In the latest stage of its ongoing expansion of the global
mini-VSAT Broadbandsm network, KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI)
has more than doubled the network's capacity in the Brazilian and
African regions. The ongoing global network upgrade involves
deployment of Variable Coding, Spreading, and Modulation (VCSM)
technology provided by ViaSat, Inc., (Nasdaq:VSAT), KVH's partner
in the mini-VSAT Broadband network. This is the third major
capacity increase in less than five months, following upgrades in
the Caribbean and EMEA regions in late 2012.
"Brazil and Africa are key regions for our customer base, as
they are important for both the shipping and oil and gas
industries," explains Brent Bruun, executive vice president of
KVH's mobile broadband group. "The new VCSM technology enables us
to handle transmissions much more efficiently, increasing the
amount of data that our network can carry, which is important for
both safety and business operations onboard. Thanks to our unique,
end-to-end design, we can upgrade the software for our large base
of fielded TracPhone® V-series systems over the air. This is a
future-proof solution that we will continue to improve, adding new
features and network enhancements that provide tangible benefits to
mini-VSAT Broadband subscribers."
Since launching the mini-VSAT Broadband network in 2007, KVH has
become the #1 provider of maritime VSAT service. KVH's service
differs from competing maritime VSAT services in its use of spread
spectrum technology, which enables the use of antennas that are 85%
smaller than competing products while still providing fast, high
quality service. KVH is also the only maritime satellite service
company that designs and manufactures the onboard terminals, owns
the Earth station equipment, leases the satellite capacity, manages
the network, and provides round-the-clock global after-sale support
for a total end-to-end solution. Smaller antennas and fully
integrated belowdecks equipment are generally less costly and
faster and easier to install, offering significant savings to
companies deploying broadband technology to a fleet of vessels.
KVH's business model is another key part of the company's growth
strategy. Rather than investing in its own satellites, the company
leverages the readily available commercial FSS satellite capacity
covering the world's oceans, provided by industry leaders like
Intelsat, Eutelsat, SES, and SkyPerfect JSAT. Currently, the
mini-VSAT Broadband network uses 17 leased transponders to cover
the globe with a unique hybrid network including both C-band and
Ku-band coverage. KVH's unique 1 meter, dual-mode TracPhone V11
antenna, the world's only global 1 meter maritime VSAT solution,
seamlessly switches among C- and Ku-band frequencies as easily as
the 60 cm TracPhone V7-IP antennas and 37 cm TracPhone V3 antennas
switch among Ku-band satellites. As KVH's customer base grows, the
company plans to lease additional capacity covering exactly the
areas of the world where it is needed.
"Brazil's importance as an oil and gas producing region is
increasing rapidly, and the global shipping industry is in dire
need of reliable communications throughout the African region to
help combat piracy and ensure the safety of crew members," said Mr.
Bruun. "KVH's solution provides outstanding communications for all
of these mariners, with downloads as fast as 4 Mbps and uploads as
fast as 1 Mbps, as well as crystal clear Voice over IP (VoIP)
telephone lines with optimized service and prioritization of
applications. Expanding network capacity in these regions is the
most recent illustration of our commitment to delivering services
that mariners need, when and where they need them, in the most
convenient way possible."
With more than 3,000 onboard terminals sold, mini-VSAT Broadband
service is the world's fastest growing, most popular maritime VSAT
solution, according to three independent industry research reports
published in 2012 by Euroconsult, NSR, and Comsys.
Visit www.minivsat.com/one for complete details about the global
mini-VSAT Broadband network and award-winning TracPhone V-series
antennas.
Note to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of KVH's
TracPhone V-series systems and mini-VSAT Broadband coverage maps,
are available at http://press.kvh.com for download and editorial
use.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
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 all 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,
Japan, and Singapore.
This 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's services and
technology; anticipated innovation and product development; and
customer demand, preferences, requirements and expectations. The
actual results could differ materially. 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;
future decisions about the expected profitability of the service;
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 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.
CONTACT: Nicole Mongillo
KVH Industries, Inc.
401-845-2443
nmongillo@kvh.com
KVH Industries (NASDAQ:KVHI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
KVH Industries (NASDAQ:KVHI)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024