KVH Launches Broadband Service

KVH Industries, Inc. has introduced a new type of satellite communications service that enables small, 24-in. antennas to provide always on broadband data connections to vessels.

The new mini-VSAT Broadband service uses sophisticated spread spectrum technology to provide vessels with data reception rates as fast as 2 Mbps and data transmission rates as fast as 512 Kbps via a 24-in. KVH-developed marine terminal. The mini-VSAT broadband service is designed to be fast, always on, and available in a variety of pricing packages that offer significant cost savings for heavy data users when compared with other traditional data solutions available for commercial and leisure vessels.

To support this service, KVH, under a joint development agreement with ViaSat, developed the TracPhone V7 two-way broadband satellite terminal. The system combines KVH's antenna technology with ViaSat's ArcLight spread spectrum mobile broadband technology. KVH created the 24" diameter antenna, the smallest stabilized satellite antenna available for providing broadband data connections to vessels. TracPhone V7 is as much as 65 percent smaller and 40 percent lighter than Inmarsat Fleet F77 antennas, and 85% smaller and 75% lighter than 1-meter maritime VSAT antennas. ViaSat developed a new maritime version of its ArcLight spread spectrum modem currently used on business jets and by the military. The two companies jointly integrated these key technologies to enable the TracPhone V7 two-way broadband satellite terminal.