AST Networks has launched a ‘try before you buy’ promotion that will let qualifying vessels test low Earth orbit satellite connectivity at sea with no upfront cost, the maritime news outlet sources indicated on 14 September 2026.
The offer supplies two months of unlimited OneWeb connectivity to qualifying ships, accompanied by an Intellian OW10 antenna provided on a sale-or-return basis. Vessels accepted into the scheme face no initial payment to begin the trial period.
The promotion is designed to allow maritime customers to experience high-speed, low-latency LEO connectivity on their own vessels before deciding whether to subscribe to the service. The trial therefore combines hardware access and the operator-level service for a defined evaluation window.
Offer specifics
Under the terms detailed by reports, the trial delivers unlimited OneWeb data for two months. The Intellian OW10 antenna is supplied on a sale-or-return arrangement, enabling shipowners or operators to return the unit if they choose not to proceed.
No upfront costs for vessels that qualify were reported, with the implication that participating ships can commence testing without an immediate capital outlay. The report did not specify eligibility criteria, regional limits or how many vessels will be admitted.
What the trial permits
AST Networks’ promotion gives operators the opportunity to run the service in operational conditions aboard their own ships and to appraise factors such as throughput and latency in situ. Trialling on a vessel rather than in a lab or shore demonstration can help users determine whether the LEO service meets their operational or crew-connectivity needs.
The promotion couples access to OneWeb’s LEO network with an Intellian OW10 terminal, meaning trial participants receive both the space-segment connection and the specific antenna hardware intended for the service. The sale-or-return provision reduces the immediate hardware commitment for those who elect not to proceed after the trial.
The announcement, as reported on 14 September 2026, gives vessel operators an option to evaluate the new class of satellite connectivity by running it in their everyday operating environment. The report supplies the essential commercial elements of the promotion but does not expand on rollout plans or longer-term pricing for continued service.
Those interested in the trial will need to approach AST Networks to establish whether their vessels meet the supplier’s qualifying conditions and to arrange the sale-or-return supply of the Intellian OW10. The promotion presents a short, no-upfront-cost period of unrestricted OneWeb connectivity intended to inform any subsequent purchasing decision.