Elcome International’s WELCOME Maritime Wi-Fi, now marking one year of service, has emerged as a transformative force in the lives of seafarers, delivering fast, reliable, and affordable internet access across the globe’s oceans.
A recent user experience survey reveals overwhelming satisfaction for the service and highlights its vital role in supporting the mental health, communication, and professional growth of seafarers. “Seafarers using WELCOME Wi-Fi report high levels of satisfaction, daily reliance on messaging and video calls, and a growing belief that maritime internet should be treated as essential infrastructure,” said Jimmy Grewal, Elcome’s Managing Director.
Based on answers to the 13-question survey, the average internet speed rating from respondents was 8.7 and above, with 44% awarding WELCOME Wi-Fi a perfect score of 10. Ease of use followed closely with a score of 8, and overall experience averaged 9. Nearly half of all users (49%) rated their experience a 10.
“What we’re seeing is a complete shift in expectations,” said Grewal. “Crew members are no longer asking for basic access, they’re asking for parity. They want what everyone onshore already has: the ability to communicate, participate, learn, relax, and be human. We believe seafarers deserve this.”
WELCOME users also rated video call quality highly: 88% said it was either excellent or very good. This reflects how far maritime communications have advanced in just a few years. One respondent noted: “Who knew the middle of the ocean could have better Wi-Fi than my apartment?”
The feedback also underlines how central WELCOME Wi-Fi has become to seafarers’ everyday lives. An overwhelming 76% of respondents said they connect with family and friends multiple times daily. The most used applications include WhatsApp (85%), Gmail and other email services (70%) social media platforms (60%), and video streaming (45%).
One user commented: “Before WELCOME, FaceTime calls would cut out or not connect. Now, I’m able to call home before and after work every day. It has really been a blessing.”
Seafarers are not just using WELCOME to call home but also to carry out essential life admin. Over half of all respondents (53%) said they rely on WELCOME Wi-Fi for transactional services, such as banking, bill payments, shopping, and other essential tasks. As one user wrote: “It helps me to make any kind of payment to my family and friends without any internet issue.”
In an industry where long offshore periods once meant financial disconnect, WELCOME is restoring autonomy and convenience to life at sea.
In terms of value, 71% of respondents described WELCOME as either “much more” or “slightly more” affordable than other satellite providers. When asked to rate their likelihood of recommending the service to a friend or colleague, WELCOME scored a Net Promoter Score® of 71, an outstanding result in any industry, let alone maritime telecoms.
“WELCOME is more than just an internet solution,” said Grewal. “Affordable, reliable Wi-Fi is a lifeline that keeps families connected across vast oceans. It has role to play in reducing seafarer loneliness, enabling e-learning, accessing banking and essential services, and even gaming and streaming sites and platforms, activities previously impossible to maintain reliably at sea.”
Among the most resonant quotes selected by respondents were: “With WELCOME, I can finally video call my family whenever I want. The speed is just like being on land. It’s really a game changer.” (68%); “Internet onboard used to be a privilege. Now it feels like a right.” (41%); “It’s not just about connectivity; it’s about safety and morale.” (36%)
Respondents also voiced a clear appetite for modern payment methods, with 59% requesting UPI integration and 46% suggesting online banking. Several also proposed mobile-first wallets like GCash, GrabPay, and even cryptocurrency. Elcome says the findings will inform ongoing product development and pricing strategies for WELCOME Wi-Fi.
“Connectivity shouldn’t stop at the shoreline,” Grewal said. “This survey reaffirms that seafarers want, and need, the same digital access as anyone else.”
