GSM Can Track Shipping on the Seas

Altobridge has announced the availability of the marine version of its GSM Aeronautical & Maritime (AM) Gateway Platform, which will enable a wide range of ocean-going applications. The system uses the company's core communications architecture, the Altobridge AM Gateway Platform coupled with a pico GSM wireless base station. This architecture is designed to address the key barriers of entry which have restricted global take-up of GSM on board ships and aircraft, namely, capital cost and the operational overheads of signalling. The cost-effective Altobridge solution restricts operational signalling to a minimum, effectively to those times when revenue is being generated.

The platform is designed to operate as a simple plug-and-play solution across an increasing range of existing onboard satellite communications equipment, e.g. Inmarsat, Globalstar. It is also designed with a leading edge Operation & Maintenance capability.

According to Mike Fitzgerald, CEO of Altobridge, "This is a huge leap for GSM. By addressing the underlying requirements of cost-effective operation across satellite, GSM can now be provisioned on, or at any remote 'hot spot', be that a ship, an aircraft or even the hundreds of thousands of civilian groups still cut off from global connectivity. This powerful wireless platform enables a new global tracking and intelligent security supervision dimension not possible with existing solutions. For example new Homeland Security requirements can now be addressed automatically, securely and cost effectively."

Currently, tracking systems, devices and networks exist, based on a variety of terrestrial positioning and wireless technologies, e.g. GPS, TETRA, with beacons fitted to thousands of ISO containers around the globe. Once out of range of terrestrial wireless networks, however, these devices lie dormant until the containers reach their destination.

With full connectivity to the global GSM wireless network, the patent pending AM Gateway Platform has several new dimensions of valuable functionality; each individual container on each vessel can be in constant contact, e.g. a container door is opened in 'Hold 5' in the mid-Atlantic can trigger an SMS alert to: a) the ship operator, b) the content owner and c) the appropriate security organisation.

Once nearing its destination, to ensure that the onboard GSM network does not interfere with established land-based networks, a GIS database embedded within the Altobridge system ensures that it will not operate within coastal waters where terrestrial coverage exists. As a result, when a vessel enters coastal waters the onboard network automatically shuts down to allow the terrestrial network to take over.

The AM Gateway Platform conforms to all requirements under the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code.

In the area of crew calling, it has been calculated that crew members attain a significant ARPU (average revenue per user) per month, estimated to be almost US$100. These calls are currently made via a ship's satcoms/radio room. Installing an onboard GSM network not only offers ship owners and shipping lines the value added aspect of providing a new revenue-generating service to its crew/passengers, but also the added benefits of assisting in crew retention, a key area.

Due to the vessel size and number of people that are carried aboard the ships in the maritime sectors being addressed by Altobridge, all are governed by the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) regulations. The Altobridge AM Gateway fulfills all requirements for the tracking and ship security alert system elements of these mandatory regulations."

Posted to the site on 30th January 2004