Fishing vessels currently have satellite connectivity, but it's basic, what we might call "narrowband," as it only allows voice communication and low-speed, high-cost data transmission. However, comprehensive onboard connectivity is possible thanks to VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) technology, which enables internet access, data transmission, and, of course, voice/IP connections. Nevertheless, this technology requires an investment that many fishing vessels couldn't afford.
Both companies have launched a specific service for fishing vessels that require message transmission, voice calls and access to connectivity over a wide coverage area – from the Great Sole in the North Atlantic, the fishing grounds of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast of Africa – with speeds from 500 kilobits per second to 4 Megabits per second, thus tripling, at a minimum, the current connection speed.
This is a market with significant potential, because while 100% of yachts and oil tankers already use VSAT technology, only 1% of the 10,000 fishing vessels in Spain – according to EU data, which puts the total number of fishing vessels in Europe at over 87,000 – have it. This means that around 9,900 fishing vessels lack network connectivity. This deficiency affects vessel management, both logistically and in terms of personnel.

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