MAX Dome Series Comparison Table

Each ‘modem’ has two SIM Card slots for automatic failover from Globe to Smart or vice versa. The advantage of the HD2 Dome (Dual 4G) would be strongest for users who do video calling for business. Here’s why, while the Single modem 4G and Domes will automatically switch from Globe to Smart, when there’s no data coming in from Globe, this takes about 2-3 minutes for it to switch over and connect to Smart, during which time there is zero connectivity. The HD2 Dome combines and bonds both Globe and Smart’s data through the Peplink’s SpeedFusion Service, and if either service goes out, it’s normally for under a second or less.

The HD1 Dome Pro model is our favorite, because besides that it can get the highest speeds available, and it has WiFi as WAN (your Internet source). This cool feature is, when you pull into a port, and scan for the fastest WiFi network to connect to, enter the password, it will stay connected until you leave that port switching back automatically onto the again. Next time you pull into that port, it will connect automatically remembering the network just like your laptop or phone.

The HD1 Dome Pro model can also be set as a WiFi Access point, giving you very strong WiFi coverage for your deck and surrounding area.

A primer, on the latest cellular data technologies and advancements:

Cellular data modems have a CAT rating, the higher the CAT rating, the newer the technology, higher speeds and performance it delivers. Also the higher the CAT Rating, the better the ability of the modem to connect to a weak signal and still get data.

Every vessel STZ IT Solutions has worked on so far that has had an existing Cellular Data Modem system, was using the CAT6 standard.

Advantages the CAT12, CAT18, and CAT20 modems, have over CAT6 modems:

CAT6 modems connect to a SINGLE LTE (4G) Band (Frequency) and gets data from that SINGLE band.

CAT12 modems connect to TWO LTE Bands at once and combine them for DOUBLE the speed (this is called carrier aggregation).

The HD2 Dome (Dual 4G) has (2) two of these modems inside the dome, allowing for instantaneous failover between Telcos. (i.e. Globe and Smart).

CAT18 modems can connect to up to FIVE LTE Bands at once and COMBINES THEM ALL for the maximum speed possible.

The HD1 Dome (Single 4G) has (1) of these modems inside the with two SIM card slots for failover.

The CAT20 modem is the same except that it adds . With carrier aggregation a CAT20 modem in a strong signal area can actually download up to 1.2 Gbps (1200Mbps), while we don't have those kinds of speeds yet here, but this would future-proof your vessel's data connection for many years.

The Peplink HD1 Dome Pro (Single ) has (1) of these modems inside the with two SIM card slots for failover.

And the new KVH TracNet H Series, H30, H60, and H90 VSAT Domes all include a Single

A 4G Modem uses 4G and will fall back to 3G. A Modem uses and will fall back to 4G and 3G.

The HD1 Dome (4G) is well suited for many owners who don’t need the blazing speeds of and don’t have that many users.

As mentioned, the HD2 Dome (4G) is the best choice for owners who rely on , , , etc. for important business video conferences.

The HD1 Dome Pro () is a great choice for owners who want 4K video streaming, and/or have a lot of users & devices; and the WiFi as WAN feature really increases connections options with fast shore-based WiFi networks also usable, and saves the cellular data load for when needed while underway.

It’s also a very good fit for commercial cargo vessels. With its ability to connect to fast WiFi connections while in ports, submission of critical clearance documents is smooth sailing, compared to hours of stress over a slow VSAT connection.