COMSYS released the thrid edition of its Maritime VSAT report. The report projects vigorous growth in the maritime VSAT market, forecasting that the number of vessels in service will double by 2016, bringing the total number of VSATs in service to more than 26,000. Market revenue expanded 9% in 2010 and 2011 and is now close to $1 billion, due to increased demand for bandwidth.
The COMSYS report, which details the growth of maritime VSAT services, confirms that iDirect is the de-facto leader among ground infrastructure providers and is emerging as the platform of choice for high throughput services, affirmed by partnerships with several major satellite operators. The rport Further, COMSYS notes that iDirect’s new X7 remote significantly raises the performance of its Evolution system to support higher data rates, challenging SCPC as the solution of choice for bandwidth intense applications.
The report say iDirect's remote terminals account for nearly half of all VSATs installed in the maritime market, at an installation rate more than twice any other vendor. The report also finds that 14 of the largest 20 maritime service providers use iDirect’s satellite communications platform, and these companies lead the way in almost all of the major market segments including vessels in the high end segments of cruise and oil and gas vessels.
Meanwhile, in a related development Globecomm Systems Inc. announced that it has reached a maritime industry milestone, providing connectivity services to 3,500 ships globally.
Globecomm Maritime provides a wide array of connection platforms, from L-band to GSM and VSAT, as well as a suite of value-added software products, aligning its service provision to fast-changing customer needs.
This tremendous growth in the maritime market has seen Globecomm connect more than half of its customers over Inmarsat platforms, with the remainder divided between Iridium, VSAT, and GSM technology.
Malcom McMaster, President of Globecomm Maritime, said: “2012 has been an excellent year for Globecomm Maritime. We have remained focused on core technologies such as Inmarsat FleetBroadband, but have also expanded our range of services, with emphasis on extended Ku-band coverage and our combined Ku-band/L-band service se@FLEX. Reaching 1,800 active Inmarsat terminals demonstrates the success of continuing to support core maritime technology while at the same time providing cost-effective services that our customers have come to know and trust.”
Milestones for Globecomm Maritime include installing 300 Wi-Fi networks to enable managed internet access for ships’ crews, combining hybrid VSAT and GSM services, enabling remote access to onboard IT networks and providing firewall and anti-virus products that keep vessels safe and compliant.
