The country's sole satellite service provider, Thaicom, launched the Nava maritime service platform yesterday, which boasts fibre-to-ship technology meant to create new revenue and aid the industry's digital transformation.
The platform is intended to help Thaicom's broadband service become a new flagship, as satellite telecom and broadcasting fall by the wayside.
Chief executive Paiboon Panuwattanawong said Nava will address connectivity limitations at sea.
The Nava maritime service platform will also increase operational efficiency on board and connect crews and passengers to high-speed internet anywhere and anytime, he said.
The Nava platform, enabled by Thaicom's broadband satellite, delivers high-speed internet across Asia-Pacific.
The maritime platform offers three solutions: Nava Ship Manager, Nava Connect and Nava Media.
Nava Ship Manager allows for asset and engine monitoring, fuel advice and maintenance planning to improve operational efficiency and productivity.
Nava Connect provides high-speed internet connectivity for vessel operations, crews and passengers.
Nava Media provides access to online entertainment, social media and on-board training.
Mr Paiboon said Thaicom conducted a soft launch of the Nava platform in the last quarter of 2017, with 20 ships using its services.
Thaicom is aiming to attract 100 ships to subscribe to the service by year-end.
"Nava targets high-potential markets, including Japan and Thailand," he said.
The global satellite TV ecosystem has rapidly changed over the last two years as a result of technological developments and the threats from over-the-top media services.
Loox TV, a content delivery broadcasting platform, launched the first mobility broadband service in the country last year.
Thaicom said Nava and Loox TV will generate significant revenue for the company, reaching 50% of the total by 2023.
Ekachai Phakdurong, senior vice-president of media and retail business for Thaicom, said the Nava platform operates through the satellite transponders of Thaicom 4 and 8, providing broadband service to ships at a speed of four megabits per second (Mbps).
Thaicom aims to ramp up its broadband speed for ships so it reaches 30 Mbps by September.
He said there are up to 70,000 ships globally, of which 20,000 operate out of Asean and China.
Potential vessels for the company's services include merchant, passenger, offshore and fishery ships.
Thaicom will only provide its services to vessels in Asean and East Asia, said Mr Ekachai.
