KVH Ships 1,500th TracPhone System for Its Global mini-VSAT Broadband Network
14 July 2011 - 9:30PM
KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) announced today that 1,500
TracPhone® systems for its mini-VSAT BroadbandSM network have been
shipped to customers. The milestone comes only three weeks after
KVH announced the completion of its original global Ku-band network
plan with the addition of South American coverage. Together, these
announcements reinforce the mini-VSAT Broadband service's position
as both the world's fastest growing and largest maritime Ku-band
network. In addition to the 1,500 systems shipped to customers,
many additional systems are currently fielded for trials.
"When we entered the maritime broadband market in 2007, our
research showed that satellite communications customers spent most
of their time figuring out how to limit their system's use and
control its high costs, not actually benefitting from their chosen
service," explained Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH's chief
executive officer. "People were frustrated with the high airtime
prices charged by Inmarsat for slow data speeds, and they weren't
happy about the size, cost, and unreliability of the available
maritime VSAT equipment. Our goal was to offer an entirely new
approach to the challenge of communications at sea with compact
hardware, reliable and affordable airtime, global coverage, and an
end-to-end solution that focused on our customers' needs."
Commenting on the latest business milestone, Mr. Kits van
Heyningen continued, "The tremendously positive response from
commercial and leisure mariners is driving the rapid, accelerating
acceptance of mini-VSAT Broadband. It took approximately two years
from the service launch to reach 500 TracPhone systems shipped,
then just over a year to reach 1,000 units, and now only nine
months to hit the 1,500 unit mark. The result is a clear message
from vessel owners and operators worldwide that mini-VSAT Broadband
is now the leading maritime VSAT solution in virtually every
maritime market sector."
A managed airtime network solution, mini-VSAT Broadband
seamlessly links 14 transponders on 10 satellites to provide
service around the globe. The resulting worldwide service equips
vessels with the highest data rates available today with downloads
as fast as 2 Mbps and uploads as fast as 512 Kbps, as well as Voice
over IP (VoIP) telephone lines with optimized service and
prioritization of applications.
The network uses ViaSat (Nasdaq:VSAT) ArcLight® spread spectrum
technology, which was designed specifically for mobile use and
previously available only for military applications. ArcLight is
unique due to its efficient reuse of satellite channels, fast
speed, low latency, and its ability to support very small antennas
that provide reliable service, even in poor weather conditions. KVH
manufactures two fully integrated onboard systems for the mini-VSAT
Broadband network – the award-winning 24" diameter TracPhone V7 and
the compact, 14.5" diameter TracPhone V3, which is the world's
smallest maritime VSAT antenna. Both systems include a versatile
below-deck control unit and ArcLight modem.
Multiple airtime plans are available, including simple metered
plans ($0.99 per MB for data and $0.49 per minute for all calls
worldwide to both landlines and mobile phones with packages
starting at less than $50 per month) and fixed monthly and seasonal
plans with even lower data and voice costs. KVH also provides
technical support 24/7/365 through its GlobalCare Center and
thousands of trained technicians serving ports around the
globe.
In addition to being the largest and fast growing maritime VSAT
network, other mini-VSAT Broadband milestones include:
- the widest geographic coverage of any Ku-band maritime VSAT
service
- the first maritime broadband service in which one company
manufactures the hardware, operates the satellite network, manages
the service, and provides after-sale support from a 24/7/365
support center connected to a global field support team
- the first FCC-approved 24" and 14.5" diameter maritime VSAT
antennas
- the first Anatel-approved 24" maritime VSAT system and service
for use in Brazil
- the first maritime VSAT hardware priced less than $17,000
(TracPhone V3)
- the first maritime VSAT service to win the Mobile Satellite
User Association's "Innovation Award" and the National Marine
Electronics Association "Industry Award" for Communications
- the largest order ever won for a maritime VSAT system (a $42
million contract from the U.S. Coast Guard for TracPhone V7 systems
to deploy on 200+ cutters)
Visit www.minivsat.com for more details about the mini-VSAT
Broadband service, the award-winning TracPhone V-series systems,
global coverage, and affordable airtime.
Note to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of KVH's
TracPhone V7 and V3 are available at http://press.kvh.com for
download and editorial use.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries are leading providers
of in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, having
designed, manufactured, and sold more than 150,000 mobile satellite
antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. KVH's
mission is to connect mobile customers around the globe with the
same digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet
services that they enjoy in their homes and offices. The company is
based in Middletown, RI, with facilities in Illinois, Denmark,
Norway, and Singapore.
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 KVH's products and technology; and customer
preferences, requirements and expectations. The actual results
could differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences
include, among others, those discussed in KVH's most recent Form
10-Q filed with the SEC. KVH does not assume any obligation to
update its forward-looking statements to reflect new information or
developments.
KVH and TracPhone are registered trademarks of KVH Industries,
Inc. "mini-VSAT Broadband" is a service mark of KVH Industries,
Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
companies.
CONTACT: Chris Watson
KVH Industries
401-845-8138
cwatson@kvh.com
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