There is a leased line over 2 installations within the C-Band sector (1024Kbit/s up and down, no datalimit). Other sectors such as Ku- or Ka-Band, which are used on other research vessels, are not usable in the polar regions where Polarstern usually goes to. Polar expeditions are a challenge for communications as well.
2 systems are available for Iridium usage (per system: 128Kbit/s up and down, 5GB/month datavolume; Ø max.100MB/day )
Mandatory regulations for the usage of communication services
Keep to the regulations because otherwise consequences under labour law cannot be ruled out!
- only professional or private usage within the frame of family and friends
- no public communication (e.g. press, radio, TV, blogs, internet, etc.), except for authorization by the department of communication & media before the journey
- no microblogging e.g. WhatsApp-groups with members apart from family and friends
- no communication in case of emergeny, also not in the private surroundings
- communication is limited to the ship's management in case of emergency
Telephone
The ship can be reach by telephone and for data traffic even in polar regions.
Seven lines with the leased line system and 6 lines with Iridium are available onboard.
The leased line is connected to AWI's own antenna in Bremerhaven. The lines go via the AWI telephone system and therefore have the general AWI number in Bremerhaven with respective extension numbers.
Leased line system
One telephone is installed in each of the two telephone boxes (Pantry A-Deck, porter's room E-Deck). These can be used for calling worldwide.
Prepaid-Code-Bons are sold onboard for usage of the telephones. The rate per minute depends on the fees charged by the provider on land. Furthermore 0,60 € per minute (incl. value tax) are charged for the usage of the leased line.
Costs for the card (incl. value tax) for usage of the leased line / Prepaid-Code-Bonus is 12 €.
Receiving incoming calls is not possible on these telephones.
Further telephones are located with the captain and the cruise leader, on the bridge and in the communications office. A telefax is also available.
Iridium
One telephone is installed in each of the two telephone boxes (Pantry A-Deck, porter's room E-Deck). These can be used for calling via Iridium worldwide.
Prepaid-Code-Bons are sold onboard for usage of the telephones. The rates are uniform worldwide.
Costs for the card (incl. value tax) for usage of Iridium / 45-minutes-Prepaidcard (worldwide) 32,75 €
Receiving incoming calls is not possible on these telephones.
Further telephones are located on the bridge and in the communications office.
Internet
Leased line
A bandwidth of 1024kbits/s down and up is availabe from the leased line.
Basically, the datasize is unlimited and determined by the usage behaviour of the participants.
The bandwidth is shared between all computers, notebooks and other devices onboard for both crew and scientific members.
Internet access is enabled for:
- cruise leader
- several computers in the user room
- captain
- doctor
- system administrator
- communications electronics engineer
- bridge computer for update of nautical charts
- ship's office
- aviation officer
- German Weather Forecast
For using the bandwidth effectively some data-intensive applications are technically limited (e.g. Skype).
Iridium
A bandwidth of 128kbit/s down and 128kbit/s up is available.
Amount of data is limited to 5GB per month and Iridium system (=10GB per month).
The bandwidth is shared between all computers, notebooks and other devices onboard for both crew and scientific members.
Internet access is enabled for:
- cruise leader
- captain
- system administrator
- communications electronics engineer
For using the bandwidth effectively some data-intensive applications are technically limited (e.g. Skype).
Two especially prepared notebooks are available for internet usage which show the already transfered amount of data and prevent unintended data transfer (automatic updates). The notebooks are handed out by the communications officer who also controls the used amount of data and settles the bill. The network connectors have to be enabled by the system administrator.
A ship's own mail programme exists onboard which can be used for sending and receiving mails. Data transfer takes place every 10 minutes. Attachments can also be transferred but size is limited according to the table on the right side
Alternatively you can configure your own mail programme accordingly. Information about this will be given to you onboard.
The usage of the mailing function is issued by AWI free of charge with an exception for the German Weather Service due to contractual agreements.
Usage of the AWI mail server and the own mail account is only possible from the public internet computers.
Construction of the mail addresses is like this:
Scientific expedition member "Alfred Wegener" receives the address:
AWegener@awi-polarstern.de
Crew member "Hein Seemann" receives the address:
HSeemann.p@awi-polarstern.de
The cruise leader receives the address:
Fahrtleiter@awi-polarstern.de
Iridium:
Data size limitations (see below) are necessary to ensure a smooth data transfer. Extension of the data size quickly leads to reaching the tariff limits and has therefore to be avoided. In case the tariff is exceeded carelessly the additional costs have to be paid by the accountable person.
Leased line:
Limitations suggested here may be adjusted to the conditions on-site after consultation with the leading electronics engineer.
| Suggested limitations: | leased line | Iridium |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise leader | 5 MByte | 1 MByte |
| Group leader | 2 MByte | 100 kByte |
German Weather Service | 2 MByte | 1 MByte |
| Helicopter Crew | 2 MByte | 100 kByte |
| Captain | 5 MByte | 1 MByte |
| Ship's managment | 2 MByte | 100 KByte |
| Scientific participants | 500 kByte | 50 kByte |
Intranet
An Bord gibt es ein Intranet über das u.a. Daten ausgetauscht werden können, Zugang zum D-Ship3 besteht, E-Mails gesendet und empfangen werden können, etc..
Zugang besteht über LAN aus den Laboren und Kammern (Achtung: Kabel selbst mitbringen!) oder über W-LAN.
Durch die Vielzahl der extern mitgebrachten PCs besteht das Risiko, dass die Rechnersysteme an Bord von Computer-Viren und Würmern befallen werden.
Wenn Sie den eigenen Computer im Intranet an Bord benutzen möchten, wenden Sie sich bitte zuerst an den System-Manager, bevor Sie den Rechner an das Netz anschließen!
WhatsApp
Bei Betrieb der Standleitung ist die eingeschränkte Nutzung von WhatsApp an Bord möglich. Textnachrichten können dann gesendet und empfangen werden. Dieser Service ist für alle kostenfrei. Wir bitten um Verständnis, das WhatsApp Nutzung im Iridiumbetrieb nicht zur Verfügung steht. Die technisch möglichen Bandbreiten reduzieren dann die Möglichkeiten stark, so dass dienstliche Kommunikation Priorität haben muss.