Rendition of Fleet Xpress. Photo: Inmarsat

Inmarsat will extend its Fleet LTE coverage for offshore service vessels to the Gulf of Mexico, following successful trials with V.Ships Offshore in the North Sea area. The new Gulf of Mexico coverage extension adds to the existing agreement with subsea fiber and offshore LTE network operator Tampnet. Additionally, this follows the Fleet LTE North Sea service launch in November 2019.

In conjunction with Inmarsat’s service provider One Net, the North Sea trials were undertaken with ship management company V.Ships Offshore at the beginning of 2020. These trails delivered hybrid connectivity via 4G cellular plus satellite coverage on Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Ka-band and L-band.

The expansion of the Fleet LTE service means customers in both the North Sea and Gulf of Mexico can access high speed 4G, Fleet Xpress maritime VSAT Ka-band, and continuous L-band connectivity within a fully managed hybrid package.

“The trial success with V.Ships Offshore supported by our partner One Net, is a real proof point for Fleet LTE and we are excited about the evolution of the service into the Gulf of Mexico, to support the recovery of the offshore sector and expansion into other regions and sectors in the future,” said Eric Griffin, vice president Offshore & Fishing, Inmarsat Maritime.