SINGAPORE, April 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coinciding with the introduction of its new TracPhone® V3-IP satellite communications system, KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) announces availability of an integrated service package that pairs its exclusive mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service with the Iridium OpenPort® broadband service for seamless, fully global connectivity.
The new TracPhone V3-IP will provide coverage throughout the extensive Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband global coverage offering, with Iridium OpenPort service extending that to remote regions including the polar areas. "This integrated solution offers mariners an unbeatable combination of reliable, affordable broadband, shipboard communications, and seamless global connectivity," explains Brent Bruun, executive vice president of KVH's mobile broadband group. "The lightweight, compact antenna units offer the benefits of low-cost broadband communications for vessels ranging from tugboats to tankers."
The integrated shipboard system, which combines an Iridium Pilot unit with a KVH TracPhone V3-IP terminal, provides reliable, affordable voice and data connections from pole to pole by switching seamlessly between the mini-VSAT Broadband and Iridium OpenPort services. The network management functionality in KVH's Integrated CommBox™ Modem (ICM) automatically selects mini-VSAT Broadband or Iridium OpenPort using intelligent least cost routing functionality. If mini-VSAT Broadband service is ever unavailable, the system immediately switches the onboard LAN and Wi-Fi networks to the complementary Iridium OpenPort broadband service, and back to mini-VSAT Broadband when it becomes available again, all without operator intervention.
"We are enthusiastic about the expansion of our partnership with KVH," says Bryan Hartin, Iridium's executive vice president, sales and marketing. "We recognize the market's desire for an affordable turnkey complementary component for VSAT service and have collaborated with KVH to deliver a solution that eliminates coverage gaps and offers an alternative to the high prices of competing maritime satellite networks."
KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband service is delivered by an interlaced network of 14 Ku-band satellite transponders providing seamless coverage north of the equator and around all major continents, including most major shipping routes south of the equator. By leveraging abundant new commercial satellite services covering the world's ocean regions, KVH offers very affordable broadband connectivity. As demand for the service grows, KVH can easily add new capacity to its network, exactly where it is needed, to assure outstanding performance for customers concentrated in specific regions.
The Iridium® service is delivered by a unique network of 66 cross-linked Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites circling the planet. An ideal complement for VSAT services, Iridium is the only truly global L-band service with coverage over 100 percent of the Earth's surface, including Polar waters beyond the reach of geostationary satellites.
For complete details about KVH's new TracPhone V3-IP, please visit www.kvh.com/v3ip.
Note to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of KVH's TracPhone V3-IP and the mini-VSAT Broadband coverage map are available at http://press.kvh.com for download and editorial use.
About Iridium Communications, Inc.
Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ever-expanding ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. The company has a major development program underway for its next-generation network — Iridium NEXT. Iridium Communications Inc., is headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., and its common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol IRDM. For more information about Iridium products, services and partner solutions, visit www.iridium.com.
KVH Industries, Inc., is the leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 150,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. In 2012, Euroconsult, NSR, and Comsys reported that KVH was the market share leader in global maritime VSAT. 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, Singapore, and Japan.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, for example, the service rollout plans, the functionality, characteristics, quality and performance of KVH and third-party products, services and technology. The actual results could differ materially. Factors that might 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; KVH's dependence on the availability of third-party satellites, services and equipment; and changes in the costs and capabilities of competing offerings. These and other risk factors are discussed in more detail in KVH's most recent Form 10-K annual report 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 CommBox 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.