At IEC Telecom, we are constantly evolving as we aim to keep you connected when and where it matters the most. Discover the latest developments in our corporate story.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain: As IEC Telecom Group continues its commitment to expanding digitalisation at sea, this week the satcom expert is heading to Palma International Boat Show to showcase its new connectivity solution, aiming to transform the quality of service on board leisure vessels.
Yacht owners are investing heavily in connectivity infrastructures. The latest Superyacht Connectivity Report reveals that 74% of yacht owners expect to increase their satcom budget by 25% by 2025. Considering that 47% of the world’s yacht trips are based in the Mediterranean Sea, PIBS is the perfect backdrop to showcase the latest solution in the field.
Xpand Portfolio is a new all-inclusive satcom solution by IEC Telecom. Powered by Starlink and enhanced by a range of proprietary value-added services – such as reliable back-up, 24/7 support, and optimised applications – the new solution manages vessel and guest connectivity in real-time.
Gwenaël Lohéac, Chief Procurement Officer and President of Europe & West Africa at IEC Telecom Group explains: “With Starlink now offering global maritime coverage, yachtsmen and women can now enjoy fast speed connectivity wherever they set sail. However, speed is only one of the parameters. Functionality and management of the system are crucial to ensure the best user experience on board. This is exactly what Xpand is made for.”
Browsing social media, connecting to video calls, or streaming Netflix, yacht operators expect to enjoy the same lifestyle at sea as at home. While technically both VSAT and LEO-based terminals can meet these requirements, data-consuming entertainment can potentially monopolise networks and affect the work of vessel critical systems connected to the web. Pre-equipped with a network management system, Xpand mitigates such risks. The captain can now monitor and manage network resources in real time via a user-friendly dashboard. In addition, Xpand offers a range of remote solutions for more complicated interventions, such as maintenance or system upgrades.
Xpand provides a bespoke onboard information system to satisfy the demands of the most sophisticated users. This technology allows synchronised reading from multiple devices and giving guests access to a range of useful information such as route, weather, menus, announcements from the captain etc., via individual customised dashboards.
“The face of the yachting industry is changing and satcom connectivity needs to evolve to meet the needs of new and very connected generations,” Mr Loheac comments. “We’re excited to bring Xpand to the yachting sector and are confident it provides the future-proof solution that tech-savvy yacht operators are searching for.”
With the Asia-Pacific region witnessing exceptional growth and development, there is also tremendous demand for digitalisation across major trading sectors, especially the maritime industry. Inamarine 2022 represents the perfect opportunity for key decision-makers in the offshore, shipbuilding, logistics, port safety and environmental protection sectors to address the latest trends in the global maritime industry.
Inamarine 2022 commands strong support from the Indonesian government and key trade associations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Taking place from October 19th to 21st, 2022 at JIExpo Kemayoran in Jakarta, the 10th edition of Indonesia’s largest international trade fair for the maritime and offshore industry is expected to draw 500+ exhibitors and 25,000+ visitors from over 15 countries. IEC Telecom Group, an international provider of satellite communications services, and Blue C Mobile, a Singaporean provider of maritime solutions, have teamed up to offer affordable and scalable digital tools for all vessel types in the Asia-Pacific region.
As the modern maritime industry weighs in on sustainability and compliance, IEC Telecom’s advanced back-up solution and Blue C Mobile’s powerful VSAT service deliver the benefits of digitalisation to all market sectors. “The demand for digitalisation in the APAC region is on the rise, especially among small and mid-sized vessels. The partnership between IEC Telecom and Blue C Mobile aims to enable seamless access to a wide range of business and welfare applications for all vessel types. This solution is specially designed for 60cm Ku-band antennae together with a highly optimised L-band network,” shares Nabil Ben Soussia, Group CCO and President – Asia, Middle East and CIS, IEC Telecom Group.
The APAC maritime satellite communications market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11% between 2021 and 2026. This progress is being driven by increasing ship traffic in the region, evolving maritime security policies, and the critical emphasis on improving safety for the onboard crew and seaborne assets. There is a demand for advanced security systems and seamless onboard connectivity in China, Japan, Indonesia, and India. In fact, the demand for data and maritime analytics is expected to grow the market to a valuation of $370 million by 2028.
“Digital technologies have become fundamental to gaining a competitive edge, and companies in the APAC region are embracing digitalisation to improve cargo handling, freight routing, port operations, crew deployment, and much more,” says Wesley Tham, CEO, Blue C Mobile. “By joining efforts with IEC Telecom, we pledge to enable these critical needs and guarantee business continuity, especially for the smaller vessel’s owners and operators. Digitalisation is now accessible at over 300% more monthly data and 20% savings than their current satcom set-up.”
Digitalisation enables the provision of real-time data, which supports effective decision-making to increase operational efficiency, optimise safety processes, and decrease fuel consumption. Moreover, dedicated onboard connectivity ensures improved safety for the crew, precise coordination of their work, and better working conditions onboard. The cumulative effect of digitalisation leads to significant cost reduction, reaching up to 30% of savings within the operational budget.
Visitors to Inamarine 2022 can familiarise themselves with Blue C Mobile’s VSAT solution as well as explore IEC Telecom’s backup system and value-added services. Blue C Mobile’s VSAT solution is powered by an affordable, high-performance, and lightweight 60cm VSAT antenna. This has been designed keeping in mind the specific needs of small and mid-sized vessels that usually have no space for a costly satellite set-up. With an integrated antenna management system and a single cable connection, this compact set-up reduces freight and deployment costs for leisure boats, fishing boats, and offshore vessels, making VSAT service affordable and accessible.
IEC Telecom’s backup is powered by the OneGate network management system, enabling a seamless switch between VSAT and L-band. The smart terminal is controlled via a digital dashboard, enabling 24/7 access for ICT professionals ashore. In addition, OneGate offers a wide range of applications optimised for marine communications, including videoconferencing, tele-maintenance, e-learning, IoT, and asset surveillance.
“Digitalisation is no longer a luxury, but an operational need. For years, it was perceived as a benefit reserved for certain market sectors. Together with our partner Blue C Mobile, we are on a mission to unwind these myths. We have joined efforts to prove that access to technologies can be affordable for all vessel types, whether a large commercial ship or a small fishing vessel,” says Mr. Ben Soussia.
Satellite connectivity specialist IEC Telecom has strengthened its offering for the sailing and yachting sector with the opening of a new office in Lorient, France, and the launch of OneGate Marine Compact – a new lightweight digital solution which is ideal for leisure and racing boats.
Located in Brittany on the Atlantic coast and boasting a dedicated long dock for ocean-going competitive boats, Lorient is often called France’s yachting headquarters. Opening a new office here enables IEC Telecom to fully focus on this important sector, providing a range of telecommunication solutions to meet all needs.
Brittany’s boating sector generates a revenue of €205 million and employs 1,536 people, while competition sailing in France generates a turnover of €56 million, with 711 jobs tied to it in 162 companies. This ecosystem includes more than 160 industrial and service companies, skippers, racing teams, research laboratories and training courses, provides a variety of skills.
The launch of OneGate Marine Compact enables IEC Telecom to bring the very latest in digital connectivity to the leisure sector, providing optimum connectivity in an affordable and easily installed format.
OneGate Marine Compact is an agile, lightweight, highly-adaptable and easy-to-install digital communications system which gives complete access to the benefits of digital connectivity even on smaller vessels – making it ideal for racing boats and leisure craft.
According to the 2018 Inmarsat study, the top three connectivity requirements among yacht owners are: speed, bandwidth volume and price.
OneGate Compact particularly addresses yacht owners’ particular requirements by:
This flexibility is important because 87% of the year yachts sail within 20km of the shore and so do not need access to costly satellite links. In addition, 41% say that 3G/4G is their main method for providing onboard entertainment while cruising. Therefore having a hybrid solution which can switch seamlessly between GSM and VSAT communications to ensure best and most economic performance and use of data is an important factor.
For superyacht users, it is important for guests to have access to excellent personal connectivity. Research shows that 38% of superyacht satcoms traffic is for the owner and guests, with 37% used by crew and only 25% utilised for operational systems. OneGate Compact incorporates an integrated voucher system which can generate individual passcodes for guests to enjoy connectivity while on board, thus making sure that guests do not utilise corporate traffic and vice versa.
OneGate Marine Compact’s virtual dashboard facilitates the upgrading and updating of its systems remotely by shore-based staff, which saves on the time and costs of sending an engineer to access the vessel as well as providing additional flexibility to amend the system to meet connectivity needs in real time. This is a particularly important factor at this current time where Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and quarantine measures make access to vessels difficult.
Announcing these new developments, Gwenael Loheac, CEO Western & Southern Europe, IEC Telecom Group, said: “IEC Telecom is well established in the racing and yachting sectors. We know this market very well and what our customers require. They want the same level of connectivity at sea as they have in the office, they want to have more bandwidth, dedicated software and systems, and they want to save money.”
“OneGate Compact will help the sailor to have a better quality of service and to save money. Up until now this type of box was only available to bigger vessels. With this Compact version we are able to introduce new services to the racing and leisure boat markets and to bring the benefits of digitalisation to them.”
