The ESA-sponsored project's objective was to significantly improve the availability of internet access on ships at sea. Compared to commonly-used existing systems, the Wired Ocean system has the potential to increase internet access speeds by a factor of ten and to reduce costs by a factor of 70 to 90%.
The technology uses a 'hybrid' of broadband Ku-band satellites for the downlink and narrowband mobile satellites (or cellular) for the uplink. The server interfaces to a tracking TV receive only (TVRO) antenna to receive the downlink and to a narrowband terminal for the uplink. As many ships already have either a TVRO antenna or narrowband terminal or both, internet access can be achieved with incremental equipment costs.
The ten-vessel trials were completed at the end of 2005. In parallel with undertaking the trials, Wired Ocean developed and improved the infrastructure for commercial service operation. In January 2006, almost all of the trial users were seamlessly transitioned to the commercial service. Following this main contract, an additional phase of work was implemented in the middle of 2006 to enhance the existing service with Push services, and DVB/IP roaming.
The first platform on the Eurobird satellite (28.5 degrees East) had been developed with a number of specialist technologies to enhance the service. To be able to expand the same service to other geographic areas, there was the need to be able to carry the same service enhancements on other satellite DVB/IP platforms. The Eurobird became the master platform with the Hotbird satellite as the subordinate platform.
By 2007, Wired Ocean had expanded the coverage on Eurobird with commercial services operating on Hotbird7 and Thor2 satellites using the DVB/IP roaming implementation. The Push services recently developed allow ships to receive a variety of information without using the uplink channel. These services will be trialled over the coming months and will be bundled into the commercial service offering.
"Wired Ocean has built up a European network of approved marine electronics dealers who install the satellite broadband server and connect ships to a service package," said Barendse. "Our services are benefiting passenger and cargo ships, sailing yachts and superyachts, fishing, tug and government vessels."
The ESA Telecom Start-up Projects Initiative is designed to open the door for business innovation for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). It helps SMEs through the early development stages of researching and refining a business proposition. "This early help was invaluable to us," said Mr. Barendse.
Norbert Hübner, ESA Telecom Start-up Projects Initiative Contact says; "We have seen that our initiative is able to help new businesses developing products and services and to enter the satellite communication sector, but to stay in the market and become successful is eventually determined by the decisiveness and endurance of the companies. And Wired Ocean has demonstrated such characteristics."
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