KVH Introduces Ultra-compact Ku-band Marine VSAT Antenna

KVH Industries (NASDAQ:KVHI) released a new ultra-compact Ku-band marine VSAT antenna, TracPhone V3-HTS capable of faster data speeds than larger marine satellite antennas.

The company said that TrackPhone can make internet connectivity and streaming available aboard smaller powerboats and sailboats which typically lack space for larger satellite antennas.

As quoted in the press release:

KVH designed and engineered the TracPhone V3-HTS specifically for KVH’s mini-VSAT BroadbandSM HTS network. This advanced maritime network offers unmatched speed and coverage using new next-generation high-throughput satellites (HTS) from Intelsat’s global network with additional satellite capacity from SKY Perfect JSAT, all of which is fully integrated under the IntelsatOne Flex for Maritime platform. KVH is the maritime VSAT market share leader by fielded units, according to an independent industry report by Euroconsult.

“KVH’s HTS network changes the game for communications on boats,” says Todd Tally, general manager of Atlantic Marine Electronics, a leading marine systems installer based in Fort Lauderdale. “Incredibly fast, robust, and reliable, this service and the TracPhone HTS antennas allow our customers to enjoy Internet connections, streaming movies and TV, voice calls, video chats, and more.”

The TracPhone V3-HTS is the second HTS antenna design from KVH, which introduced the 60 cm diameter Ku-band TracPhone V7-HTS last year. During the development of both antennas, KVH worked closely with satellite operator Intelsat, which recently upgraded its IntelsatOne Flex platform to support smaller antennas, in anticipation of the release of KVH’s 37 cm terminal. IntelsatOne Flex is a managed service that offers multi-layered global coverage by leveraging Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellites (HTS) and select wide beams. The TracPhone V3-HTS is manufactured by KVH at its headquarters in Middletown, Rhode Island.

“Ensuring that boaters and mariners around the world can experience the benefits of connectivity at sea has been a driving force for KVH for many years, and the new TracPhone V3-HTS makes that possible for more types of boats than ever before,” says Brent Bruun, KVH’s chief operating officer. “KVH streamlines the entire process of getting broadband on the boat by offering monthly airtime and value-added services to create an end-to-end solution unmatched by other marine VSAT providers.”

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