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Oilfield Technology
September 2016
to provide the best available link based on pre-defined
parameters set and managed by the customer. With a service
delivery independent of specific carriers, cost can be reduced
and greater flexibility and control provided for the customer. As
such, the Tampnet North Sea LTE connectivity augments VSAT
services. The multi-band approach provides least-cost/best
performance routing to ensure highly reliable and high bandwidth
communication across the fleet whether using the Tampnet
network or VSAT.
Multi-bandconfiguration
Tampnet connectivity is configured much the same way as the VSAT
services on board. ‘Closed user groups (CUG)’, otherwise known
as ‘pooled services’ ensure that the service instantly recognises a
Simon Møkster vessel, and shares bandwidth accordingly from a
dedicated pool. With dedicated capacity for its fleet, the company’s
vessels can be sure that VSAT and North Sea LTE services will
always be available as bandwidth is not shared with other shipping
companies. This supports the company’s ability to fully utilise
business collaboration tools like Microsoft Skype for Business
(formerly Lync), as well as ensuring clients on board receive the
throughput they request. The availability of the service also means
that more VSAT bandwidth will be available to vessels not in LTE
coverage. Essentially, two dedicated CUGs are operational. Any
vessel in one CUG at any specific moment will not be placing
demand on the other CUG.
The company’s solution ensures flexible bandwidth provision
for even the most diverse and demanding applications requested by
clients. With the
Stril Server
project, Marlink temporarily increased
available VSAT bandwidth on specific request. Now though, extra
bandwidth through Tampnet North Sea LTE will be available
on demand for North Sea operations, negating the need for
Simon Møkster to order VSAT bandwidth increases. This is the next
step in communications flexibility at sea.
Leveraging lowlatency
Though the flexibility of switching between Tampnet services and
VSAT is vital, the low latency of LTE is an attractive benefit. With
Tampnet LTE, the latency is approximately 30 - 40 ms, making live
video a smooth experience because the lower latency accounts for
any perceived reduction in bandwidth. It is expected that this will
benefit a wide variety of client operations. For instance, subsea
maintenance companies desire a live feed from a remotely operated
vehicle, not just on a vessel but also in the office on shore. Providing
this over VSAT is not always optimal, but the low latency of the
service ensures that viewers of the feed on shore have a seamless
experience.
The low latency is not just for the benefit of clients either.
Simon Møkster runs a sophisticated operation, using online
applications for vessel and fleet management, and logistics.
Systems such as Unisea (HSEQ, QA, and reporting) and TM Master
(maintenance) require a reliable connection to ensure high
availability and smooth daily operations. All of the above have been
operating well over the existing VSAT connection on board, but with
a VSAT CUG and a lower latency LTE CUG, the vessels have a seamless
connection to their business and operationally critical tools.
Ensuring a guaranteed speed on the ‘business’ network on
board is a top priority. The next priority is the crew communication
network that can be used during off-time with their private devices
over wi-fi. The combination of VSAT and LTE strengthens the ‘bring
your own device’ (BYOD) concept for crew.
Seamlessconnectivity
Multi-band set-up is expected to be the future of vessel
communications. The balance between VSAT and LTE offers
benefits in cost, available capacity and lower latency. With this, a
fleet can achieve much more, for less. Operations are improved,
clients are more satisfied and crews are happier. However,
it is not just as simple as bolting on 4G/LTE equipment. The
configuration is complex, which is why Tampnet LTE was delivered
via Simon Møkster’s VSAT supplier. Understanding the operational
benefits that LTE could deliver, the company had followed
Tampnet’s development for some years. Once the infrastructure was
mature enough in the North Sea, instead of just buying the service,
they advised Tampnet to work with Marlink in order to develop a
fully integrated system. With automatic service switching times in
milliseconds, the service is essentially seamless.
The advice for fleet owners wishing to integrate high speed
4G/LTE services into their communication systems is simple. It is
very important to build a partnership with a satcom service provider
and benefit from having a single supplier in order to get the most
seamless communication service possible. Offshore communication
is a complex area, with the need for close integration of carriers
to ensure the best available connectivity at all times. Through the
partnership approach though, ship owners can benefit from access
to a range of solutions that are continuously developed to meet
changing requirements of not only the ship-owner, but their clients
as well. Without this partnership, the flexibility to adapt and evolve
communication services will often become mere co-ordination
between different suppliers, rather than innovating new solutions
and services in a partnership between ship owner and satcom
service provider.
Figure 3.
Marlinkwas the company behind the introduction of
‘stabilised’ antennas for VSAT services; essentially the catalyst for
modernmaritime vessel communications.
