The fruit of a research project
Neptulink was created at the beginning of 2015 following a research project carried out within the Pole Mer Bretagne by MVG, Thales, Alcatel and Télécom Bretagne, to develop a 4G antenna system at sea. The results being fruitful, the company MVG, specialist in antennas, bought the rights to launch its product, Neptulink, a 4G antenna allowing Internet reception up to 20 miles from the coast, assembled and designed in Brest.
Operating diagram
New features on an equivalent budget
Compared to the first generation antenna, the new Neptulink has a more discreet and modern design,"hammerhead shark nose" according to Romain Butet, commercial in charge of the product. The absence of sharp angles and its limited weight of about 3 kg allows its installation on any type of boat, sailboats included.
The integration of a wifi router allows the wireless signal to be broadcast on the boat but also the automatic connection to the port network to save the 4G package.
The use of broad-band antenna improves the reception quality. The 20 mile range remains the same, being limited by the range of the transmitters ashore.
The new antenna will be sold at a recommended retail price of 1990 € including tax, i.e. 390 € more than the old model.
1st generation antenna on the Biche for TOWT
New marketing
The first generation of antenna has tested its relevance and resistance with many professional users such as Ifremer, the towing company of Les Abeilles, TOWT or IxBlue. While MVG was previously also selling to individual boaters, the company is changing its commercial policy with the launch of the second generation in the summer of 2016. The new model will now only be sold to integrators and a network of resellers, currently under construction. It thus intends to develop in the yachting and nautical sector.
The development also goes through the United States where Neptulink is distributed since autumn 2015.
