Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) has been chosen as the winner of the 2021 Seatrade Cruise Product of the Year Award for advances made in cruise ship wireless networks. WMS has accomplished an industry-first deploying the most 4G LTE cellular networks across their fleet of 160+ cruise ships. This advancement provides guests and crew members faster data connection speeds at sea using WMS' Cellular at Sea service from their mobile devices.

Pramod Arora, President & CEO for WMS said, “We take pride in the investments we have made in our network over several years to differentiate WMS from our competition, and our employees have executed to deliver this technology to our cruise customers better than anyone else in the industry. This award is an acknowledgement of our commitment to provide the best network on cruise ships, and to the hard work of WMS team.”

Ian McGhie, Vice President of Engineering and Operations for WMS added, "We are extremely honored to be chosen by our cruise industry peers for this highly-coveted award. These advances create efficiencies and positions cruise lines for future capabilities while simultaneously improving the passenger experience. Specifically, 4G LTE uses less satellite bandwidth, improves data speeds, utilizes less space onboard and is future-ready for 5G."

Deploying a More Efficient Wireless Network
LTE is built specifically to support data versus 2G/3G technologies that were adapted to support data. This crucial change in design greatly improves how data packets handle transmissions from a device, through the LTE network, over satellite and back to Earth. In summary, LTE tolerates satellite interference better and continues to deliver data when the connection quality is not ideal. The new LTE components are also more compact than legacy 2G and 3G equipment allowing for an easier path to upgrade in the tight shipboard real estate environment while maintaining power needed for vessel wireless coverage.

Improving Guest and Crew Onboard Connectivity
For passengers, LTE is a faster, stronger and more reliable connection. LTE improved data speeds are similar at sea, which passengers have become accustomed to at home, versus 2G and 3G systems. Guests access mobile services on their devices quicker enabling them to share their cruise experience via social media and messaging apps.

Investing in the Future of Maritime Communication at Sea
WMS’ deployment of 4G LTE is future-ready for the next generation of cellular – 5G.  The 4G LTE hardware that has been installed onboard WMS' ships can be upgraded to 5G with software without the need to remove, modify or add additional hardware to take onboard connectivity into the future.

MIRAMAR, Fla, USA – Sep. 28, 2021 – Wireless Maritime Services (WMS), the pioneer in 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.
 
About Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) 
Wireless Maritime Services (WMS) enables digital transformation shaping the future of maritime connecting people, data and things through best in class cellular networks supporting roaming and IoT solutions. WMS also offers Wi-Fi and cellular design, installation and management solutions for multiple industries. WMS has been a pioneer in wireless maritime network and cellular roaming since 2004 leading in radio frequency (RF) engineering for some of the most prestigious maritime brands in the world. WMS is headquartered in Miramar, Florida, USA. Follow WMS on LinkedIn at Wireless Maritime Services (WMS).