Last July, thousands of vessels around the globe suddenly went offline when Starlink experienced its first major global outage in over two years. Coverage dropped by more than 80% in some areas, disrupting communications, telemetry, and crew internet access across entire fleets
The cause? A software glitch.
The message? Even the most advanced satellite network isn’t bulletproof.
This incident reminded the industry of a simple truth: no single technology can guarantee uninterrupted connectivity at sea. And that’s exactly where 5G steps in.
The Ever-Present Role of 4G/5G LTE at Sea
Even in the Starlink era, cellular networks remain an essential layer of vessel communications.
Nearshore and in-port operations depend on 4G and 5G for affordable, high-speed data transfer, crew welfare, real-time telemetry, and secure synchronization with shore systems.
Unlike satellite connections, LTE and 5G offer lower latency, higher upload speeds, and stable nearshore performance, enabling smooth video calls, IoT data exchange, and cloud application updates.
They act as the first line of connectivity in hybrid network architectures—maintaining seamless operations when satellite links experience degradation, congestion, or geofencing restrictions.
Why 5G Matters
✅ Always-on connectivity, even when satellite links falter
✅ Ultra-low latency for IoT, monitoring, and automation
✅ Scalable data pooling across fleets and regions
✅ 5G-ready, marine-grade hardware built for long-term resilience
✅ A unified hybrid WAN strategy that delivers compliance, safety, and uptime
Extended Offshore Coverage — Tested at Sea
MarPoint’s 4G/5G solution offers exceptional nearshore and offshore coverage, maintaining stable connectivity beyond 35 nautical miles (≈65 km) from shore.
This extended range allows vessels to operate longer on high-speed LTE and 5G networks before switching to satellite links—optimizing airtime costs, improving crew internet experience, and ensuring continuous data exchange for operational systems.
Global SIM: One Card, Worldwide Coverage
The foundation of maritime 5G connectivity is simplicity — and it starts with MarPoint’s Global SIM.
With one SIM, your vessel connects across 130+ countries, covering major shipping routes, ports, and coastal zones.
MarPoint’s Global SIM Pool Packages allow flexible data sharing across vessels and predictable billing — no roaming charges, no hidden costs, and no SIM swapping. Fleet IT teams can manage usage, monitor CDRs, and expand pools in real time through the Global SIM Management Portal, included free of charge.
This dedicated 4G/5G data service activates automatically when Starlink becomes unavailable — providing up to 250 Mbps speeds and a rolling 30-day validity for flexible deployment.
Inclusive regions
"Starlink Geofencing” Backup SIM takes over
In several regions around the world, Starlink coverage is limited or entirely restricted due to national regulations and satellite geofencing policies.
What is geofencing?
In short, it’s a location-based restriction that automatically disables Starlink’s signal once a vessel crosses into a controlled or prohibited area. These rules are enforced by local governments or regulatory bodies and affect thousands of vessels sailing through restricted maritime zones.
MarPoint’s 4G/5G “Starlink Geofencing” Backup SIM provides a reliable solution for uninterrupted connectivity in these areas. Operating on major local mobile networks, it ensures vessels remain online — whether for operational data, remote monitoring, or crew internet access — without manual intervention.
Currently supported countries:
China, India, Turkey, Russia, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Oman, Pakistan, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, and South Africa.
Packages:
Packages start from 25 GB (including up to 5 SIM cards per fleet) and scale up to 500 GB (including 30 SIM cards) — all managed through the Global SIM Management Portal, featuring:
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Live CDR statistics
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Total consumption data
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Per-vessel usage reports
This backup solution ensures business continuity, crew welfare, and data reliability — even in regions where Starlink simply can’t operate.
What You Need to Deploy 5G
To make 5G and LTE work reliably at sea, vessels need maritime-grade hardware capable of managing multiple WANs seamlessly. MarPoint’s Outdoor IP68 Heavy-Duty 4G/5G Router is engineered exactly for that:
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Shock-resistant and salt-proof, built for extreme maritime environments
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Designed for operations up to 67 nautical miles offshore
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Integrated with Evo3 Router intelligence for auto WAN switching between Starlink, VSAT, and LTE/5G
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Ensures continuous data flow even during transitions or outages
Together, the Global SIM and the IP68 router create a resilient hybrid architecture — blending the global reach of satellite with the speed and redundancy of 5G.
Power Your Fleet’s Next Connection
The future of maritime communications is hybrid — combining the global reach of satellites with the speed, flexibility, and redundancy of 5G. Whether your vessel is approaching port, transiting restricted waters, or anchored offshore, MarPoint keeps you connected — securely, efficiently, and globally.