Jason Robertson in the SYR Hotseat

We’re really pleased to welcome our new sponsors MIMO Connect and so to introduce them, our CEO Ed sat down with the brains behind MIMO Connect, Jason Robertson, to find out more about the authority in all things superyacht communications.

Jason, welcome to the SYR hotseat.

Thank you very much Ed!

MIMO Connect has become a well known name in the superyacht sector in a short period of time. For those who don’t already know you, can you sum up in a nutshell the product/service offering from MIMO?

MIMO stands for Multiple In Multiple Out, which in the world of connectivity, means we deliver ultimate diversity and performance. The business’ heritage and focus is firmly based on supporting the maritime industry where we have built an enviable reputation as the ‘go to’ partners for superyacht data connectivity.

You’ve moved away from the more plug-and-play setups that your competition offer to the market, instead creating your own domes and internals. Do you feel that this is what puts you above the rest in terms of connectivity and reliability?

Absolutely, MIMO Connect developed the first and original cellular 4G/5G Dome, developed during Covid. The groundbreaking MIMO technology is EMC tested and approved, providing a new novel idea of incorporating all cellular antennas neatly within one enclosure, avoiding expensive labour-intensive coax cable runs.

The immediate benefit with having a MIMO Dome is that the full cellular signal reaches the cellular modem located inside the dome providing the fastest and most reliable connection possible.

Our partnership with the best maritime modem and antenna provider allows us to not only offer reliable balanced connections but also a full three year warranty. In addition, we are also very proud of the top quality maritime approved IOT multi network SIM cards we offer.

MIMO have become a bit of an authority on the Starlink products, recently testing the Starlink Mini. Do you see this as the future for onboard connectivity across the world’s oceans, or are there still areas where a backup will be needed? Do you think Starlink will ever really be competed against on the global market?

MIMO Connect joined the Starlink Beta Better Than Nothing program early on in July 2020 and received its first Starlink Terminal “Dishy” in Dec 2020. We’ve been directly involved from the beginning, providing SpaceX with explanations and advice on how Starlink could be used within the maritime sector and see this as being one of the biggest technology improvements since VSAT was introduced in 1986.

Starlink is most definitely here to stay and from its infancy has managed to maintain an impressive onboarding cadence, rapidly becoming a serious player in data connectivity. In no small part, Starlink’s success can be attributed to the fact that generally it works very well, offers very low latency (approx. 20ms – 60ms) with incredible fibre like speeds of over 300Mbps down and 20Mbps up.

Starlink has competition with cellular 4G/5G connectivity on land and near shore/marinas and there are other Low Earth Orbit constellations already available and there are more coming, so they won’t necessarily always have it their way.

Some schools of thought predict that Starlink will be the end of Cellular, but that could be hasty as Cellular does offer comparable download speeds but much higher upload speeds compared with Starlink, and right now Cellular 4G/5G pricing is, on the whole, more affordable.

Where is MIMO headed next when it comes to target markets and the tech that you use? How do you intend to maintain your foothold as a market leader?

MIMO Connect strives to lead the industry through innovation and adopting new connection technologies as they evolve. MIMO Connect are already geared up to support clients who require robust and reliable connectivity at any location so expanding into other verticals outside of the maritime industry is a natural progression.

MIMO Connect have seen much interest and some early success supplying our products and services to security, emergency services and transport companies.

Lastly, with the autumn shows already well underway, do you have anything exciting planned to showcase the MIMO Connect brand to the wider industry?

Always, MIMO Connect is constantly developing and prototyping new products and the business is very excited with the opportunities coming out of the rapid technological changes. We look forward to launching and showcasing these solutions at upcoming events.

MIMO Connect have a great Crew SIM collaboration with ACREW which goes live at the Monaco Yacht Show and ‘watch this space,’ and follow our socials for something truly game changing that is in trials right now and which will be launched at METS (Marine Exhibition Trade Show) in November 2024.

Thanks Jason, that all sounds very exciting and we’re looking forward to seeing our jointly branded SYR, MIMO Connect and Robertson ETOs taxi doing the rounds during the Monaco Yacht Show!