{mprestriction ids="1,2"}The new contract follows the successful completion of a pilot with the shipping firm, and the service is now deployed on six of its vessels.
Network connectivity carries a specific set of challenges along the Northern Sea Route, which runs from the Barents Sea, near Russia’s border with Norway, to the Bering Strait between Siberia and Alaska, where access to geostationary satellite services can be limited.
Maritime Connect combines multiple networks, including satellite, to provide the most suitable connectivity option in different areas, allowing the ships to access updated ice conditions and keep their electronic chart systems up-to-date.
A local phone number is allocated to each ship, and crew are able to use unlimited internet and make home video calls from personal smartphones via the deployed Wi-Fi network, Orange says.
“For commercial shipping, speed of deployment is very important, in addition to the reliability of the partner and the quality of services provided,” said Mikhail Artyukhov, CEO, Arctic Shipping Company.
“The seasonal window where we are able to use the Northern Sea Route is very limited, so the installation should be carried out quickly and without hitches. With installation completed in just two days, our partners were able to carry out the work during a short stay in port.”{/mprestriction}