LTE-M is designed to enable high-speed mobile communications on ships approximately 100km from the shore, and the technology is expected to enhance the navigation safety of smaller ships with poor inbuilt communications systems.
In a statement, SK Telecom said that it plans to deploy the test network by May 2016 in the East Sea of Korea.
“Radio signals transmitted from a high-gain antenna located at altitude in the eastern coast will be received by a LTE-M router installed on a ship to be converted to Wifi,” the statement confirmed.
The LTE-M offshore antenna will be designed to withstand high-humidity, strong winds and a salt-laden atmosphere.