In the summer of 2012, Iridium released its redesigned OpenPort broadband unit (now called the Pilot), Inmarsat juggled around its pricing structure for its FleetBroadband service, and we realized that for the first time in the history of the maritime satellite industry, satellite broadband was within the financial reach of most maritime cruisers. 

Because after crunching numbers, comparing plans, and looking at usage rates we saw that broadband satellite units offered some of the cheapest data and airtime costs around.

And not just cheap, but really cheap. At a conservative estimate, at least ten times less expensive than a handheld device like an Iridium 9555 or 9575 for similar usage. For an initial higher upfront cost, the savings from voice and data services multiply. The savings flow like the hull over a smooth sea.

We realize that many people don't even consider a broadband unit for their communication needs while cruising. Broadband satellite has long been known for dishes the size of cars, installation necessitating crews of people, and data costs that run in the tens of thousands per month.

But with units like the Iridium Pilot, the power, speed, and ease-of-use associated with high-end broadband units is now possible for individual cruisers.

It’s certain that satellite broadband, like so much in the satellite industry, is confusing, complicated, and about as straightforward as driving in Rome.

So we broke it all down, shook out our number crunching and comparisons, and put it all together in an easy-to-read guide.

An ultimate guide.

, in fact.

Check it out and let us know what you think. We're pretty thrilled about satellite broadband, and we think you'll be too, especially when you see just how much money is saved on data and voice.