Mobilis S.A., based in Aix-en-Provence, France, has over 35 years of expertise in the design and manufacture of buoys and buoy equipment. The company operates two specialised production plants in the Lot-et-Garonne region: one for polyethylene float roto-moulding and another for aluminium and stainless-steel sheet metalwork. All products are manufactured in France using recyclable materials.
To ensure reliable environmental monitoring, Mobilis S.A. developed data acquisition buoys equipped with cellular and satellite connectivity. When connectivity challenges arose—especially with offshore deployments—Mobilis turned to EBDS Wireless & Antennas, POYNTING’s trusted French partner. Together, EBDS and POYNTING provided antenna solutions that significantly improved the reliability and reach of Mobilis’s data transmission systems.
Data buoys are crucial tools for oceanographic and meteorological monitoring, collecting real-time environmental data in marine settings. Here’s what they typically measure:
The data collected from buoys serves a range of important functions. It can be transmitted in real time to shore-based or ship-based stations, providing immediate insights into ocean and weather conditions. In addition to real-time transmission, the data is often stored for future retrieval, allowing for in-depth scientific analysis over time. It also plays a critical role in feeding broader data systems, such as the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and contributes to the accuracy of weather forecasting models worldwide
A wide variety of users rely on this information for their operations and research. Meteorological agencies use it for forecasting and tracking storms, while oceanographers and climate scientists depend on it to better understand marine environments and climate change. The maritime industry—including shipping companies, offshore energy operators, and fisheries—uses buoy data to improve safety and efficiency. Environmental organisations use it to monitor ecosystem health, and it also supports military and coast guard operations in their efforts to ensure maritime security and safety.
Connectivity is key for these applications:
Simply put, data buoys are the sentinels of the sea. Their ability to transmit accurate, timely data under extreme conditions is critical for safety, science, and sustainability.
Real-time data transfer isn’t always mandatory—but when it is, it’s mission-critical. Mobilis S.A. shared how their buoys support vital decision-making processes in various operational contexts:
Without reliable connectivity, data may arrive too late, or not at all—undermining both safety and scientific integrity.
Mobilis S.A. chose POYNTING OMNI-493 and OMNI-402 antennas to ensure consistent, high-quality connectivity. The collaboration began when POYNTING met Mobilis S.A. as neighbours at a maritime event. Mobilis described an issue they were experiencing with a data buoy in French Polynesia, located 21 km offshore. The buoy had limited access to high-frequency cellular bands, resulting in intermittent connectivity.
After conducting RF research into the buoy’s location, surrounding cell towers, and network availability, POYNTING and its French partner, EBDS Wireless & Antennas, recommended the OMNI-402 antenna. The result? 100% connectivity uptime—even reaching higher 4G bands (1800/2100 MHz) previously unavailable to them.
Building on this trust, POYNTING together with EBDS Wireless & Antennas helped Mobilis S.A. standardise their connectivity solutions for their different types of buoys.
Live buoy data can be viewed here: Planier Lighthouse Buoy DB8000 – Mobilis S.A.
A quote from our CEO sums it up:
"The antenna with the best specs is probably not the greatest!"
Often, antenna “gain” is misunderstood or misused in product comparisons. While gain matters, what matters more is the direction of that gain. In maritime environments, the omni-directionality of an antenna is critical.
POYNTING Antennas are engineered with highly consistent 360° radiation patterns, providing reliable connectivity regardless of the buoy’s orientation relative to the cell tower. This is particularly important because buoys are affected by the motion of waves and can pitch or roll significantly.
High-gain antennas often have narrow vertical beamwidths. As the buoy moves, these narrow beams may shoot over or under the cell tower, leading to signal loss. That’s why POYNTING does not design maritime antennas with gain over 9 dBi—ensuring stability in rough conditions.
POYNTING’s marine antennas are also built for durability: IP68-rated, UV-resistant, and saltwater-proof—ideal for extreme offshore environments.
Here are the measured Azimuth and Elevation radiation patterns of the OMNI-493 antenna at 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz. The Azimuth patterns are nearly perfectly round, which is exactly what you want in an omni-directional antenna — ensuring consistent, 360° horizontal coverage. In the Elevation patterns, you’ll notice vertical aperture arrows that indicate the -3 dB beamwidth. These arrows show the angular range where the radiated power stays within 3 dB of the antenna’s peak gain, helping to visualise its vertical signal distribution.
If you’d like to see radiation patterns across all the frequency bands this antenna supports, take a look at our datasheet. It includes full measured results – not simulations – providing a more accurate representation of real-world antenna performance.
The collaboration between POYNTING, EBDS Wireless & Antennas, and Mobilis S.A. delivered more than just improved connectivity—it enabled mission-critical operations at sea. The results spoke for themselves:
This trusted partnership was built on hands-on problem-solving and deep technical expertise. Mobilis S.A. emphasised that reliable connectivity isn’t just about performance—it’s about enabling informed decisions that support marine operations, safety, and sustainability. Today, POYNTING antennas form a key part of their standard connectivity solutions for data buoys worldwide.
“Thanks to POYNTING and EBDS, we no longer have to worry about downtime. The antennas have made our buoy systems more dependable than ever.” – Mobilis S.A.