Thursday 27 March 2025
Deep in the Red Sea, a team of researchers has been working on a solution to one of the most pressing problems facing fishermen: reliable and affordable communication. For years, satellite phones have been the primary means of staying in touch while at sea, but they’re expensive, slow, and often unreliable.
The new system, dubbed AX- MMN (Maritime Mesh Network), uses Wi-Fi 6 technology to create a mesh network that can span vast distances across the ocean. By using buoys and uninhabited islands as relay nodes, fishermen can stay connected even in areas with limited terrestrial coverage.
One of the biggest advantages of AX-MMN is its cost-effectiveness. Traditional satellite phones are expensive, with some models costing thousands of dollars. In contrast, the nodes used in AX-MMN are relatively inexpensive, making it a more accessible solution for fishermen who may not have the budget for satellite phones.
But how does it work? The system uses a combination of solar-powered buoys and terrestrial base stations to create a network that can span hundreds of kilometers. Each buoy is equipped with Wi-Fi 6 technology and serves as a relay node, allowing fishermen to connect to the network even when they’re far from shore.
The system has been tested in the Red Sea, where researchers have successfully demonstrated its ability to provide reliable and fast connectivity to fishermen. In one test, a team was able to achieve data rates of up to 90 Mbps over a distance of 2 kilometers, which is significantly faster than what’s typically possible with satellite phones.
AX-MMN also has the potential to improve safety at sea. By providing real-time communication between fishermen and shore-based authorities, it can help reduce the risk of accidents and improve response times in emergency situations.
The system is still in its early stages, but the potential benefits are clear. With AX-MMN, fishermen will have access to reliable and affordable communication, which could make a huge difference in their daily lives. And as the technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that we’ll see even more innovative applications emerge.
In the Red Sea, where fishermen often spend weeks at sea, staying connected is crucial for both personal and professional reasons. With AX-MMN, they’ll finally have access to a reliable and affordable way to stay in touch with loved ones back on shore, as well as with each other while out fishing. It’s a game-changer that could make a significant impact on the lives of fishermen around the world.
Cite this article: “Revolutionizing Ocean Communication: The Ax-MMN System”, The Science Archive, 2025.
Fishermen, Communication, Red Sea, Satellite Phones, Wi-Fi 6, Maritime Mesh Network, Buoy, Terrestrial Base Stations, Solar Power, Safety At Sea
