MIDDLETOWN, R.I., March 4, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) today announced that Netherlands-based Vroon has chosen the KVH TracPhone® V7 and its mini-VSAT Broadbandsm network as the new satellite communication solution for the more than 125 in-house managed vessels in its fleet. The selection follows a competition involving 22 different satellite communication providers and results in a multi-year mini-VSAT Broadband service contract covering Vroon's vessels and its global operations.
Explaining the choice of KVH, Rob Frenks, Vroon's group ICT manager, says, "In today's competitive shipping market, our ships, charterers, and fleet managers require secure and reliable IT networks to support critical business processes. It is also equally important to improve crew welfare in order to attract and retain skilled seafarers. However, we realized that our existing, diverse satellite communication solutions will not meet our future business requirements. By choosing KVH, we are gaining an affordable, comprehensive solution that brings together proven hardware, a global network, and fully integrated network management and crew welfare solutions that will support our needs for years to come."
Vroon vessels will be equipped with the award-winning 60 cm TracPhone V7 antenna system, mini-VSAT Broadband service, and the KVH CommBox™ Ship/Shore Network Manager. CommBox provides a suite of network management tools ranging from web compression and acceleration and least cost routing among multiple communication services to pre-paid Internet access and remote access for Vroon's shore-based IT personnel.
Vroon crews as well as crews from contractors and third-party companies will also be able to take advantage of KVH's pre-paid crew calling system and, depending on the vessels' activities, a GSM picocell system that will enable those on board to make calls via their mobile or smartphone from virtually anywhere within the mini-VSAT Broadband coverage area. Technical service needs will be provided by KVH's exclusive GlobalCare Premium Support Program.
"The changes to maritime satellite communications over the last several years are dramatic as commercial fleets like Vroon move from basic voice and low data rate applications to more demanding business requirements that need affordable, reliable broadband solutions," observes Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH's chief executive officer. "We designed mini-VSAT Broadband to offer a unique end-to-end solution that meets these rapidly expanding communication needs. Working closely with our Dutch distributor, SAM Electronics Netherlands BV, we presented this comprehensive solution to Vroon. We are proud to be Vroon's choice for its next-generation satellite communication service and look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration."
The mini-VSAT Broadband network was designed from the ground up to be the first next-generation maritime satellite communications solution. The global spread spectrum satellite network, built with ViaSat's patented ArcLight® technology, offers more affordable airtime, voice service and Internet access as fast as 512 Kbps (ship to shore) and 2 Mbps (shore to ship). More than 1,000 TracPhone V7 systems have been shipped in the three years since the product's introduction, making the mini-VSAT Broadband network the fastest growing maritime VSAT solution.
Visit http://www.minivsat.com for complete details regarding KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network, coverage, and hardware.
Note to editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of the KVH TracPhone V7 and commercial applications are available at http://press.kvh.com for download and editorial use.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
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.
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; anticipated innovation and product development; 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 quarterly report on 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 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.