4G & 5G Connectivity on board

Extend Your Vessel’s Reach with High-Speed Coastal Networks

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Definition & Benefits

4G (LTE) and 5G cellular connectivity brings terrestrial grade broadband to vessels operating in coastal and near‐shore waters. By leveraging marine-optimised antennas and routers, ships and yachts can enjoy:

  • Broad Coverage: Standard cellular reaches 10–20 NM offshore; specialised high-gain antennas and lower-frequency LTE bands can extend that to 30 NM or more, with emerging 5G pilot networks pushing beyond 50 KM under optimal conditions.
  • High Availability: Multiple carrier roaming and dual-SIM routers ensure ≥ 99% uptime in covered zones.
  • Low Latency & High Throughput: 4G delivers 50–100 ms latency and 50–300 Mbps speeds near shore; 5G can reduce latency below 20 ms and support gigabit‐class downloads for real-time applications.
  • Cost Efficiency: Cellular service plans often cost a fraction of satellite airtime for comparable data volumes in coastal regions.

Installation & Integration

Turnkey marine cellular deployments include:

  • Antenna Selection & Placement:High-gain MIMO antennas are mounted on the radar mast, arch, or spreaders.Separation ≥ 0.5 m between antennas to prevent interference.

  • Network Configuration:VLANs and QoS to prioritise critical systems (ECDIS, VoIP).Hybrid failover: automatic switching between 4G/5G, VSAT, and marina Wi-Fi.

  • Router & Cabling:Rugged dual-SIM 4G/5G routers with PoE ports, GPS, and WAN interfaces.Marine-grade LMR200/400 cabling for minimal signal loss.

  • Commissioning & Training:Link testing, speed validation, and coverage verification.Crew training on router management, SIM provisioning, and basic troubleshooting.

Technical Performance

  • Speeds & Latency:
    • 4G LTE: up to 300 Mbps download, 50–100 ms latency
    • 5G NR: up to 1 Gbps+ download, < 20 ms latency

  • Reliability:
    • Dual-SIM redundancy and carrier aggregation for seamless handoffs
    • Weather-resilient hardware rated for –30 °C to +60 °C operation

  • Coverage Distance:
    • 4G: typically 10–20 NM, extendable to 30 NM+ with optimised antennas
    • 5G: pilot deployments up to 27 NM, with potential for 50 KM under optimal conditions

 

Cost Expectations

Hardware and installation typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on antenna size and router capabilities. Monthly data plans vary by provider and data allowance, but Coastal Cellular often starts under $200/month for moderate usage. For vessels with higher bandwidth needs or extended coastal operations, plans can rise to $500–$1,000+/month.

Ensure the optimal balance between performance, reliability, and cost.

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Use Cases

  • Operational Communications: Real-time voyage data exchange, weather updates, and ECDIS chart downloads.
  • Crew Welfare: Video calls, streaming services, and social media access to boost morale.
  • Passenger Services: Wi-Fi for guests on ferries, yachts, and cruise tenders.
  • Hybrid Networks: Cost-effective coastal connectivity with seamless handover to VSAT or Starlink offshore.
  • IoT & Remote Monitoring: Low-latency telemetry for engine diagnostics, hull stress sensors, and environmental monitors.

 

Regulatory & Compliancce

  • Spectrum Licensing: Must comply with national maritime cellular regulations and roaming agreements.

  • EMC & Safety Standards: Equipment certified to IEC 60945 and ITU-R EMC limits for shipborne electronics.

  • Cybersecurity: VLAN segmentation, encrypted VPN tunnels, and regular firmware updates to mitigate network threats.

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