Compact antennas still bring fast data speeds

The 45 centimetre antennas are small enough to hand carry aboard vessels and easy to install. They are also easy to connect to the Intelsat FlexMaritime network, which provides fast data speeds of up to 6 x 2 megabits per second (Mbps), enabling everything from accessing real-time online weather forecasts to livestreaming on social media.

The new Intelsat maritime mobility solution enabled by the 45cm antenna is ideal for fishing, leisure, tugs and other workboats, as well as smaller or coastal merchant ships looking for fast, affordable and reliable broadband connectivity.

“Our new 45cm antenna class on FlexMaritime is a new, highly innovative offering in the maritime market,” said Intelsat Director of Maritime Products Shane Rossbacher. “By combining new 45cm antenna technology with the FlexMaritime global HTS satellite network, we have enabled smaller commercial and recreational vessels to easily, and affordably, access the same great connectivity using a smaller and cost-effective antenna form factor.”

45cm terminals from KNS and Intellian are qualified on the Intelsat FlexMaritime network. They come with a choice of separate or integrated Antenna Control Unit (ACU) and a modem powered by ST Engineering iDirect. Connectivity is provided by the high-performance Intelsat FlexMaritime network, which delivers unparalleled, multi-layered global coverage through more than 140 satellite beams.

Intelsat partners have tested extensively over the last year using the new 45cm antenna platforms; the KNS C4 qualified in January 2020, and the Intellian V45C qualified in January 2021.

By Jake Frith