With an increasing demand for vacationers to have the most fine tuned Internet access, Harris Corporation has secured a follow-up contract to supply Carnival Corporation with the latest satellite technology for its passengers and staff aboard its cruise ships. 

Under the agreement, and through Harris’ wholly owned subsidiary, Harris Maritime Communications Services, Inc. (MCS), the company will provide Costa Cruises, specific Carnival vessels, with advanced satellite bandwidth, a modern all-IP network, and operational support of onboard equipment including dual C-band and Ku-band antennas for flawless reliability and unwavering coverage. 

According to Giuseppe De laco, Costa Cruises CIO and vice president Corporation Information Technology, “Our guests, crew, and administrative staff expect more bandwidth and highly reliable service, with expectations to lean heavily on Harris for worldwide coverage and support.” 

This agreement follows a $7.2 billion stimulus initiative aiming to expand broadband access in the United States, of which $350 million has been earmarked towards mapping the country’s broadband use, according to CNNMoney. 

Two federal agencies, the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utility Service, each landed billions from the Recovery Act to fund new broadband infrastructure projects. 

Additionally, in efforts to increase broadband usage, including those on land or by sea, the Federal Communications Commission has presented lawmakers with a plan to equip as many individuals with affordable broadband as possible. 

With projected goals such as broadening the deployment of broadband technologies, and encouraging and facilitating an environment that stimulates investment and innovation in broadband technologies and services, the FCC seems to be gearing towards a nationwide usage in the imminent future. 

That being said, Harris MCS seems to recognize the growing need and demand for complete access no matter what the circumstances. "Today's cruise ship passengers and crew expect to access the same communications services onboard a ship as they do when they are on land," said Rick Simonian, president of Harris MCS. "Costa is at the cutting edge when it comes to communications technology, and these upgrades will provide continued excellent service and assured communications for their fleet." 

Harris MCS provides worldwide VSAT systems and managed services for the maritime community, remote land-based installations, and autonomous buoy systems for marine science and environmental monitoring.