KVH Expands mini-VSAT Broadband Network Capacity in Key Areas of Global Maritime Activity
"The commercial maritime industry is increasingly reliant on broadband services to improve operational efficiency," says Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH chief executive officer. "Data and connectivity enable ship owners to accomplish many goals, from reduced fuel consumption through voyage planning to increased safety through updated training programs delivered to crew while they are onboard. We are continually monitoring and improving the mini-VSAT Broadband network to ensure our maritime customers have the critical connectivity they need at all times onboard their vessels."
KVH's recent capacity expansions for the mini-VSAT Broadband network include:
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Asia-Pacific : The capacity of a key satellite beam for theAsia-Pacific region was increased 60%, providing support for commercial shipping and offshore oil and gas activities in the area. -
Pacific Northwest : A new beam covering thePacific Northwest was added, providing support for the many commercial fishing fleets located in this area. -
Eastern Canada and U.S. coast: A new beam was added to more than double the network capacity for the eastern coast ofCanada andthe United States , a key area for commercial shipping, fishing, and yacht chartering.
KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network is the dominant player in the global maritime VSAT market, with twice the market share of its closest competitor, according to recent industry reports by
KVH has built this global infrastructure by leasing available commercial satellite capacity, rather than investing in its own satellites. The results are lower costs and better prices for customers. Designed exclusively for the mini-VSAT Broadband network, KVH's unique TracPhone® V-IP satellite communications antenna systems are built 85% smaller than typical VSAT antennas to install more easily in all vessels. Antenna sizes range from the 37 cm (14.5 inch) diameter TracPhone V3-IP, to the 60 cm (24 inch) diameter TracPhone V7-IP, and the 1.1 meter (42.5 inch) diameter TracPhone V11-IP. The company recently shipped its 5,000th TracPhone system for the mini-VSAT Broadband service.
The capacity expansions also support KVH's IP-MobileCastTM content delivery service. This multicasting service uses the mini-VSAT Broadband network to deliver a separate data stream of news, sports, entertainment, and training content – improving quality of life for crew members onboard commercial vessels – as well as operational data such as electronic chart updates and weather information.
Note to Editors: For more information about the mini-VSAT Broadband service, please visit KVH's website, www.minivsat.com/vip. High-resolution images of KVH products are available at the
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This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding the timing and occurrence of new service rollout plans, the functionality, characteristics, quality, and performance of KVH services and technology; and customer demand, preferences, requirements, and expectations. The actual results we achieve could differ materially from the statements made in this press release. Factors that might cause these differences include, but are not limited to: potential unanticipated technical or legal impediments that could delay or impede new service rollout plans or expected strategic relationships; the need to increase sales of the TracPhone V-IP series products and related services to improve airtime gross margins; the impact of extended economic weakness on the sale and use of marine vessels, particularly in
KVH, TracPhone, IP-MobileCast, and Videotel are trademarks of
CONTACT:Jill Connors Media & Communications ManagerKVH Industries, Inc. 401-851-3824 jconnors@kvh.com