KVH and Microsoft to Bring Broadband Connectivity and MSN TV Service to Mobile Customers
05 January 2006 - 11:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
KVH to Create Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV Service for
Internet Access on the Move in Cars, Boats and RVs LAS VEGAS, Jan.
5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) and KVH
Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:KVHI), today announced an agreement to
bring the MSN(R) TV service to consumers traveling in cars, trucks,
RVs and boats throughout the United States. KVH's Mobile Internet
Receiver with MSN TV service, a customized version of the MSN TV 2
Internet & Media Player, will provide in-motion access to Web
browsing, Microsoft(R) Windows Media(R) Player, MSN Mail and MSN
Messenger, digital photo viewing, MSN Video, and MSN Radio with
two-way connections made possible by broadband EVDO cellular
services. The result will be the first in-motion product to offer
consumers easy-to-use, high-speed Internet access on the television
screens already installed in cars and other vehicles today. KVH's
Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service will also include
Wi-Fi output to provide Internet connectivity to a wide range of
Wi-Fi-enabled products. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO ) "Today's
consumers expect to be able to stay connected while they're on the
go in their vehicles," said Sam Klepper, general manager for the
MSN TV division at Microsoft. "With the availability of MSN TV
service on KVH's Mobile Internet Receiver, consumers will now be
able to communicate, access information, and enjoy digital
entertainment wherever their travels may take them." "There is
clearly a demand for mobile access to live media ranging from
satellite TV to broadband Internet," said Martin Kits van
Heyningen, KVH's president and chief executive officer. "With more
than 20 million automobiles expected to be equipped with video
screens by 2011 and color TVs as standard equipment aboard boats
and RVs for many years, these screens provide an excellent platform
not only for live satellite TV and gaming, but also for an
integrated Internet solution. KVH looks forward to working with
Microsoft on the Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV service that
will leverage these screens and MSN TV technology to offer
consumers an affordable, reliable source of two-way, in-motion
Internet access." Consumers will be able to enjoy in-motion
connections to a variety of MSN communication, information and
entertainment services. The high-speed connection, offered by an
EVDO (Evolution Data Optimized) data modem that KVH is integrating
into the Mobile Internet Receiver, will leverage existing broadband
data services offered by several major cellular companies. EVDO
service is available in more than 170 markets nationwide, with new
markets being added on an ongoing basis. Connection speeds for EVDO
service are similar to residential DSL broadband service, with a
maximum speed of 2.4 Mbps and typical speeds of 400 Kbps to 700
Kbps. When EVDO is unavailable, the system will automatically
switch to standard 1xRTT data service, which is available in most
cellular coverage areas. 1xRTT has a maximum upload and download
speed of 144 Kbps, and typical speeds of 50 Kbps to 80 Kbps. By
using EVDO services for connectivity along with built-in Wi-Fi
output, the vehicle or vessel is turned into a "mobile hot spot."
Passengers will be able to connect to other Internet services using
Wi-Fi-enabled laptop computers, PDAs and other devices using an
Internet browser, e-mail application or instant messaging tool.
Demonstration units of the Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV
service are on display in multiple KVH vehicles at the 2006
International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The
hardware and service are expected to be available for purchase in
mid-2006. Pricing for the Mobile Internet Receiver with MSN TV
service will be announced at a later date. About MSN TV Based in
Mountain View, Calif., MSN TV is a product group within Microsoft's
MSN division that develops easy-to-use technology services for
people to get connected and stay connected to the people around
them. By connecting to a television and existing phone line or
broadband connection, MSN TV service subscribers can surf the Web,
send and receive e-mail, create instant messages, view digital
photos and enjoy streaming media using world-class MSN services
such as MSN Messenger and MSN Search. Formerly WebTV, MSN TV
service was acquired by Microsoft in 1997 and renamed in July 2001
to better reflect the natural synergies between the WebTV(R)
service and the vast array of Microsoft and MSN resources. In
October 2004, MSN TV unveiled the MSN TV 2 Internet & Media
Player. More information on MSN TV and the MSN TV service offerings
can be found at http://www.msntv.com/ . About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 440 million unique users worldwide per
month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and
21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling
programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising
opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live(TM), a new set
of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring
together in one place all the relationships, information and
interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security
features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live
will be offered alongside each other as complementary services.
Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1,
2005; these and future beta updates can be found at
http://ideas.live.com/ . MSN is located on the Web at
http://www.msn.com/ . MSN worldwide sites are located at
http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx . About KVH Industries, Inc.
Middletown, RI-based KVH Industries, Inc., is a leading provider of
in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, having designed,
manufactured, and sold nearly 100,000 mobile satellite antennas for
applications on boats, RVs, trucks, buses and automobiles. Winner
of the prestigious General Motors Innovative Design Award, CES
Innovation Award, and a finalist for the Automotive News PACE
Award, KVH's mission is to connect mobile customers with the same
digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet
services that they enjoy in their home and offices. Complete
information about KVH's mobile satellite TV, communications, and
Internet systems is available at http://www.kvh.com/ . About
Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses
realize their full potential. This release may contain certain
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements include, for example, the functionality,
characteristics, quality and performance of the proposed products
and technology; anticipated innovation and product development; and
customer preferences, requirements and expectations. The actual
results could differ. Factors that may cause such differences
include, among others, the degree of consumer acceptance of mobile
Internet services, as well as those risk factors discussed in the
parties' most recent quarterly reports filed with the SEC. The
parties assume no obligation to update their forward-looking
statements to reflect new information or developments. NOTE:
Microsoft, MSN, Windows Media, WebTV and Windows Live are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the
United States and/or other countries. KVH is a trademark of KVH
Industries in the United States and/or other countries. The names
of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Microsoft Corp. CONTACT:
Chris Watson of KVH Industries, +1-401-845-8138, or ; or Jeff
Rutherford of Trylon Communications, +1-413-369-4128, or , for MSN
TV Web site: http://www.msntv.com/ Web site: http://www.kvh.com/
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
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