...at the upcoming National Marine Electronics Conference in Orlando, Florida, including the Vizada XChange Mobile solution. Vizada XChange Mobile, available since September 2012, was developed to meet the emerging mobility demand for connectivity at sea. It is currently the most advanced maritime communications platform supporting smartphones and tablets, with an adapted usability and menu structure. The system has been designed to provide the kind of connectivity people expect on their mobile devices, without the need for the seafarers to download an app. It offers a straightforward and engaging user-experience, taking cues from established mobile device interface conventions to ensure familiarity for all users.

With significant increase in the number of unique connections to the Vizada XChange platform due to the expanded availability of wireless connectivity on board, Vizada XChange Mobile has also been designed to offer in-depth but easy-to-use management functionality, ensuring that cost and application control can be carried out efficiently. Vizada XChange Mobile also features functionality for the free download of content on board, including news feeds, training information or videos.

Vizada will also present the latest addition to their Pharostar Ku-band satellite offering at the NMEA Conference. The compact, cost-effective satellite service has been developed with a view to making VSAT more accessible to smaller vessels such as fishing and leisure boats, as well as any companies with a limited comms budget. The Ku-band antenna, manufactured by Intellian, comes in a range of sizes at 60cm, 80cm and 1m, and is delivered pre-assembled for more simple installation. Additional hardware providers will produce the antenna further down the line to provide companies a more complete choice.