Marine Broadband and airtime, getting cheaper

by Sail-World Cruising on 3 Oct 2009 Every year the cost of having broadband internet connection on your boat gets cheaper - under US$8000 for the smallest model - or more sophisticated for the same price.

Now the airtime packages are improving too.

Intellian Technologies, one of the world’s technological leaders in marine satellite antennas, announced today its line of FleetBroadband antennas with bundled airtime.

Suitable for as a one-stop solution for commercial and recreational boaters, the new Intellian f-series provides boaters with an easy-to-purchase system.

The new Intellian FleetBroadband antennas are designed by Thrane & Thrane, and incorporate proven technology for a high-quality, field-tested Inmarsat solution.

Available in three models including Intellian’s newest and smallest Inmarsat antenna, the FB150, which is the one that will probably be of most interest to cruising sailors, the antennas are designed to match Intellian Satellite TV antennas for an attractive clean-looking installation.

Intellian is also offering a variety of airtime bundles, making it easy for boaters to develop a solution that best suits their needs, keeping them connected anywhere at sea.

With simultaneous data services such as fax, internet and email access, and quality voice and text messaging, to name a few, the new Intellian Inmarsat antennas deliver the flexibility and capabilities boaters require to stay connected.

FleetBroadband systems include a rugged plug and play IP handset with a 2.2-inch TFT color screen, and advanced features such as state-of-the-art echo cancellation and noise suppression software that ensures excellent audio clarity worldwide. The systems’ LAN interface and router features allow convenient telephone and internet connectivity throughout a vessel. Intellian f-series antennas have a single coaxial cable for easy installation and connection to below deck equipment (BDE), and support a wide connectivity range for easy integration into on-shore networks.

'We are happy to partner with Thrane & Thrane and provide Intellian customers an Inmarsat solution that is well tested and meets Intellian’s rigorous quality requirements,' said Eric Sung, president and CEO of Intellian Technologies. 'We launched our f-series FleetBroadband antennas with attractive airtime packages that suit the needs of boaters from luxury yacht owners to megayacht captains. Intellian FleetBroadband antennas will keep world travelers or those who prefer boating near their home port connected and online.'

Designed for dual or multiple antenna installations, each Intellian Inmarsat FleetBroadband antenna is system-matched to a dome in the range of Intellian Satellite TV and VSAT antennas. Intellian f-series antennas are designed to withstand +/- 30-degree rolls in 4 seconds and +/- 15-degree pitches in 3 seconds.

The units operate in an input voltage range of 10 to 32V and a temperature range of negative 25- to 55-degrees Fahrenheit. All f-series antennas are water resistant to the IPx6 standard and protected by a 2-year parts and 1-year labor limited warranty.

Price & Availability:
Intellian Inmarsat FleetBroadband antenna systems have suggested retail prices of US $18,995.00, $12,995.00 and $7,495.00 for the FB500, FB250 and FB150, respectively. Details on airtime pricing can be found at www.intelliantech.com/airtime.

Antenna systems and airtime programs will be available beginning this November from authorized Intellian Technologies dealers and distributors. To find an outlet near you, click http://www.intelliantech.com/Support_3.asp!here.

For more information on the Intellian FleetBroadband antenna systems, airtime pricing, or to learn more about Intellian Technologies and its entire product line, please visit www.intelliantech.com