e3 Systems - Roger Horner's Legacy


We speak with e3's European Sales – Account Manager and industry friend Hamish Goddard as the first anniversary of Roger's passing draws near...

It seems scarcely believable that it is now a year since we lost Roger Horner, cruelly and suddenly one early February morning.

Roger was a dynamic entrepreneur from the very beginning, becoming one of the most respected, admired – and universally liked - figures within our industry sector. A big man with an even bigger charisma, he was always hungry for the success of the company he founded with Alan Walker and Jason Abbott in 1996. He was constantly excited about the rapid evolution of communications, writing on that subject in no less than 318 editions of The Islander magazine - their longest and most consistent contributor by a country mile - his last article submitted only days before he passed. He expertly helmed the company through all the developments related to connectivity at sea for nearly 30 years.

Roger Horner

He was also immensely supportive and engaged with various charities over the years – usually ones that had a nautical theme - Save The Med and more latterly Yachting Gives Back. He loved – and fronted - the e3 charity cycle rides that were developed over the years, which have now raised over €20,000 for local charitable causes unrelated to our industry, but benefitting homeless shelters, food banks, an Aids Hospice and educational support initiatives in Palma and the rest of Mallorca.

Roger at MYC

One year on, there remains a surreal feeling that Roger is no longer with us and we miss our front man every day. However, in delivering his legacy, e3 Systems continues to thrive through a period of more dynamic change than we have seen in the industry for a very long time – chiefly around the advent of commercially-launched Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations, led of course by the wide adoption of Starlink.

Time to Remove the Domes?

The VSAT domes that were ubiquitous on all the large vessels are now, in most cases, surplus to requirement, as they no longer provide the service for which they were once purchased. The slow speeds plus the bulk of the antennas are a world away from the new LEO systems. If you need a back-up for Starlink, then its more likely to be GSM for coastal and the new LEO network from OneWeb when at sea.

The OneWeb service now comes fully equipped with small, affordable and easy to install flat panel antennas and the latest OW10 antenna from our old friend Intellian is similar in size to the Starlink Maritime panel. Not only is it small, easy to fit and an ideal replacement for those VSAT domes - especially on sailing yachts - it can also use the existing cabling left by the VSAT systems, making the installation fast and clean, even with masts in place. It is an option seriously worth considering prior to summer 2025, with remarkably low-cost Airtime options that again demonstrate that conventional VSAT pricing is a thing of the past.

Starlink V

An Entertainment Revolution

Looking ahead to 2025, there will likely be many further changes. Starlink will continue to develop their service – most likely filling the large gaps between the data allowance packages available - and even faster data. New LEO services such as Amazon’s Kuiper and Rivada networks will start launching satellites very soon, albeit remaining a few years behind Starlink. OneWeb will continue to gain traction and be installed in greater numbers, particularly to cover Turkey where Starlink do not allow services and finally, and there will be a revolution in TV and entertainment services available at sea.

Due to the big changes in data speeds, vessels can now access more entertainment content than ever before. These super-fast internet speeds mean that in some cases, vessels are now better served than residential and business users ashore. Who could have predicted that?!

e3 System's Alan & Roger 

With fewer compromises to what vessels can do or see, vessels now have the speeds and capacity to access whatever they wish through IPTV, although the fly in the ointment with IPTV has always been licensing and regulation, and regional rules and laws meant that IPTV services - especially major sport - could not be accessed legally.

At e3 Systems, we are pleased to say that in 2025, we can now offer Sky Stream TV services that are authorized to be accessed globally. Simply hook up your Starlink, OneWeb or GSM service through our eHub connectivity device and we can plug you into Sky’s live sport coverage from wherever you are - and with no more worrying about satellite footprints.

This technology will allow you to watch Formula 1, Rugby, Tennis, Golf and of course Premier League football (and much more) wherever and whenever you want to. This was unthinkable until the advent of LEO services.

Again, rarely have there been so many significant developments that have affected both the heavy hardware on yachts and the user-experience in such a short period of time.

At e3 Systems, we can provide, manage and remotely support all of the above services from under a single roof.

Our heartfelt thoughts and love go out to Nicky, Lucy and Katy Horner x

We wish all readers and users of the Superyacht Services Guide a happy and successful 2025 and please be in touch for any or all of your connectivity needs!
www.e3s.com / [email protected] / +34 971 404 208

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