MIDDLETOWN, RI — Already the world’s fastest growing maritime VSAT network, mini-VSAT Broadband sm from KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI ) took another major step ahead of the competition with today’s announcement that KVH and partner ViaSat Inc., (Nasdaq: VSAT ) are rolling out enhancements to the global spread spectrum network that double the maximum uplink speeds and offer significant improvements in the industry’s best network reliability. Along with this dramatic increase in data speed, network users will also benefit from powerful new adaptive return link technology, which enables KVH’s TracPhone ® V7 and V3 systems to adjust system operations automatically to suit changing conditions, including adverse weather, and ensure that subscribers enjoy uninterrupted connections, extended network coverage, and the fastest speeds available at all times.
“This latest global upgrade makes the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband service the fastest and most reliable VSAT service in the maritime industry, with data rates of 2 Mbps shore to ship and 1 Mbps ship to shore,” explains Martin Kits van Heyningen , KVH’s chief executive officer. “Coupled with our recent completion of our global coverage and the introduction of our new TracPhone V3 with its small, 14.5-inch diameter antenna, KVH now offers maritime satellite service with the small, low cost hardware and global coverage of Inmarsat and the speed and economy of maritime VSAT. We feel our mini-VSAT Broadband network delivers the benefits of Inmarsat’s GlobalXpress service several years sooner than their projected completion date while offering service that is 4 times faster and 1/10th the cost of Inmarsat’s fastest FleetBroadband service.”
The suite of enhancements is already being rolled out across the global mini-VSAT Broadband network, which comprises 10 powerful Ku-band satellites and 14 transponders linked via hubs around the world for a seamless global network . The mini-VSAT Broadband network currently delivers approximately 100 terabytes of data and connects more than 1.5 million phone calls per year. With the recent shipment of the 1,500th TracPhone system for use with the network, mini-VSAT Broadband is now the world’s fastest growing and largest maritime Ku-band VSAT network. In addition to the 1,500 systems shipped to customers, many additional systems are currently fielded for trials.
The network uses ViaSat’s ArcLight® spread spectrum technology, which was designed specifically for mobile use. 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.
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.
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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.
