Cobham Wireless is a part of a pioneering project to enable high-quality LTE Technology on a moving sea vessel using its market-leading digital DAS (Distributed Antenna System). This ensures crew and passengers can enjoy communications services as far as 50 km from the shoreline without the need to use expensive and service-limiting IP-over-satellite technology.
While satellite will remain the primary method for communications in open water, when vessels are closer to the coast, DAS can connect to the cellular signal from the land to provide seamless and reliable voice and data services. Using DAS offers cost savings and reduces latency compared to satellite technology. This system has already been installed into a super yacht and has the potential to be used on any sea faring craft that spends significant periods close to the coastline. Using an external multiband donor antenna positioned outside of the yacht, Cobham Wireless’ DIGImini booster moves the capacity to an internal antenna which provides coverage using SIM cards from three different networks. This system is configured to enable a seamless switch to satellite services when the cellular signal falls below a pre-set level.
According to Hebert Sedas, Director of Sales, Cobham Wireless Latin America, DAS amplification systems have the potential to set a new standard in marine communications technology, expanding the availability of voice and data services away from being exclusively used for traffic deemed to be high priority.
