The new services are live and are being implemented to meet the growing demand from guests for fast social media and web access, access to work and streaming services.
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises ceo commented: 'Working with Marlink, we are rolling out state-of-the-art technology to allow them to stay connected whether they are looking to share experiences and memorable moments, stay in touch with friends and family, need to stay on top of work emails or simply catch up with daily news.'
Marlink is utilising Intelsat EpicNG broadband connectivity on the MSC Cruises' fleet.
Under the existing long-term partnership agreement signed in 2014, Marlink will take advantage of the flexibility and scale of Intelsat’s fully interoperable and integrated satellite network to provide MSC Cruises with global coverage. Marlink will use wide beam C- and Ku-band satellite solutions from nine Intelsat satellites initially, as well as Ku-band high throughput spot beams from Intelsat 29e, the first of the Intelsat EpicNG fleet, and Intelsat 33e, once it enters service in the second half of the year.
Marlink will also leverage the IntelsatOne terrestrial network, specifically teleports located in Georgia and California in the US as well as Germany and South Korea.
Tore Morten Olsen, president Maritime, Marlink said, 'With Intelsat, we are providing a scalable and robust solution to MSC Cruises, delivering on high volume broadband demands across many ships operating in high-traffic regions. The high performing, resilient and secure network will enable our customer to further streamline vessel operations, deliver superior services to its crew and most importantly, keep thousands of passengers on each of their ships connected at all times.'
Marlink is installing a multi-band satellite communications solution that combines capacity on new Ku-band High Throughput Satellite (HTS) and traditional Ku-band widebeam satellites. The upgrade builds on MSC Cruises existing VSAT network with new high throughput modems and network configuration designed to handle huge amounts of capacity from different satellite operators.
'MSC Cruises will be the first fleet-wide VSAT network to dynamically integrate "a cloud" of satellite capacity, ensuring the availability of high bandwidth for thousands of guests, wherever they are cruising,' Morten Olsen added.
The latest service upgrade for MSC Cruises also includes satellite back-up services for the lines' offices on shore and integration of terrestrial services for improved redundancy.
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