Inmarsat Maritime, part of the ViaSat group, has introduced its latest development in the NexusWave bonded connectivity service. This announcement follows the launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite and looks forward to the upcoming ViaSat-3 Flight 3 satellite.
With the deployment of two ViaSat-3 satellites scheduled for 2026, maritime users of NexusWave can anticipate a significant boost in bandwidth through a new generation of maritime terminals, particularly gaining from the expected added capacity from VS3 Flight 2 over the Americas and VS3 Flight 3 over the Asia-Pacific region.
This development means that maritime customers opting for NexusWave now can foresee enhancements in performance, speed consistency, and adaptability to meet changing demands.
Improved network efficiency
NexusWave operates as Inmarsat's fully managed, bonded multi-network service, merging capacities from GEO Ka-band, LEO, LTE, and L-band networks into a singular, intelligent connectivity solution.
With the integration of ViaSat-3's ultra-high-capacity, high-speed satellites, users will benefit from swifter data transfer rates and enhanced network efficiency, ultimately supporting digitisation and enhancing crew welfare on a large scale, offering an internet experience akin to that of an office or home setting onboard.
Incorporates multiple layers of protection
The new VS60 maritime terminal, developed by Intellian and driven by Viasat's software-defined radio technology, enhances the NexusWave architecture. This terminal supports bandwidth-heavy applications such as enterprise networking, video streaming, crew welfare, and mission-critical tasks.
The terminal also features several layers of protection to maintain data security and operational stability
Sea trials of the VS60 terminal, tailored for the ViaSat-3 era, demonstrated download speeds surpassing 250 megabits per second. The terminal also features several layers of protection to maintain data security and operational stability.
Additionally, ViaSat-3 satellites are equipped with over 1,000 steerable spot beams, enabling dynamic allocation of bandwidth to meet demand across global maritime routes, ports, and offshore areas.
New ViaSat-3-ready terminal
Vice President of Inmarsat Maritime, Gert-Jan Panken, remarked, “The combination of NexusWave’s bonded, multi-orbit architecture, and the new ViaSat-3-ready terminal developed with Intellian puts us in a strong position to support the operational priorities of global fleets."
"It reinforces our long-term commitment to reliability, security, and customer experience at sea, and enables fleets to scale seamlessly with future capacity as the network expands.”
Increasingly complex connectivity landscape
Ben Palmer OBE, President of Viasat Commercial, commented, “NexusWave was built to deliver consistent performance in an increasingly complex connectivity landscape."
"As ViaSat-3 capacity becomes available, we’re taking another big step forward for our customers and partners by bringing more bandwidth, better flexibility, and a forward-thinking upgrade path to ensure connected confidence for the future.”
