MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Jan. 15, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI ) is doubling the capacity for two of the three global C-band beams of its mini-VSAT Broadband sm network, further enhancing the world's most extensive C/Ku-band maritime VSAT network. The increased C-band capacity, which will take effect next month, enhances the mini-VSAT Broadband network's multimegabit service covering all major shipping routes, offshore oil fields, and commercial fishing grounds and serving marine operations and vessels around the globe. KVH plans to continue to grow the C-band capacity as needed to meet demand from its growing customer base and maritime operations applications that are increasingly reliant on broadband connectivity.
KVH first introduced C-band overlay coverage to its existing Ku-band network less than two years ago, and has seen installations of its unique dual-mode TracPhone ® V11-IP satellite communications system steadily increase. This onboard terminal uses a single, 1-meter diameter stabilized antenna with dual-band transmit and receive capability to seamlessly switch between the mini-VSAT Broadband network's global C- and Ku-band satellite coverage, providing reliable onboard network management and crucial continuity for onboard systems that rely on satellite Internet service.
"Vessels using the TracPhone V11-IP typically need C-band coverage only a small percentage of the time they are at sea, because of the extensive Ku-band capacity of the mini-VSAT Broadband network, which itself has more than doubled worldwide in the past year," explains Marc Edwards, KVH's network operations director. "This unique network architecture allows us to provide the power and speed of a modern maritime VSAT service with the global coverage typical of global L-band services like Inmarsat FleetBroadband."
The C/Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband service provides vessels travelling between 75°N and 70°S latitude with broadband data connections for accessing the Internet or shore-side business networks or for making low-cost, high-quality voice calls. In most areas, the mini-VSAT Broadband service uses powerful Ku-band transponders to provide the TracPhone V11-IP with high-speed downloads at rates up to 4 Mbps.
In addition to providing the widest coverage of any Ku-band maritime VSAT service, KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network also has wide regulatory approval that ordinary C-band maritime VSAT services are unable to provide due to regulatory restrictions that generally limit their use to 200 km offshore. For coastal and in-port use, KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network relies on Ku-band coverage, which is generally permitted. In areas outside of its Ku-band coverage and for redundant backup service, the TracPhone V11-IP automatically switches over to powerful C-band global beams. The C-band service also has a much longer wavelength than Ka-band services, providing improved resilience to rain and other adverse weather conditions.
Note to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of KVH's TracPhone V11-IP system and mini-VSAT Broadband coverage maps are available at www.kvh.com/Press-Room for download and editorial use. Visit www.minivsat.com/vip for complete details about the global mini-VSAT Broadband network, the entire TracPhone V-IP series, and the upcoming IP-MobileCast™ content delivery service.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries is a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 175,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. The KVH mini-VSAT Broadband network is the market share leader in maritime VSAT service according to leading industry research reports published in 2012 by Comsys, Euroconsult, and NSR. KVH is also a leading provider of commercially licensed news, music, and entertainment content to many industries including maritime, retail, and leisure. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, U.S.A., with offices in Illinois, Denmark, Norway, the U.K., Singapore, the Philippines, Cyprus, and Japan.
This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, for example, statements regarding the timing and occurrence of new service rollout plans, the functionality, characteristics, quality, and performance of KVH services and technology; anticipated innovation and product development; and customer demand, preferences, requirements, and expectations. The actual results could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such differences include, among others, the successful launch and deployment of new satellites; access to sufficient and uninterrupted satellite capacity to provide the service; uncertainty about the scope of customer demand; the potential inability to maintain licenses necessary for the network; risks associated with the delivery or performance of critical hardware; and changes in the costs and capabilities of competing offerings. These and other risk factors are 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, TracPhone, and IP-MobileCast are 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.
Jill Connors Media & Communications Manager KVH Industries, Inc. 401-851-3824
