SES boosts sat-based WiFi to cruise ships
September 29, 2017
By Chris Forrester
A modern cruise liner can have as many as 6,000 passengers, plus crew, and is in essence a small town on the water. Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest leisure travel company, says it has contracted with MedallionNet, a “game-changing” connectivity service enabled by SES Networks. “MedallionNet will provide guests with easy-to-access Wi-Fi that features exceptional speeds and bandwidth, pervasive stateroom signal strength and unprecedented service consistency,” says the company.
SES Networks is providing the bandwidth to the service. SES is using both its Geo fleet and Mid-Earth orbiting fleet of O3b satellites to provide seamless connectivity to passengers.
This innovative service is also enabled by hardware and software shipboard technology advances associated with Carnival Corporation’s proprietary O·C·E·A·N Experience Platform.
“Staying connected is inextricably linked to our daily life experiences and that now extends to the vacation experience, even when sailing in the middle of the sea,” said John Padgett, chief experience and innovation officer for Carnival Corporation. “MedallionNet will set the new standard for Wi-Fi service at sea and we look forward to rolling it out to our guests. Our top priority is doing everything we can to exceed guest expectations, and by listening closely to our guests, we know Wi-Fi connectivity is important to many of our guests. For guests who want to disconnect, they are free to do so. But for those who want to stay connected, MedallionNet will make it easy for them – and that includes being able to easily send photos, videos and messages letting everyone know they are having a fabulous vacation.”