Luxembourg-based satellite connectivity and solutions provider SES has announced a partnership with SpaceX's Starlink that promises to revolutionize connectivity for the cruise industry by integrating Starlink's and SES's services. According to the joint statement, the cruise industry will, for the first time, receive an end-to-end connectivity solution capable of delivering up to 3 Gbps of bandwidth per ship.
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Integrated Connectivity Solution
SES announced this week that cruise operators can now depend on a single managed solution that seamlessly integrates Starlink's low-earth orbit (LEO) and SES's medium-earth orbit (MEO) services.
Dubbed "SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink," this integrated solution will provide high-speed and secure connectivity 24/7 to cruise ships and their guests, regardless of a ship's route or location.
Two Tiers of Service
This new offering will combine the strengths of both MEO and LEO orbits, providing cruise operators with two tiers of service. The Premium tier offers a remarkable 3 Gbps per ship, ideal for leading cruise ships aiming to provide top-tier throughput.
On the other hand, the Pro tier delivers 1.5 Gbps per ship, catering to operators who prioritize user experience by matching the right application to the right orbit.
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SES, which has been delivering GEO and MEO-enabled networks and connectivity to cruise operators for the last 10 years, has announced that it is teaming up with SpaceX's Starlink to expand its cruise offering.
Meeting Growing Demands
"By being the only one in the cruise industry to expand our unique multi-orbit GEO and MEO network to utilise LEO, we believe it opens new opportunities for us to meet the needs of cruise guests and crew members, and the operational requirements of cruise operators to accelerate their digital transformations - wherever they may be," said SES.
In its statement, SES announced that as the cruise industry invests heavily in passenger experiences and addresses environmental concerns, the demand for always-on, high-performance connectivity has surged. SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink, available in Q4 2023, is expected to meet the growing demands.
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SES stated that this solution will elevate ship connectivity worldwide, setting a new standard while reducing upfront capital costs and ongoing operational expenses.
