Wireless Maritime Services and CommScope’s RUCKUS Collaborate to Deliver Faster, More Reliable Wi-Fi at Sea
Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), a provider of wireless networking at sea, and CommScope are collaborating to deliver the connectivity experience users expect at sea. As part of the collaboration, WMS will have access to the advanced benefits of CommScope’s technology and software, including RUCKUS Wi-Fi access points, RUCKUS Analytics and the RUCKUS IoT Suite for maritime customers from cruise ships, cargo ships, ferries and private yachts at sea. With WMS and CommScope, passengers will benefit from superfast Wi-Fi connectivity necessary for video streaming, virtual conference calls, remote working and onboard IoT applications.
Wi-Fi connectivity quality at sea can be slow, unreliable and a frustrating experience due in part to inferior network design or unreliable hardware. With CommScope’s RUCKUS Wi-Fi 6 solutions coupled with WMS’ network design, integration and management expertise, ships can connect more wireless devices with far greater performance, reliability and support.
“Connecting to family, friends and colleagues when at sea is no longer a luxury and could be a differentiator in driving guest and crew loyalty for generations to come. CommScope’s RUCKUS Wi-Fi access points use state-of-the-art innovation that not only enable superfast speeds but cater to consumer demands and remote workplace requirements that have increased over the past year,” said Lee Mabie, Vice President of Strategy, Product Development and Marketing for Wireless Maritime Services.
“WMS are experts at cost-effective wireless design, integration and management. We have delivered more than 160 custom designs for wireless networks in the cruise, ferry, shipping and yacht market for over thirty brands – including some of the largest cruise ships in the world”, continued Mabie. “We look forward to guiding customers on how to design a fast, reliable network underpinned by RUCKUS connectivity.”
How the Maritime industry could benefit from RUCKUS connectivity and WMS’ wireless expertise
For cruise lines, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity will support emerging use cases at sea for real-time IoT technologies that safeguard passengers in the age of COVID. This includes broadcasting muster drill content and enabling passenger check-in at muster stations to avoid large crowd gathering. The connected experience also equips passengers with less contact and more convenience – such as viewing menus and ordering food via mobile devices.
“The shipping industry is using IoT technology to address real world challenges such as food loss during transportation via shipping containers. Efficiency management applications can monitor storage temperature, location, and incidents in near-real time which enables faster response to container issues while mitigating potential food spoilage,” said Bart Giordano, Senior Vice President of Sales for RUCKUS, CommScope. “WMS, who has years of experience in providing IoT networks and applications, will now be able to offer maritime customers RUCKUS software that manages all of these IoT devices on a single pane of glass using advanced, reliable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.”
The deployment of management applications and Wi-Fi connectivity at sea require industry specific knowledge. WMS’ years of maritime experience combined with relationships with shipyards, ports and industry vendors enables the company to build and test customized, integrated solutions in-house.
For more information about WMS please visit wmsatsea.com.