Just Sharing This Anuvu (ex MTN Worldwide TV) in C-band

[Satfaca]

I have recently been on a cruise ship and from couriosity of course wanted to know more about how live TV is coming through. I did manage to get in talk with a person knowing something about it but was kinda reluctant to give more information before he talked to his superiors. Obviously "sensitive security field" resulted in "not cleared to provide further information".
But I did learn that there are three C-band systems on board of which two are redundant and can come handy in locations like norwegian or alaskan fjords where sometimes the dish on one side of the ship doesn't see the satellite while it does the one on the other side (left/right, front/back).
Generally for worldwide maritime service the Anuvu C-band service in all three ocean regions is being used (180E, 57E & 34.5W) however newer systems (from SeaTel/Cobham) also enable Ku reception from whichever satellite, probably used for cruises in areas like Mediterranean or US (DirecTV).
From what I've seen there are rarely any dropouts... if any, more or less just occasional pixel distortions even at cruising at full speed on a rough sea.
The guy did tell me that the only breaks in service take place when ship enters different ocean area and needs to switch to a different satellite.
The ship has its own entertainment system with a mix of own channels and with only a few live TV services what probably lies on the agreement/subscribtion between the cruising company and Anuvu.
Most importantly ... in all public places only Sport 24 is being shown most of the time so major live sports events cannot be missed.

Attached a couple of photos of the antenna domes...

 

[Joolz]

I hope you enjoyed your cruise.
Thank you for the pictures, did you mean 34.5°W not 34.5°E. The wide area reception of these services is aided by a FEC of 2/3 .

 

[Satfaca]

Thanks, noted & corrected.
(Admin can remove this reply...)

 

[EnoSat]

This is also quite an interesting place

3044 N Commerce Pkwy · 3044 N Commerce Pkwy, Hollywood, FL 33025, USA

3044 N Commerce Pkwy, Hollywood, FL 33025, USA

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Satfaca]

Not really the same field but somehow connected ... how do airlines get live channels?!
Do they all work over Ku only? As far as I know only large aperture phased-array antennas are being used normally on tail areas of the plane.
For instance how is TRT World getting on board?! Which satellite is that coming from having Sport 24 with it?!
Or, can an airplane receive different satellites at the same time?
These 5 channels have been available on my last flight.

 

[Joolz]

I would think it is via IPTV over a data connection also giving airborne WIFI. For decades Inmarsat has provided voice and data services to the Aviation industry, but many of the other satellites now offer Oceanic coverage. If you point your dish to an Inmarsat orbital slot you will find L, C and Ka band data carriers along with legacy voice and ACARS. Take alook at:-

https://www.inmarsat.com/en/solutions-services/aviation.html

JAERO

JAERO is a program that demodulates and decodes Classic Aero ACARS messages sent from satellites to Aeroplanes commonly used when Aeroplanes are beyond VHF range. Demodulation is performed using the soundcard. Such signals are typically around 1.5Ghz and can be received with a simple low gain...

jontio.zapto.org

 

[ozumo]

Panasonic Avionics carries those channels for many airlines

Live Television

When passengers fly, they can feel disconnected from what’s happening on the ground. Offering in-flight live television�

www.panasonic.aero

This press release mentions geostationary Ku band but not which satellites, other press releases talk about low earth orbit satellites as well

PANASONIC AVIONICS UNVEILS MAJOR EXPANSION TO GEO SATELLITE CONNECTIVITY NETWORK

50% Satellite Capacity Increase Supports Higher Speed Internet Services

www.panasonic.aero