Vehicular

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Vehicular 12 results

Satellite Internet

Vehicle Satellite Internet That Stays Connected While You Drive

Roof-mounted auto-tracking BGAN terminals, omnidirectional Iridium Certus systems and Ku-band flat panels for fleets, command vehicles, convoys and expedition trucks.

Talk to a specialist See portable terminals

What vehicular satellite internet does that portable kits cannot

A wildfire incident commander is driving between two divisions with no cell coverage for the next two hours, and the situation map, the radio-over-IP link and the weather feed all need to stay live in the back seat. A hand-pointed BGAN panel cannot do that. The moment the truck turns, it loses the satellite.

Vehicular terminals solve it in one of two ways. Auto-tracking antennas (the EXPLORER 323, 325 and 727 and the Hughes 9450-C11 on BGAN, the Thuraya IP Voyager and IP Commander on Thuraya) physically or electronically follow the satellite as the vehicle moves. Omnidirectional antennas (the Thales MissionLINK on Iridium Certus) see the whole sky at once and never need to track. Kymeta flat panels do the same trick for Ku-band VSAT with electronic beam steering.

This page is about communications on the move. If the vehicle only carries the kit to a site where it is set up stationary, Land Mobility has lighter, simpler options; for the same class of tracking on a boat, see Maritime.

BGAN in-motion terminals

Class 11 auto-tracking systems for vehicle roofs, from a compact single unit to a full four-port mobile office.

Iridium Certus and Thuraya vehicular systems

Omnidirectional Certus for global in-motion use; Thuraya auto-tracking units for teams inside the Thuraya footprint.

Ku and Ka-band vehicle systems and components

Flat-panel VSAT for in-motion megabits, plus the drive-away dish and BUC that share this category.

How to choose an in-motion satellite terminal

Start with the network, then the antenna, then the install.

BGAN, Certus or Ku-band

BGAN Class 11 trackers deliver up to 464 kbps while moving on the Hughes 9450-C11 and 432 kbps above 125 mph on the EXPLORER 727, on a geostationary network that covers everywhere but the poles. Iridium Certus on the Thales MissionLINK gives 700 kbps down and 352 kbps up with pole-to-pole coverage and no moving parts. Kymeta Ku-band panels move you into VSAT throughput but need a Ku plan and more power. Thuraya models only make sense inside the Thuraya footprint (Europe, Africa, Middle East, most of Asia).

Tracking dome or omni

A tracking antenna is faster on BGAN but has a minimum elevation angle: the EXPLORER 727 needs the satellite above 20 degrees for premium voice in motion, and coverage ends at 5 degrees. An omni antenna such as the MissionLINK's 35.6 cm unit has no such limit and is IP67 with a single cable. On winding mountain roads and at high latitudes the omni wins; on open highway the BGAN dome delivers more.

Magnetic or permanent mount

The EXPLORER 325 ships with a magnetic mount and the 323 offers optional magnets, so a terminal can move between vehicles. The 727 ships with fixed and rail mounting options; the Hughes 9450-C11 uses a permanent mount with magnets optional. Fleets that rotate vehicles want magnets; a dedicated command vehicle wants bolts.

Power and ports inside the cab

In-motion systems draw more than portables. The EXPLORER 325 and 727 accept 10.5 to 32 V DC and can draw up to 150 W including antenna and PoE output. The 727 offers four PoE LAN ports, two phone ports and ISDN; the 9450-C11 has four PoE ports, Wi-Fi and up to 11 sessions. Count the devices in the vehicle first.

EXPLORER 323 vs 325 vs 727 vs Hughes 9450-C11

The four BGAN vehicular units side by side, from the satmodo.com product pages.

	EXPLORER 323	EXPLORER 325	EXPLORER 727	Hughes 9450-C11
Form	Single integrated antenna and transceiver	Separate transceiver, antenna and IP handset	Separate transceiver, antenna and IP handset	Separate terminal and tracking antenna
In-motion data	Yes (rate not stated on product page)	Yes, auto-tracking (rate not stated)	Up to 432 kbps while moving over 125 mph; up to 492 kbps standard IP	Up to 464 kbps while moving
Streaming	Not stated	Not stated	BGAN X-Stream minimum 384 kbps, stationary only	128 kbps streaming IP; QoS 32, 64 or 128 kbps
Antenna size and weight	12.7 in diameter, 3.82 in high, 7.9 lb	13.8 in diameter, 9 lb excluding magnets	18.76 in diameter, 6.3 in high, 13.2 lb	Class 11 mini tracking antenna (weight not stated)
Ingress rating	IP66	Not stated	Not stated	Not stated
Power	12 or 24 V vehicle port	5 to 32 V DC; up to 150 W with PoE	10.5 to 32 V DC; up to 150 W with PoE	Vehicle DC (figure not stated)
Ports	Ethernet via 6 m hybrid cable	2x LAN PoE, 1x RJ11, I/O	4x LAN PoE, 2x RJ11, ISDN, I/O	4x Ethernet PoE, RJ11, ISDN, built-in Wi-Fi
Best for	Compact install, one cable, M2M-capable	Fleet vehicles that move the unit between cars	Command vehicles needing the most ports and the highest in-motion rate	Multi-user vehicles with Wi-Fi and voice

Sources: satmodo.com product pages for each model. 'Not stated' means the product page omits the figure; consult the manufacturer datasheet before specifying.

Iridium Certus in motion: the Thales MissionLINK

The Thales MissionLINK is the in-motion terminal we recommend when the route goes anywhere BGAN's geostationary satellites sit low on the horizon, or when the operator has no time to think about pointing. Its 35.6 cm, 3.2 kg omnidirectional antenna is IP67 with a single cable to a 3.4 kg terminal that provides 700 kbps down, 352 kbps up, three voice channels, an 802.11 b/g access point and connections for up to 12 devices. The Iridium constellation covers the globe pole to pole, so a convoy in northern Alaska sees the same service as one in Texas.

The MissionLINK TOC BOX is the same terminal packaged for rapid deployment: MCOM1 M2 ruggedised case, antenna tray, 24 V supply and charger, 12 V DC cable and an 8 Ah LiFePO4 battery, so it can run in the vehicle or be lifted out and set on a tailgate. A magnetic roof mount for the antenna is sold separately. For a lower-cost Certus 200 version that stays in a case, see the MissionLINK 200 on the Land Mobility page.

Small dome-shaped omnidirectional satellite antenna on the roof of a pickup, photographed close with mountains behind

Thuraya IP Voyager and IP Commander: 444 kbps on the move, in the right region

Both Thuraya units deliver IP data up to 444 kbps and streaming up to 384 kbps while moving, with a magnetic-mount antenna that fits in seconds. The IP Voyager is IP56, has a built-in 802.11 b/g/n access point with WPA2 and four PoE ports, and is built for the vibration of a vehicle chassis. The IP Commander adds MIL-SPEC connectors and chassis and a voice handset for defence and border-patrol customers who need the ruggedisation.

The honest caveat: Thuraya covers Europe, Africa, the Middle East and most of Asia, and nothing in the Americas. For North American fleets, the BGAN and Certus systems above are the right choice.

Convoy of white 4x4 vehicles on a desert track, one with a roof-mounted satellite antenna

Ku-band on the move: Kymeta flat panels

When a vehicle needs VSAT throughput rather than kilobits, the Kymeta u7 is the flat-panel answer. It steers its beam electronically with no motors, receives 11.85 to 12.75 GHz Ku-band, and the Kyway U7 system pairs it with an 8 W BUC and modem in an all-outdoor configuration with over-the-air updates and cloud management. The KyWay Go packages the same u7 antenna with an interface unit in two rugged cases and is transmitting in under four minutes, so it can move between a vehicle roof and a fixed site.

The EXPLORER 8100GX, a 1 m Ka-band drive-away dish, holds its link when wind rocks the parked vehicle but is designed to work stationary; it lives on the Land Mobility page and appears here because it travels on a roof. The NJRC NJT5127F 6 W Ku BUC is a spare or upgrade component for Ku antennas, not a terminal.

Flat square satellite antenna panel mounted flush on a vehicle roof rack, shot from slightly above

What you need alongside a vehicular terminal

The install is half the job.

A 12 or 24 V supply able to carry the peak load: budget 150 W for the EXPLORER 325 or 727 with PoE devices attached.

Roof mounting: magnetic mounts for the 323 and 9450-C11 if you move the unit between vehicles; a drilled permanent mount (the 323 ships with a template) for a dedicated vehicle.

Cable runs to the cab: 6 m hybrid on the 323, 2.7 m and 8 m antenna cables on the 727, an 8 m RF cable on the 9450-C11.

An airtime plan that allows in-motion use on your network.

Fitting out a fleet or a command vehicle?

We will spec the terminal, mount, cabling and plan for your vehicle type, and tell you which units can be swapped between vehicles.

Call (800) 279-2366

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

Can I use satellite internet while driving?

Yes, with a terminal built for it. Auto-tracking BGAN units (EXPLORER 323, 325, 727, Hughes 9450-C11), Thuraya IP Voyager and IP Commander, the Thales MissionLINK on Iridium Certus and Kymeta flat panels all hold a connection in motion. Hand-pointed portable panels do not.

What is COTM?

Communications on the move: a satellite link that stays up while the vehicle, vessel or aircraft is travelling. It requires either an antenna that tracks the satellite mechanically or electronically, or an omnidirectional antenna that does not need to track. Every product on this page is a COTM system.

How fast is vehicle satellite internet?

On BGAN, the Hughes 9450-C11 delivers up to 464 kbps while moving and the EXPLORER 727 up to 432 kbps above 125 mph. On Iridium Certus, the Thales MissionLINK gives 700 kbps down and 352 kbps up. Thuraya IP units reach 444 kbps in the Thuraya footprint. Kymeta Ku-band panels reach VSAT speeds that depend on the plan.

Which is better in a vehicle, BGAN or Iridium Certus?

Certus if the route reaches high latitudes, mountain terrain or anywhere the geostationary BGAN satellite sits low, because the MissionLINK's omni antenna needs no line of sight to a fixed point in the sky and covers the poles. BGAN if you want the highest in-motion data rates and the most cab ports on open roads. Many agencies run one of each.

How much power does a vehicular satellite terminal use?

More than a portable. The EXPLORER 325 and 727 accept 10.5 to 32 V DC and can draw up to 150 W including the antenna and PoE output to connected devices. The EXPLORER 323 runs from a standard 12 or 24 V vehicle port. Size the vehicle's auxiliary power accordingly.

Will Thuraya IP Voyager work in the United States?

No. Thuraya covers Europe, Africa, the Middle East and most of Asia, with no service in the Americas or anywhere outside that footprint. For North American vehicles choose a BGAN tracker or the Thales MissionLINK on Iridium Certus.

Buyer’s Guide: Integrating Satellite Internet into Your Vehicle

Equipping a vehicle for satellite connectivity requires specialized hardware that handles vibration, speed, and power management. To choose the best system for your fleet or personal rig, consider these key operational factors:

Comms-on-the-Move (COTM) vs. Stationary Use

The most important distinction in vehicular satellite internet is whether you need it while driving. In-motion systems, such as the Starlink Flat High Performance kit or the Thales MissionLINK, utilize advanced phased-array or omni-directional antennas to maintain a lock on the satellite while the vehicle turns and accelerates. If you only need connectivity when parked (Comms-on-the-Pause), standard portable terminals may suffice, but for true mobility and safety, a dedicated COTM system is essential.

Aerodynamics and Mounting Profiles

Vehicle-mounted antennas must withstand wind resistance and clearance issues. We offer low-profile, flat-panel terminals—like those from Kymeta and Starlink—that mount flush to a roof rack or vehicle deck. These aerodynamic designs minimize drag and avoid snagging on tree branches or low clearances, making them ideal for SUVs, ambulances, and tactical vehicles. Their rugged construction is also vibration-tested to endure thousands of miles of washboard roads without hardware failure.

Power Integration and Fleet Management

Vehicular terminals connect directly to your vehicle’s 12V or 24V DC power system, ensuring they run efficiently without draining your starter battery. For commercial applications, these systems do more than just provide Wi-Fi; they enable real-time fleet telemetry, driver tracking, and route optimization software to run seamlessly in dead zones. This level of connectivity allows logistics managers to monitor assets continuously, reducing downtime and improving safety standards across the entire operation.

In the modern world, "out of range" is no longer an option for professionals on the move. Our vehicle satellite systems are engineered for durability and ease of use, featuring low-profile antennas that don't compromise your vehicle's aerodynamics. With Satmodo, you get the speed of land-based broadband with the freedom of the open road.

FAQs:

Can I use vehicular satellite internet while driving? Yes, we offer "in-motion" terminals specifically designed to track satellites while the vehicle is moving.
Is it difficult to install a vehicle satellite antenna? Most systems feature magnetic or roof-rack mounts and simplified cabling, though professional installation is recommended for permanent setups.