High-speed connectivity at sea saves lives, protects the environment, and ensures stable growth of a safe, secure and smart economy. JET Connectivity provides vital 5G connectivity at sea for reliable communications and real-time data collection via robust floating networks.
The company was founded by James Thomas after he lost all power, electronic navigation and communication abilities whilst on a sailing race and unable to contact anyone.
The technology
JET’s technology is developed in-house and enables reliable, fast connectivity and live data streaming across marine environments. It does so by providing network coverage in the same way as on-land mobile network operators by providing access to the network per Gb or area coverage. Unlike the current set-up, where companies who can afford it use satellite communications that require a terminal to receive the signal, with JET Connectivity, the coverage works on phones and other devices with a simple sim card.
The system is hosted on buoys, which transmit coverage sharing information between each other and sending what is required back to shore. In addition to the network itself, the buoys have a range of sensors, which collect information such as sea state, weather and 4K video. This invaluable information is streamed live across the network.
Working with ORE Catapult
Jet Connectivity worked with ORE Catapult primarily through its flagship technology accelerator programme, Launch Academy. This support helped the company to further develop the mechanical design of their buoy and mooring structures and strengthened their business case based on insights from the programme delivery team.
Following their completion of that programme, JET Connectivity joined a consortium with Microsoft, ORE Catapult, and others to develop a 5G Testbed which was launched in 2024 off the Port of Grimsby.
Scaling up
The company has seen remarkable growth and success, effectively doubling its value over the last 18 months and reaching a point where it currently stands with a projected £50m+ pipeline. To support that they have been able to grow their team from five employees at the start of their journey with ORE Catapult, to just under 30, with plans to grow further in the coming months and years. Innovate UK also recently backed the company with a £1m loan to support further commercialisation activities.
They are currently in discussions to partner with a major offshore wind developer on one of their future large scale projects, and their cross sector applicability has also seen them secure significant commercial technology development opportunities in the defence and security sectors.
Jet Connectivity’s CEO James Thomas said:
“Working with ORE Catapult has been hugely valuable to our ability to scale up and deliver effective solutions for the offshore wind sector. Our involvement in their Launch Academy programme helped to open doors for us across the industry, and build our capabilities in a way that has helped us fast track routes to commercialisation for our technology.”
