By Kenny Chee

SHIPPING firms with tight budgets might not be able to afford expensive equipment to outfit all their vessels with broadband Internet.

But a new service by telco SingTel could allow them to provide staff with unlimited Internet access out at sea, for much less than it has cost until now.

Seafaring professionals could then connect with their families over the Web, or gain access to online applications or resources.

Launched on Wednesday, SingTel said its service, called BigValue Maritime Broadband, uses proprietary technology that allows ships at sea anywhere to use satellite-television antennae to connect to broadband Internet, through SingTel's satellite.

SingTel said that many ships already have satellite TV antennae, which costs about US$25,000 (S$35,000) per ship, for crew to watch TV.

But to connect to the Web, additional equipment is typically required, and this can cost US$140,000 to US$180,000 per vessel.

Thereafter, a monthly subscription fee of US$12,000 to US$20,000 per ship is also typically required for a plan that offers online surfing speeds of 2Mbps.

BigValue Maritime, in a first for this country, offers a cheaper way out.

Ships will not need to install any additional equipment to access the Internet while at sea, with potential savings of US$120,000 on equipment cost and US$10,000 on monthly subscription fees.

This is because SingTel's new service requires only a lower one-time fee of US$20,000 to configure a ship's satellite-TV antenna to surf the Web.

The monthly subscription fee charged for its 2Mbps service is also lower, at US$1,999 per vessel.

On this broadband platform, ship owners can subscribe to other services like video conferencing.

The service can also be used on sea platforms like oil rigs.

Research into the technology behind SingTel's BigValue Maritime service began in 2008, and the telco received co-funding from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore's (MPA's) Maritime Innovation and Technology Fund.

SingTel said similar maritime technologies are available in Europe but maximum possible surfing speeds there could be lower, with some services offering 512Kbps.

StarHub and MobileOne do not offer similar maritime broadband solutions.

Industry players said that maritime services like SingTel's can help attract professionals to the maritime industry.

Mr Roland Tan, director of the Singapore Maritime Academy, told my paper: "Qualified crew is always in short supply and, hence, enterprises have to leverage on new information and communication technologies' applications to draw and groom young talent."

Mr Toh Ah Cheong, the MPA's Director for Technology, said: "The maritime industry and ICT industry have been critical to Singapore's success... To enhance our value proposition, we aim to tap into a wider application of infocomm technology, particularly maritime broadband technology."

But BigValue Maritime might be less relevant for firms that have already invested in broadband for their vessels.

A Royal Caribbean Cruises spokesman said the SingTel service is an 'unlikely option' as it has already entered into long-term contracts to provide Internet for its fleet worldwide, including even upcoming ships.

kennyc@sph.com.sg

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