Narrowband  |  2023-11-15

Icom Unveils World's First Marine VHF+LTE Hybrid Transceiver

Source: Icom
Curated by: Gert Jan Wolf - Editor-in Chief for The Critical Communications Review

Icom has developed the world's first* hybrid transceiver that adopts two communication systems: marine VHF and LTE.

The IP-M60 is a versatile transceiver designed for both maritime communications (marine VHF radio) and land-based communications using an LTE network.

The integration of marine VHF radios for ships, enhancing safety through two-way communication, and LTE radios, beneficial for communication during port operations such as loading and unloading containers and refueling, is expected to significantly improve work efficiency in the shipping and port industries. In addition to tugboats and rescue boats, there is anticipated demand for rescue boats that need to be linked with land-based emergency medical services.

“The launch is scheduled for March 2024. It will be available in over 20 European countries and the United States, with sales expected to reach several thousand units per year.” Says International Sales Department General Manager Mr. Shinya Terasaki.