PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The aim of the ESEMAR project is to increment the information flow between all those in the maritime travel or tourism organisations and the people working, voyaging or cruising aboard vessels. ESEMAR can be thought of as an overlay network built to deliver content and allow access to a distributed audience. The actors with respect to this content distribution network can be grouped as follows:
- Companies or organisations wishing to offer information or market their travel and tourism products to a wide, geographically distributed audience.
- Individual travellers or organisations searching for information or interested in booking everything they need online.
Basically, the idea is to provide connectivity and value added services on top of an already existing satellite communication infrastructure provided by the Evolv-e platform.
This innovative solution will offer a suite of multimedia networking services that have been categorised as follows:
- Fast Internet 7 Thematic Interactive Channel
- Multimedia Content Delivery
- Symmetric Conference
- Telephone/fax over IP
Challenges
- To provide multimedia IP services on top of the existing satellite communication infrastructure provided by the Evolv-e platform.
- To introduce low-cost stabilisation systems for the antennas in the ESEMAR service architecture. The technology allows users aboard to take advantage of the services already available to fixed ground terminals.
- To provide cost-effective, one or two-way, fast Internet access solutions.
The choice for the return channel will determine the nature of the communication link:
- High rate return channel (HRS), over 300 Kbit/s: This means a satellite 2-way DVB-RCS communication system
- Low rate return channel (LRS): for low interaction terminals, where the baseline is defined by a one-way Ku-band stabilised antenna for the downlink.
Plan
- Service Requirements & Architecture Definition, i.e., define contents to be delivered, architecture of services, specify upgrading of existing software. This phase is closed with the BDR.
- Pilot Preparation & Execution, i.e., upgrade software, integrate satellite return channel system, develop contents, integrate components at system level. This phase is closed with the PSV.
- Pilot Services Deployment, i.e., install System components at the operational sites selected to operate the ESEMAR Services and run experiments in pre-operational mode. This phase is closed with the MTR.
- Pilot Operations and Strategic Plan Consolidation, i.e., operate ESEMAR Services, finalize market analysis and business plan. This phase is closed at the FR.
The scenario for the operations of the ESEMAR services is currently based on one ship – Janas – a ferry connecting Genova to Olbia and Arbatax (Sardinia). This ship can accommodate, with the highest environmental standards of cruise ships, up to 2,700 passengers and 900 cars. Overnight sailings last approximately 9 hours. Sardinia is an island, and a region of Italy; it is located just south of the Island of Corsica in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Current Status
- Telespazio is negotiating with Tirrenia (Project Sponsor) to reach an agreement in order to deliver Esemar services on board vessels.
- A new service is under development to expand the voice capabilities of Esemar solutions using the existing infrastructures on board. Therefore an agreement has been signed with the French Company Geolink to provide GSM connectivity on board the "Janas" vessel using the ESEMAR antenna.
- Business contacts have also been made with some Greek operators in order to explore new market opportunities (shipping segment) for Esemar services.