KVH Industries announced that 1,500 TracPhone systems for
its mini-VSAT Broadbandnetwork 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.
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,” said Martin
Kits van Heyningen, chief executive officer, KVH.
“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,”
Heyningen added.
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 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 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.
By Telecomlead.com Team
editor@telecomlead.com
