11th December 2018
Satcom Global along with partner OCENS, is supporting Team Tyne Innovation in taking part in the ‘world’s toughest row’ 3000 miles across the Atlantic leaving on 12th December. The technology providers will supply the four strong crew with the voice and data connectivity and associated equipment needed to see them safely through their gruelling challenge.
The Talisker Atlantic Challenge will see the crew row from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua; a journey expected to take upwards of 50 days, where they could experience extreme weather and waves of up to 50ft. Without access to regular telephone or data connectivity out in the Atlantic, the team contacted Satcom Global to discuss an alternative communications solution to help see them through the challenge safely and to help them share their story.
Satellite communications provider, Satcom Global, is providing Team Tyne Innovation with an equipment bundle including: an Iridium Extreme 9575 satellite phone for dedicated daily calls with race HQ, an Iridium GO! satellite hotspot for contact with family and friends and progress updates, and an iSavi device for sending larger video files back to shore via the Inmarsat network. An additional Iridium Extreme 9575 handset owned by the team will be sealed in a waterproof grab bag for emergencies.
Phil Kite of Team Tyne Innovation said: “One of the key objectives we set ourselves in competing in this international race was to showcase the innovation coming out of our regions businesses, colleges and universities. Satcom Global is a great example of a North East business operating on the global stage providing innovative leading-edge technology. The satellite equipment they are providing, along with the software provided by OCENS, will ensure we can stay in touch with race control, provide regular updates to friends and family, and most importantly will help us stay safe”.
Using the Iridium GO! the team will be able to connect to Wi-Fi through their smartphones for phone calls and SMS messaging, and to maximise the modest data capability, will also have access to a range of optimised weather, email and messaging apps provided by OCENS. The device will be mounted inside the cabin using an Iridium GO! Fixed Installation Kit, which includes a small, lightweight Iridium Passive Omnidirectional Antenna to sit on top of the boat enabling use of the device indoors in the dry.
The requirement to send video footage back to shore from the Atlantic presented a bigger challenge to Satcom Global due to the size of the rowing boat. With limited space ruling out the installation of a larger marine stabilised antenna, Inmarsat’s IsatHub service, delivered via the iSavi hotspot presented a compact but powerful alternative solution for high speed data transfer.
Satcom Global CEO, Ian Robinson, is thrilled to support the local project and provide the team with potentially life-saving communications, keeping them in easy reach of help should they need it:
“We’re delighted that we have been able to play such an important role in this challenge which is not only raising funds for charity, but also showcasing innovation in the North-East of England. With the support of our partner OCENS, we have been able to provide a reliable and robust connectivity solution, to ensure the wellbeing of the team whilst at sea and help raise the profile of their cause.”
OCENS is a leading developer of software specifically designed for remote applications and the optimisation of satellite connectivity. The apps designed by OCENS, which the team will have access to throughout the challenge, include OCENSMail, which will let them send updates and compressed images back to shore; OneMessage, enabling optimised text messaging to and from shore, and WeatherNet, providing all-important weather updates.
Mark Freeberg, President of OCENS commented: "OCENS is delighted to be part of the communications solution that will allow Team Tyne Innovation to receive vital weather information and stay in touch with adventure followers and support personnel back home. Our applications provide a path via the Iridium satellite network for reliable, optimized data transfers."
Satcom Global and OCENS are honoured to support Team Tyne Innovation, which has attracted more than 20 sponsors, and is supporting charities including Daft as a Brush cancer patient care, the Stroke Association and St Oswald’s Hospice.
To follow the team's progress, please keep an eye on our dedicated Team Tyne Innovation webpage, where you can follow the live race tracker and find out more information about the challenge and the charities being supported.
More information on Team Tyne Innovation can be found at https://www.teamtyneinnovation.com/ Further information on satellite communications can be found at www.satcomglobal.com and https://www.ocens.com/index.html
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