Luxury ship claims world's largest wireless network

LONDON -- As the world's first ocean-going luxury resort, The World of ResidenSea is a ship like no other. The dining rooms have Wedgwood china, Christofle flatware and Frette linens. There are 110 spacious, fully furnished residences, priced between US$2.25 million and US$7.5 million, and 88 guest suites starting at US$2,100 per day. The World began circumnavigating the globe in March with stops at the Cannes Film Festival, the Grand Prix of Monaco, and the British Open in Scotland.

The World of ResidenSea can add one more superlative. The ship now has the world's largest single-site wireless network, according to Red-M, a provider of wireless networking products. Based on Bluetooth wireless technology, the network provides residents, guests and crew of this ship with access to a range of Internet services from a selection of business and consumer devices including laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and digital cameras.

At the core of the wireless network, which covers 27,500 square meters (295,865 square feet), is Red-M’s Genos wirelessware. This technology addresses some of ResidenSea’s key technology concerns aboard the vessel:

▪ Security: A secure wireless environment is paramount. The unique 5-layer security scheme in Genos ensures that maximum security is maintained across the whole of the wireless network, preventing unauthorized access by rogue users and hackers.

▪ Management: Genos offers extensive wireless management capabilities, which enables a seamless network service to be provided.

▪ Range of devices: The wireless network supports laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other business and consumer electronic devices. The Bluetooth technology allows the widest range of devices and users to access the service.

“ResidenSea selected Red-M as they were the company best suited to deploy a wireless network in such a challenging setting," said Maria Lewing, IT Director of ResidenSea. "The Genos wireless network allows for the management of multi-technology wireless environments and the flexibility to broaden our network without having to invest in further infrastructure, should we wish to do so in the future"

250 access points

The World's wireless network comprises a central Genos server and 250 Red-M access points deployed around the ship. Genos is a scaleable platform for creating mobile data and voice applications in which users’ interaction and experience can be tailored to location, device and access technology. Genos supports the latest wireless networking standards including 802.11 wireless LAN’s and Bluetooth.

“Wireless connectivity has become critical for efficient and timely communications in the 21st century, and it is encouraging to know that ResidenSea was quick to embrace the benefits of a Genos wirelessware network," said Simon Gawne, vice-president and co-founder of Red-M. "Through the installation, owners and guests on board The World are benefiting from a multi-technology environment partnered with the highest level of security, seamless roaming and access to information."

The residents and guests of this unique international community are individuals and couples, senior executives of corporations, and partnerships of families and friends. It is expected that the final population of residents will consist 40% of Americans and 60% from Europe and the rest of the world.

Ideal for wireless

"The World is an ideal place to roll out this type of wireless solution and Red-M, together with systems integrator Ship Equip, is very excited that Genos wirelessware was chosen as the technology of choice," Gawne added. "Red-M set itself a vision of being the leader in wireless, and yet again we have met this goal by supplying the world’s largest public wireless network.”

Ship Equip is one of the largest suppliers of maritime TV solutions in the world. Its goal is to be the largest company that brings high speed Internet and e-mail solutions to ships.

Red-M is backed by several of the world’s leading venture capital firms, including Apax Partners, Amadeus Capital Partners and Intel Capital, as well as Madge Networks. In total, Red-M has raised US$54 million of financing since the company was founded in late 1999.

Key industry players

The company has strategic relationships with a number of key industry players including Motorola, Ericsson, Computer Associates, Toshiba and Intel. Red-M is an Associate Member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and is co-chair of the PAN APR working group. Red-M has also won numerous industry, technology and product awards. In January 2002, the company was awarded technology pioneer status by the World Economic Forum as one of the companies likely to shape the future of the world.

The World of ResidenSea has a full-time crew of 320. The ship is marketed as combining the comforts of a private home with the best features of cruising, as well as the luxurious atmosphere of an exclusive resort.