Vessel connectivity is the way a ship stays connected to the world while sailing at sea.
Because ships are far away from land, normal internet does not work. Instead, vessels use satellite connectivity to enable:
Internet access for crew
Email and phone communication
Operational systems and monitoring
Secure data exchange with shore offices
Modern ships depend on reliable connectivity for operations, safety, and crew welfare.
There are three main satellite technologies used in maritime connectivity. Each one has a different purpose.
GEO satellites are positioned far above the Earth and have been used in shipping for many years.
GEO satellites have been used in shipping for many years and provide stable, worldwide coverage using Ka-band, Ku-band and C-band frequencies, making them ideal for email, reporting, monitoring and compliance traffic, but less suitable for video calls or heavy internet use due to higher latency
LEO satellites operate much closer to Earth and deliver fast, low latency internet at sea, making them ideal for crew WiFi, video calls and cloud applications, with services such as Starlink and OneWeb already in use today, while Amazon Kuiper is an upcoming LEO network expected to expand future maritime connectivity options.
MEO satellites operate between GEO and LEO and offer a balance between coverage and latency.They are typically used as part of managed or hybrid connectivity solutions, helping vessels achieve better performance without relying on one single satellite layer.
LTE, 4G and 5G maritime connectivity solutions provide high-speed and low-cost internet access for ships when operating close to shore or in port, and are commonly integrated into vessel networks to reduce satellite airtime usage while improving performance for data-heavy applications.
FleetBroadband (FBB) is a reliable L-band maritime satellite service that is widely used on vessels for voice communication, email, safety services and basic data connectivity, and is often installed as a backup or secondary connection alongside broadband satellite systems.
