INMARSAT Technical Information
2. Merit for early installation of Fleet Broadband
1st May 2011
Since Inmarsat Ltd. determined that service of Inmarsat-B is over at the end of December 2014, other alternative type equipment must be selected for the ships which are kept running even after 2014.
Moreover, it is supposedly advantageous if Fleet Broadband is instroduced as back-up of the existing Inmarsat-F and others, or as crew's private use.
From the following points you are strongly suggested to replace with Fleet Broadband at earlier stage.
1. Feature of Fleet Broadband
- Data communications speed progressed rapidly.
- Data communications (packet data) and voice telephone call are simultaneously possible.
- Since it is a compact antenna unit, installation is comparatively easy.
- It can use maximum of 160-characters short message.
2. Merit in case of changing Inm-B or Inm-F to Fleet Broadband
In the case of the same volume of the data communications, the communication charge will nosedive to 1/5-1/6(*note) of B, 1/2-1/3 to F(packet data).
-
- Fleet Broadband:$13.30
- Inmarsat-B(data):$58($47-$69)
- Inmarsat-F(packet data):$36.5, Inmarsat-F(high speed data):$27
*Note
Estimate of 1MB communication charge by KDDI:
Condition: Though the data communication speed of official Inmarst-B is 9.6K, if it calculates as 6Kbps, actually, it will be about 0.045MB/min(22.22min/MB). The communication charge will be $69/MB as $3.1/min(Peak), and will be $47/MB as $2.1/min(Off-Peak).
3. Notes about use of FB
- Since FB can't communicate without SIM card, you have to notice the theft or loss.
- If one Web screen after another is opened as used on-shore, data volume will increase and chrage will become very expensive. Therefore, it is better to record your useful web screen (Weather chart etc.) into PC beforehand.
- Since transmission and reception of FAX are expensive by FB (same rate $8-9.2/min as ISDN), it is better to record documents with a scanner and to attach into E-mail. Or supposing Inmrast-F or B remain, those FAX is cheaper than FB.
- Since the expensive communication charge may happen by netsurfing recently, if necessary, you had better apply for WEB filtering, or better check the communication log of vessel routinely.
End