Satellite operator SES has introduced a new integrated MEO-LEO maritime satcom service targeted at the cruise sector, combining Starlink low-earth orbit (LEO) and SES medium earth orbit (MEO) services to deliver connectivity speeds of up to 3 Gbps.
The MEO element of the service is delivered by the SES mPOWER network, the next generation upgrade to the MEO satellite network acquired by SES when it completed the purchase of O3b in 2016.
The joint offering – SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink – will be integrated, sold and delivered by SES, available as either a Premium tier (3Gbps/ship) or Pro tier (1.5Gbps/ship) package.
“At SES, we strive to provide a world-class connectivity experience for our cruise customers and deliver the same level of service they would enjoy on land,” said John-Paul Hemingway, Chief Strategy Officer at SES.
“By being the only one in the cruise industry to expand our unique multi-orbit GEO (geostationary orbit) and MEO network to utilise LEO, we believe it opens new opportunities for us to meet the needs of cruise guests and crew members, and the operational requirements of cruise operators to accelerate their digital transformations – wherever they may be.”
