VesseLINK utilizing Iridium CertusSM gives your critical marine operation global communications coverage. It is the communications solution to depend on for essential communications whenever and wherever you are at sea.
VesseLINK utilizing Iridium CertusSM gives your critical marine operation global communications coverage. It is the communications solution to depend on for essential communications whenever and wherever you are at sea. Whether you operate a large fleet or a single vessel, this commercialized, military-grade solution is designed to meet your unique challenges through a simple, adaptable and robust design.
VesseLINK on Iridium operates using Iridium CertusSM broadband services over a network of 66 satellites that cover 100% of the globe, including deep oceans and the poles. The solution utilizes this robust network service to provide highly reliable, mobile and essential voice, text and web communications.
Thales unveiled its terminal and VesseLink service that will use Iridium Certus. It includes a high-gain electronic phased array antenna that weighs 3.2kg and a below-deck unit. Thales VesseLink will enable data streaming up to 256 kbps and IP data sessions up to 700 kbps downlink and 352 kbps uplink.
Thales head of maritime Robert Squire said it will have 10 times the throughput of existing Iridium services. “It will be lightweight, easy to install and have only one cable between the antenna and the below-deck unit,” he added. Additional features include pairing to 4G services, embedded WiFi access, an optional handset, and Android and iOS support functionality.
Testing is about to begin at Thales’ Maryland, USA offices. The terminal will then be tested at sea during the rest of this year, said Thales director of sales for satellite communications solutions Brian Aziz. Initially VesseLink will operate at around 350 kbps, but Mr Aziz expects speeds of 700 kbps to be available early in 2019. “Our antenna is solid-state, electronically-steered and will constantly have a link to an overhead satellite. The terminal will have three Ethernet ports, dynamic switching and cellular connections.” It will have WiFi, public exchange for inter-vessel communications and an associated Android-enabled handset.
More Information
PRODUCT TYPE
SATELLITE INTERNET
USE TYPE
MARITIME
BRAND
THALES
MODEL
VESSELINK
PART #
VF350BM
NETWORK
IRIDIUM
USAGE AREA
100% GLOBAL
SERVICE
IRIDIUM CERTUS LAND
DATA SPEED
UP TO 352 / 700 kbps (SEND / RECEIVE)
STREAMING IP
UP TO 256 kbps
FREQUENCY
L BAND (1-2 GHz)
OPERATING TEMPERATURE
-30ºC to 55ºC (-22°F to 131°F)
• Reliable satellite communications for at sea operations • Providing 100% global coverage you can depend on • Enabling essential communications for critical operations and enhanced safety features • Simple, adaptable and robust to meet the unique challenges of maritime environments • Delivering data and voice communications with low latency
Iridium Global Coverage Map
Iridium delivers essential communications services to and from remote areas where no other form of communication is available. Powered by a uniquely sophisticated global constellation of 66 cross-linked Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, the Iridium® network provides high-quality voice and data connections over the planet’s entire surface, including across airways, oceans, and polar regions. Together with its ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. At only 780 kilometers from the Earth, the proximity of Iridium’s LEO network means pole-to-pole coverage, a shorter transmission path, stronger signals, lower latency, and shorter registration time than with GEO satellites. In space, each Iridium satellite is linked to up to four others creating a dynamic network that routes traffic among satellites to ensure global coverage, even where traditional local systems are unavailable.
