Featured in BICSI’s ICT Today Special Premises Magazine (Oct./Nov./Dec. 2025 Issue)
Modern cruise ships are massive, complex floating cities, carrying thousands of passengers and crew while operating under some of the most challenging conditions for networking. Passengers now expect the same fast, secure, and reliable connectivity they enjoy at high-end resorts—high-throughput Wi-Fi, interactive apps, digital entertainment, and immersive VR experiences—while cruise operators must also optimize operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
In this ICT Today article, Karen Leos, Tellabs VP of Global Sales and Professional Services, explores how Passive Optical Networking (PON) technology is helping cruise lines meet these demands. Traditional copper networks face serious challenges at sea: long cable runs, corrosion from salt air, heavy cable weight, and high power and cooling requirements. PON overcomes these hurdles with lightweight, corrosion-resistant singlemode optical fiber that delivers higher bandwidth, longer reach, and immunity to electromagnetic interference.
The benefits for cruise ships are substantial:
- Simpler and faster deployment: Smaller fiber cables are easier to route through tight, compartmentalized spaces.
- Energy and cost savings: Fewer switches and distribution points reduce power, cooling, and fuel consumption.
- Enhanced passenger safety and experience: Reliable, high-speed connectivity supports AI-driven surveillance, IoT sensors, and immersive digital amenities.
- Sustainability gains: Lighter cabling and longer-lasting equipment reduce environmental impact.
By adopting passive optical LANs, cruise lines can provide bow-to-stern connectivity that supports thousands of devices, enhances onboard experiences, optimizes operations, and advances sustainability initiatives—all while reducing total cost of ownership.
Explore the full article through BICSI to see why Passive Optical LANs are the ideal solution for modern cruise ship networks.
Read the full article on the BICSI website (BICSI membership required).