Cruise Companies Prepare for Wireless Wave

It is estimated that within the next four years, wireless carriers will need to find a way to transmit more than 30 times the volume of data than their networks carry today. A revolution is taking place, and it is going to hit the cruise industry.
MCP confirmed that its first 3G-vessel project, to be finalized in August this year, is being driven by passenger use of social media applications such as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
“Cruise companies have to get ready for the next wave,” said Roar Walderhaug, senior vice president for MCP. “They have to upgrade on-board communication systems with highly-efficient wireless base stations and make gigabyte, not just megabyte, bandwidth investments.”
“Today’s mobile device has evolved from a phone into a robust communications tool. Cruise ships must be able to handle a broadening range of mobile applications down the road,” said Walderhaug.
More and more data is going through mobile devices, and the majority of them support only 3G technology.
“Handheld mobile Internet access will be in demand by future cruise passengers,” said Walderhaug. “MCP has its 3G strategy in place and can easily upgrade a ship’s network to handle fast 3G connections, complete with micro-browsers, widgets and quick launch icons. Increasing ship bandwith is business strategic and passenger expedient for cruise and ferry operators,” said Walderhaug.