The story of a sat com start up

Yachting Pages spoke to Colm Mulcahy, marketing managing and Mark Elliott, managing director of Voyager IP to see how a new satellite communications company becomes established in an already competitive industry.

Tell me how Voyager IP was founded?

The business was founded after a chance meeting at METS a few years back, over a steak dinner, during which a mouse turned up in the restaurant! The idea was to establish an organisation that provides seamless fully supported VSAT marine internet solutions with a service support structure of the highest quality. We wanted to provide flexibility that gives more service configuration control. Our research indicated that there was a gap in the marketplace for this type of company. In early 2013 we gradually put the pieces into place and officially commenced business in April 2014.

How would you describe Voyager IP and its development?

Well, I would describe us as providing dynamic, reliable, customer focused and flexible marine internet solutions and services. We want to be able to offer the user something other than the standard run-of-the-mill internet service. We want to provide back up support structures that givecustomers prompt attention and problem resolution, should they need it.

We see a number of phases to the development of our business.

Phase 1 - Is the initial service design and customer acquisition phase.

Phase 2 - Is the development of software technology that will simplify marine internet service management, and further customer acquisition.

Phase 3 - Scale the business.

What makes you different from your competitors?

We have a team of highly experienced VSAT trained experts with decades of experience in the industry and we have an understanding of internet service requirements across the market.  

As such, we have been able to engineer flexible service packages that meet the changing customer requirements.  We like to answer our customers’ calls as if we are dealing with our best friend.  We take pride in what we do and we do it well.

Are you working on any new developments at the moment?

We are working closely with some new LES initiatives with a view to expanding the range of services we can provide.  Our research and development department is in the process of designing an-all-in-one network management system that will make the lives of captains/ETO’s and engineers easier.

Is there anything that people don’t know that you would like to announce?

VoyagerIP is operating the latest iDirectX3.3 software, so the latest X7 evolution modems can be used in preparation for KA-Band.

What are your top tips in your industry?

Shop around, and ask a friend for referral. Service levels vary in this industry; you need to make sure you’re with the best provider.

What is the most bizarre client request you’ve received?

This is the yachting industry there is no such thing as bizarre! But we have had immediate requests for changes to bandwidth requirements. Thankfully, we can handle service change requests.

The request was for a three-hour session of five Mb dedicated bandwidth for the guests children to stream The Hobbit in HDMI because their Wi-Fi was down.

This result ended in some very happy kids.

What are the current trends in your sector at the moment?

Higher bandwidth rates, with lower costs, and demands for better support services.

For more information, visit Voyager IP.