centralised, open communication system that links the entire organisation, enabling teams to monitor and report on conditions and occurrences in real-time. Automating dangerous processes will make them more efficient and decrease the possibility of errors resulting in worker injuries.

Augmented Reality (AR)

Wearables already boost efficiency and even save lives in this sector. Sensor-based suits, wristbands, smart glasses and helmets allow to continuously monitor the conditions of the workers which perform dangerous operations, seamlessly connect them with the base and even augment worker’s capabilities providing timely advice, notification or warnings.

By exploiting AR helmets and other digital cleverness, for instance, Saudi Aramco has recorded a 70% increase in safety compliance, as well as a 10% improvement in workforce productivity.

Companies from BP to Chevron are going down a similar path, enticed by AR’s ability to offer digital documentation and step-by-step instructions to staff remotely, either on dry land or miles offshore.

Realising the full potential of Digitalization

The full realisation of these uses for the offshore energy industry rely on next generation connectivity that delivers industrial grade connections at high-speed and low-latency. Evidently OneWeb’s connectivity solution is one that can provide high performance and consistent capability around the world, and do so while minimising offshore energy companies investments while they focus on core business activities.

Significantly the connectivity solution integrates with other infrastructure and digital systems to enable a high-quality experience to the end users while delivering data across a diverse set of detailed use cases and business processes.

With a global network designed to deliver reliable, high-speed coverage everywhere, including above the 60th parallel north, OneWeb provides opportunities for critical high-performance

What are the differences between LEO and GEO satellites?

Over the years there has been a continuous debate across different users of satellite communications about whether Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) or Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (GEO) satellites are more effective at providing communications. With AST’s 30 years of experience in the sector we can outline how each constellation architecture works, their key differences and how their key strengths support different uses.

What are GEO satellites?

GEO satellites work in a geostationary orbit. It is a circular geosynchronous orbit 36,000 kms above the Earth’s equator (or alternatively 42,000 kms radius from the Earth’s centre) following the direction of the Earth’s rotation and takes 24 hours.

Communications satellites in this orbit are fixed above a single point which means that an antenna on Earth does not have to track or rotate but can be pointed permanently at the known position in the sky, despite the satellite actually travelling at 11,300 kms per hour. Satellites require some station keeping in order to maintain position.

The first satellite placed in geostationary orbit was Syncom 3 launched in 1964 and was used to transmit live coverage of the summer Olympics from Japan to the USA. Uses include weather observations, navigation and a huge variety of communications. Intelsat and Inmarsat are two of the better known satellite operators with GEO constellations. 

What are LEO satellites?

LEO satellites work in a low earth orbit. It is an earth-centered orbit close to the planet often specified as an orbital period of 128 minutes making 12 orbits per day. The LEO region is generally accepted to be below 2,000 kms altitude.  Amazingly the mean orbital velocity needed to maintain a stable low earth orbit is about 28,000 kms per hour but reduces with increased orbital altitude.

Unlike GEOs a LEO satellite has a small field of view and so can communicate with only a fraction of the Earth at a time which means that a network is required to provide continuous coverage.

Although the first LEO satellite was launched in the 1950s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that engineers began to challenge the effectiveness of GEO satellites and their architecture (that many LEO satellites had adopted too). That’s when the idea for a LEO satellite constellation first occurred.

What are GEO satellites used for?

Due to GEO’s first mover advantage, the vast majority of communications by satellite are undertaken by GEOs. Each large satellite covers up to one third of the earth’s surface. GEOs do not suffer from intersatellite handoff and are ideal for broadcasting, weather forecasting and satellite radio. GEO satellites provide the backbone of global space communications and continue to be built.

With global communication evolving and demands increasing for uninterrupted low latency communication anywhere in the world, the fixed nature of GEO satellites limits its ability to provide that type of service.  For example if reception is required in an east/west canyon a single GEO satellite may be blocked by a mountain.

What are LEO satellites used for?

LEO satellites provide true global coverage with low latency typically more than five times faster than GEOs, making the user experience more akin to terrestrial fibre connected devices. For this reason, many critical communications are handled over LEO satellite networks, which allow for faster connectivity without wires or cables.

The look angles from an overhead satellite avoids directional obstruction problems since LEO satellites are always moving. The chances of a long or persistent signal blockage are greatly reduced.

The growing LEO satellite communication industry

LEO terminals have inherently been more complicated and expensive to produce when compared to GEO terminals, as they must be able to passively or actively track fast moving satellites.

That cost is starting to be driven down as demand grows for true global internet connectivity  and the potential benefits and uses of low latency/high speed connectivity begins to be realised.

How many LEO satellites cover the earth?

In total there 11,102 LEO satellites covering the earth all providing different connectivity uses for a variety of global industries.

A visualization of the number and complexity of LEO satellites provided by LeoLabs.

leo satellites
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As OneWeb’s constellation and coverage availability continues to grow, service demos are the great opportunity to experience what OneWeb have to offer in terms of connectivity.

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Reducing shipping emissions – how can satellite technology help?

shipping co2 emissions

We often hear in maritime circles the well versed but still startling fact: if ocean shipping were a country, it would be the sixth-largest carbon emitter, releasing more CO2 annually than Germany. In fact, if we carry on unchecked, global shipping carbon emissions could rise from 3% to 17% of the world’s total carbon emissions by 2050.   

The pressure is on to reduce shipping carbon emissions

The industry already knows it has to address shipping carbon emissions. The pressure is not just the political desire to meet the Net Zero 2050 target – it is coming from all angles.

  • Nine big companies including Amazon, Ikea and Unilever have signed up to a pledge to only move cargo on ships using zero-carbon fuel by 2040. 
  • The impact of ESG (Environmental, social and governance) and major bank lending standards. 
  • Even employees are beginning to demand credible, standardized information to support long-term assessments of decarbonization. 

Unlike the motor industry where decisions around power technology, future fuels and supply chains has made notable progress over the past 10 years, the global shipping industry infrastructure is still in its infancy due to its complexity and differences of opinion from influential shipping nations.  

Reducing shipping emissions today

Whilst bigger infrastructure changes are being actively pushed for the longer term, connectivity will play a further role in reducing shipping CO2 emissions and our transition to Net Zero.  

Digital transformation and the adoption of smart technology with low-latency, fibre-like satellite connectivity such as OneWeb can have a significant impact on reducing shipping CO2 emissions and meeting national and global regulations. It can allow operators to source essential data at sea by accessing terrestrial-quality speed and a tenfold increase in bandwidth at sea. This digital transformation allows them to analyse data wherever they are in the world, in real-time, in order to inform their environmental strategies. 

Pairing OneWeb’s connectivity with AST’s iRAMS Telematics solutions, provide all maritime vessel operators the opportunity to operate their vessels at peak performance and in turn reduce shipping carbon emissions.  

  • Fuel efficiency – The iRAMS platform can help reduce fuel usage and subsequent costs by 25%. Data highlights any inefficiencies caused by the skipper or vessels behaviour.
  • Environmental monitoring – Dependent on a vessel owners needs,  iRAMS can help monitor such metrics as CO2 emissions, fuel burn rate, engine performance parameters, electrical monitoring, vessel motion etc. With the consistent connectivity provided by OneWeb, all these elements can help identify performance deficiencies on a vessel and reduce energy usage and reduce potential harmful emissions.
  • Remote asset control – iRAMS doesn’t just offer monitoring as a versatile IoT (Internet of Things) application for telematics – it can provide remote asset control, allowing you to potentially address performance deficiencies and adjust controls remotely from anywhere in the world. 

Together we can achieve Net Zero

The scope of what can be measured and managed remotely through AST’s iRAMS platform is greatly accelerated by the fibre-like, low latency connectivity provided by OneWeb.  

As OneWeb’s first and most experienced maritime partner AST are already looking at how our partnership can help the shipping industry make concerted efforts in reducing carbon emissions and help support the wider decarbonization agenda.  

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OneWeb White Paper

An economical means of bridging the digital divide – OneWeb White Paper

Some of the most compelling reasons for the satellite and broader aerial connectivity push are clear: the size and persistence of the digital divide, and connectivity barriers for businesses operating in rural or remote areas. It can be easy to forget that on a global scale, mobile internet penetration is only 50%. This means around 3.7 billion people (or 3 billion adults) remain offline, most of whom reside in India, China, Africa and a handful of populous lower-income Asian countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia. OneWeb estimate 25% of this unconnected population – approximately 780 million people – live outside of range of a 3G or 4G signal.

The OneWeb White Paper lays out the case for how the digital divide can be bridged.

Connecting from the sky – Reinventing the final frontier

Powering the digitalisation of the oceans – AST and OneWeb at Europort2021

At Europort 2021 we proudly showcased our wide-ranging remote connectivity services for the maritime industry. For the first time, this included OneWeb that provides high-speed connectivity everywhere – on land and sea. This important milestone in fibre-like connectivity from space demonstrates that AST, their official partner, has the know-how and experience to be at the forefront of worldwide communications.

During the event we heard from Carole Plessy, Head of OneWeb Maritime; Richard Beecham, Director of Global Partnerships & Strategic and Stuart Castell, Director at AST Group. They described how OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation will transform maritime operations.

OneWeb’s pledge to the ​Maritime Industry

OneWeb’s pledge is  to ‘Fully connect  and empower the bridge and ​the crew in remote locations to feel at home.’ This means, low latency and low barrier to entry with reliable, very low-cost hardware and speeds reaching 100Mbps+​ , globally, pole to pole.

OneWeb have set out to transform maritime connectivity to meet the requirements of seafarers expecting the same level of online access as those on shore – with abundant high-speed online access​ at a very low cost. By providing high-speed and low-latency connections, operational restraints​ will be reduced improving operational efficiencies and meeting increasingly stringent compliance requirements.

Setting new standards for crew

During the pandemic up to 400,000 seafarers were stranded on vessels across the world, with an average connection speed at 1-5Mbps (vs. 60Mbps+ on shore https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-52646811) video calls were not an option. Crew welfare has become essential and connectivity can improve both crew retention and morale by connecting families and friends whilst away from home​, 1 GB per day with speed reaching 100Mbps+, provides an hour of video call home, an hour of rich media content.

External forces are also driving a digital transformation for operations

  • Push for lower carbon fuel efficiencies
  • ​Vessel optimisation solutions​
  • Arrival at berth in a timely manner
  • ​Financial predictability

Typically, 90% of data usage is driven by crew and ship owners are not always focussing on operational efficiencies which causes operational restraints. What if 1TB of data per vessel per month became the standard?  It would truly open up IoT opportunities, rich data set -100s of data point per minutes could be sent back to shore, driving operational efficiency, opening up opportunities for shore assisted vessel operations, real-time regulatory compliance and connecting the bridge to shore ‘face to face’.

What does the future look like with OneWeb?

Connectivity will be abundant and affordable, enabling vessel operators to

  • Improve operational efficiency​
  • Use AI assisted operations​
  • Enhance crew welfare and happiness onboard

How OneWeb will transform​ Maritime connectivity​?

OneWeb is confident that they are bringing a transformational change to connectivity which will revolutionise the industry over the course of the next four years.

10 x Maritime Capacity​

10 x High Speed​

10 x Improved Latency​

99% Shipping routes including throughout the Arctic​

100% Designed with security built-in

To know more about our latest solutions get in touch with one of our experts here. 

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Press release

Key step towards the future of remote connectivity for the AST Group and OneWeb

This week, OneWeb’s Maritime team had a long-awaited in-person meeting with colleagues at The AST Group.

This week, OneWeb’s Maritime team – Carole Plessy, Dave Bell and Alexandra Kenworthy got to have that long-awaited in-person meeting. They met our colleagues at The AST Group – Gregory Darling, Stuart Castell and Barney Gray. The main business of the day was to plan the smooth onboarding of The AST Group as we move closer to undertaking customer beta trials and delivering fixed services to support remote connectivity in Northern Europe before the end of the year.

Together, we will be offering fixed-land and maritime customers access to OneWeb’s fast, flexible and affordable connectivity solutions seamlessly in even the most remote locations on land and at sea. Once the full commercial service is available in 2022, OneWeb will be providing AST’s customers, primarily in the commercial shipping, fishing, leisure and high-end offshore sectors with OneWeb’s fibre-like alternative to current solutions.

Gregory Darling, Founder and Chairman of the AST Group said:

We know that companies in the maritime and offshore industries are embracing digitalisation as they seek to decarbonise, sustainability and governance standards being high on the agenda together with continuous business performance and remote personnel welfare – all of which are underpinned by the need for more technology and data. We are well placed to lead the way and are delighted to be part of the future of remote connectivity on sea and land.

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