New SAILOR Dual Fleet Broadband Antenna Solution Secures Continuous Connectivity

Cobham SATCOM announces at Nor-Shipping 2013 a new SAILOR FleetBroadband Dual Antenna solution, which has been designed to secure uninterrupted data and voice communications on vessels. The innovative new solution consists of two SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband solutions and a Dual Antenna Control Unit (DACU), which can automatically switch between antennas without loss of connectivity.

With the ability to position two SAILOR FleetBroadband antennas at different locations on a vessel, challenges experienced when a single antenna may become obstructed by superstructure, masts, rigging and other equipment can be overcome. This makes the SAILOR FleetBroadband Dual Antenna solution ideal for specialist vessels using critical IP applications over FleetBroadband, where loss of connectivity could significantly affect the outcome of a costly or hazardous operation.

Following straightforward installation and configuration where both SAILOR FleetBroadband solutions are connected to the DACU, users experience the same high voice and data quality as with a standard SAILOR FleetBroadband installation, but with the added advantage that as soon as the active antenna loses sight to the satellite, the back-up will come on line to ensure continuous connectivity. The two solutions work as a single system, with the same IP address, a single SIM card and one monthly bill.

“SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband is the market leading Inmarsat FleetBroadband solution so we are keen to offer its proven reliability and user-friendliness in a dual solution configuration for vessels where continuous connectivity is vital to operational safety and efficiency," comments Casper Jensen, VP Maritime Business, Cobham SATCOM. “Whilst developing a technically advanced approach, we have also ensured our solution has only minimal extra hardware costs, in order to enable as many vessels to take advantage of it as possible."

The SAILOR 500 FleetBroadband Dual Antenna solution will be shown during Nor-Shipping 2013 on the Cobham SATCOM stand (T02-20).