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Marlink announces new cross-carrier hybrid comms system

Marlink announces new cross-carrier hybrid comms system
Marlink is unveiling a SMARTconnect, a hybrid comms solution designed for users of Marlink’s customised Sealink VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) services, combining multiple communication carriers to provide the best available link at any given time.

The service will include carriers on Ku-, Ka-, C- and L-band satcom services combined with 3G/4G LTE, Wi-Fi and Tampnet LTE, and Wi-Fi services in port, switching seamlessly between them. Further, SMARTconnect will ensure that that priority is always given to the least costly carrier in the area, simplifying the switching process while ensuring no loss of coverage for the end user.

“Our direct sales arm Marlink has successfully provided multi-carrier services to customers in the past, but with new and emerging communication services now more available, we feel that the time is right to introduce a much wider consolidated bandwidth approach, focusing on the application of connectivity by our customers and not on the channel it is delivered on,” said Eric Ceuppens, head of Satcoms at Marlink parent company Airbus Defence and Space.

Marlink also announced a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) services contract renewal with DOF Group, for five more years, with options to further extend the services. The new contract covers 60 vessels, eight more than on the previous contract, including several imminent newbuilds.

“We are keen to continuously improve our support by developing the best solution for each vessel and the fleet going forward,” said Gunhild Moen, director key accounts, Marlink. “Our goal is to deliver the best cost vs bandwidth return on investment, whilst ensuring access to advanced features such as the ability to dynamically increase bandwidth, so DOF can demonstrate flexibility towards clients that may have changing communication needs for specific projects.”