Optimised internet streaming onboard yachts now possible, says Videoworks
MIN sits down with Videoworks’ Paolo Tagliapietra to explore how the company’s providing streaming services onboard superyachts, and the magic internet optimising mix which makes it work . . . . everywhere.
According to Videoworks’ Paolo Tagliapietra (pictured above), the problem for yacht builders is that the tech going into them changes faster than the pace of the build.
“The key is to prepare a yacht for future technology,” he says. “Yachts need to dedicate the space for the satellite antennae to have free sky space. Yachts need to prepare cabling and where to install antennae, and be ready for new technology. It’s much more easier and cheaper than doing it afterwards.”
The technology that he refers to is being used to provide the seamless home tech environment that people now demand. Yacht owners and guests expect smooth and reliable internet access, enabling them to stream content and enjoy online services as if they were at home, even when offshore.
Optimised internet streaming means more time onboard
As Tagliapietra, who looks after connectivity & communication solutions for Videoworks says: “This market is growing because people discover they can keep working in a different place on the water – in the marina, at anchor, in a fantastic bay . . . and then they go to swim.”
Who wouldn’t want that?
“Owners now stay longer onboard as they can work from there. It used to be they’d stay for four to six weeks. Now it is a couple of months. Technology can provide high definition video conferences and owners can stay, all the time, connected with their business. With this new tech they are certain they can be online 100 per cent of the time.
“It’s a very interesting period for this type of technology. The huge amount of hardware that, until a couple of years ago, a vessel had to carry to store film and music is now not needed.”
One of Tagliapietra’s passions is making sure that yacht owners experience their yacht (in tech terms) in the same way they experience their house. He cites watching a movie at home, pausing it, and then continuing when underway onboard. It may seem like a small dream, but it’s one which has taken massive tech jumps to achieve.
“This was not possible with the tech we had a couple of years ago,” he says. “But now it’s possible with a large bandwidth.”
Stable technology allows for onboard streaming services
“2024 was a good year for tech as it’s more stable than two years ago. Until last season it was unclear how it would all come together onboard.”
It’s all coming together under the banner of Videoworks SD-WAN technology which supports seamless streaming from platforms like Netflix and Sky without disruptions.
Tagliapietra joined the company in 2023 with the specific remit of creating a dedicated unit for connectivity (read about the company’s history online). That unit looks at combining low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite services, and land mobile technology, to provide the best service possible.
“The future is taking the best of each connectivity,” he says. “Which means the next step is to take the best capacity of each connectivity, the best at cost-effectiveness, and the best coverage.”
Currently Videoworks has several comms options integrated into the overall-mix it offers yacht owners.
Tagliapietra says that initially the company solely considered Starlink. While it pushed boundaries, LEO satellites took their time to become reality in terms of actually delivering what a yacht owner expects. The first companies to use it were pretty much testers of the system he says, and while at times it’s great, the system couldn’t provide reliability on its own. For example, Starlink isn’t available in all countries – like Turkey.
So Videoworks has also been working with One Web. According to Tagliapietra, European-based One Web launched professional LEO satellites, but aimed at professional maritime oil and gas companies. “It’s not a consumer product,” he says.
“One Web has just started, but we did a few applications this season with very good result. They need another six months for a full system covering worldwide.”
Creating the perfect mix for streaming internet onboard superyachts
Thus, his unit has been looking at creating the perfect mix for streaming services onboard, drawing from companies like Starlink, from 5G and from One Web in order to deliver the comms network needed to a yacht (Amazon is also moving into satellite tech, although it’s not there yet).
Meanwhile, Videoworks’ system flexes between providers according to where it is in the world at any given point, providing – for example – local TV channels without having to carry more antennae or decoders. It’s using bandwidths with landing IPs to make guests feel at home – even in the charter situation with many guests with competing priorities.
But new challenges comes with so much more being possible. “High level technology can present a challenge for the crew on board, not having the knowledge to engineer it.” To alleviate any difficulties, Videoworks monitors the vessel to prevent any problems.
“We have a team at Videoworks that follows the requirements in terms of network and bandwidth and the rules onboard. So, if customers need several video conferences at the same time, we can reduce the bandwidth from the crew to give to the business activities. We actively support the vessel from land. We integrate ourselves into the vessel. It’s like having a technician onboard 24/7.”
Training in onboard internet technology
The company’s also investing time in going to shipyards and running seminars. “The challenge is to educate people to new technology,” he says. ” Whether shipyards, customers or owners.
“New technology can be confusing so we run a lot of seminars – a couple a month. Technical officers and project managers come to see us, they then go and discuss what they’ve seen with customers.
“We educate and explain what we have today, and what we will have tomorrow.”
Tagliapietra believes 2025 will be an interesting year. “We are working with SD-WAN solutions. One Web is becoming more reliable for world wide coverage and we expect larger success based on LEO technology. We’re all moving more in streaming direction which is exactly what we have in our houses.
“Videoworks is working in partnership with Speedcast to create dedicated solutions for yachting industry. Speedcast is a top leader on the professional market (maritime, oil & gas, corporate). Through them we could assist our customers worldwide. This is the future of connectivity.”
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