Speedcast, a leading provider of communications and IT services, has partnered with Hurtigruten Expeditions to complete the fleet deployment of SpaceX's Starlink low orbit (LEO) broadband connectivity.
Hurtigruten Expeditions and Speedcast began initial testing and integration of Starlink's LEO service aboard their fleet in March. The rollout of the high-speed, low-latency connectivity will be completed by the end of October, making the cruise line one of the first in the industry to achieve a fleet-wide installation.
Starlink's broadband connectivity is being integrated through Speedcast's advanced network management technologies, combining LEO coverage with multiple transmission paths delivered to the fleet as part of a comprehensive managed service. This includes traditional geostationary orbit (GEO) coverage and 4G/5G for Hurtigruten Expeditions' high-demand applications.
“With ships operating in some of the world’s most remote and spectacular areas, Hurtigruten Expeditions is an ideal partner to introduce innovative technology to the cruise industry,” said Joe Spytek, CEO of Speedcast. “Speedcast’s expertise lies in our ability to combine all available connectivity pathways and manage a comprehensive service that delivers the highest levels of uptime, availability, and performance.” Hurtigruten ships sailing from more traditional GEO coverage areas to locations with lower viewing angles, such as Antarctica, Alaska, Greenland, and the Chilean fjords, will benefit from this new LEO coverage when it becomes available
For Hurtigruten Expeditions, Speedcast's implementation of Starlink provides faster and more reliable internet for its guests and crew.
“As a global leader in exploration travel, it makes sense that we bring the world’s most innovative technologies on board our ships to further enhance the experience and daily lives of our guests, crew, partners, and the communities we visit,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.
Earlier this month, Speedcast announced an agreement with SpaceX's Starlink to offer broadband service to enterprise and maritime customers. Speedcast will integrate Starlink's connectivity into its multipath, multi-orbit service, leveraging its SIGMA network platform and SD-WAN solutions, which enable traffic prioritization, guaranteed service levels, and complete customer experience management.
Three Hurtigruten Expeditions ships will operate in Antarctica this season, introducing Starlink to Antarctic waters. The new LEO service is scheduled to add Antarctic maritime coverage in the fourth quarter of 2022.
“Our partnership with Speedcast and the fleet-wide rollout of the new service not only puts us ahead of the rest of the cruise industry, but also ahead of the curve in terms of technology. When Starlink introduces maritime coverage in the Antarctic and Arctic, we’ll be ready,” Lassesen said.
Hurtigruten Expeditions offers free internet access not only to guests but also to all crew members. “The introduction of new technologies makes it easier for everyone on board to stay connected with their friends, family, and loved ones, no matter where they are,” said Lassesen.
