MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Oct. 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- An advanced, 60 cm marine satellite antenna system designed to consistently deliver the fastest data speeds globally to the maritime market will be unveiled tomorrow by KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq:KVHI), at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, in Florida. The TracPhone^® V7-HTS achieves data download speeds of up to 10 Mbps, three times faster than current 60 cm models on the market, including KVH’s own system, and fast enough to enable the streaming of HD-quality content at sea. 

In addition, to further meet the demands of increased data usage at sea, KVH is offering the TracPhone V7-HTS with new hybrid airtime plans that deliver a free, lower-speed unlimited use data channel that runs at the same time as the high-speed data channel.

The faster data speeds of the TracPhone V7-HTS are accomplished by a combination of KVH’s proprietary antenna system design and industry-leading mini-VSAT Broadband^sm network, which recently began using advanced Intelsat Epic satellites for high throughput satellite (HTS) capabilities, and additional capacity from SKY Perfect JSAT satellites. With the HTS network, KVH added 25 million square miles to its global maritime Ku-band high-speed connectivity footprint.

With the combination of fast data streaming and global coverage, the TracPhone V7-HTS is poised to transform the use of broadband at sea. For the leisure market, the system is designed to enable yacht owners and their guests to enjoy HD streaming, popular social apps, and other benefits of connectivity for a new era of digital life at sea.

The captain of a 44.8-meter superyacht, who is one of the first to use the system, reports: “We just voyaged from Florida to Panama with the new TracPhone V7-HTS onboard, and enjoyed excellent speeds of 10 Mbps. This is a great service for a superyacht demanding higher data speeds than a traditional VSAT can provide,” says Bryan Antill, captain of the M/Y Surina.

For the commercial maritime market, the TracPhone V7-HTS is designed to enable merchant fleets to take advantage of cloud-based software programs, remote system monitoring, and data analytics in the pursuit of digitalization. With applications such as remote system monitoring requiring frequent data uploads, the TracPhone V7-HTS provides upload speeds of up to 3 Mbps, six times faster than KVH’s current 60 cm system.

“We are thrilled to offer the streaming fast TracPhone V7-HTS to boaters and mariners around the world, so they can experience the benefits of connectivity even while at sea. Ship managers can improve their operational efficiency by taking advantage of data-driven tools and decision-making, while yacht captains can offer guests onboard the faster connectivity they desire,” says Martin Kits van Heyningen, co-founder and chief executive officer of KVH. “We continue to bring innovative solutions to the marine market, including a network configuration able to provide high-speed data as well as unlimited use data all from the same system. What other services are offering as their airtime plans is a free value-added bonus from KVH.”

Additional features of the TracPhone V7-HTS include:

• The secure myKVH^TM mini-VSAT Manager^TM – an exclusive suite of tools that provide transparency into and control over data usage, including crew and user data allocation, real-time vessel tracking, customized text and email alerts, and management of the dual high-speed and unlimited use data channels
• Integrated CommBox^TM Modem (ICM) – streamlined all-in-one belowdecks unit featuring a browser-based user interface; iPhone^® app for system status, updates, and support; and all necessary components—from antenna control unit and high-throughput modem to Voice over IP (VoIP) adapter and integrated Wi-Fi and Ethernet switches—built into the sleek, 2U-high ICM
• IP-MobileCast^TM content-ready – fully compatible with KVH’s exclusive content delivery service, which offers news, movies, TV programs, sports events, weather data, ECDIS-compatible chart updates, and training programs
• KVH OneCare^TM – global support program including application engineering, solution deployment, and operating support around the clock
   

KVH has a history of innovation in the maritime market, and launched its mini-VSAT Broadband network in 2007 with the original TracPhone V7 antenna system, which offered a faster, more compact, and more affordable maritime VSAT system and service than any on the market at that time. Responding to customer demand in subsequent years, KVH added two more VSAT antenna systems: TracPhone V3-IP, a 37 cm, Ku-band maritime VSAT antenna introduced in 2011; and the TracPhone V11-IP, a 1 meter, C/Ku-band antenna, introduced in 2012. Earlier this year, KVH announced that it has fielded more than 7,000 maritime VSAT units.

KVH provides a complete maritime communications solution from a single source, including mini-VSAT Broadband global connectivity; TracPhone satellite communications antenna systems; IP-MobileCast content delivery services; and Videotel^TM maritime training content and management.

Note to Editors: For more information about the TracPhone V7-HTS, please visit the website, www.kvh.com/limitless. High-resolution images of KVH products are available at the KVH Press Room Image Library, http://www.kvh.com/Press-Room/Image-Library.aspx.

About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries is a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 200,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels and vehicles. KVH is also a leading news, music, and entertainment content provider to many industries including maritime, retail, and leisure. Videotel, a KVH company, is a market-leading provider of training films, computer-based training and eLearning for the maritime industry. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and Tinley Park, IL. The company’s global presence includes offices in Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the Philippines, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding expected data speeds over our new network, expected benefits to KVH customers, expected pricing of our new service and the expected level of coverage availability. Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements made in this press release. Factors that might cause these differences include, but are not limited to: unanticipated technical and other challenges that arise during the launch of the new system; potential levels of customer demand for data services beyond our current expectations, which could exceed system capabilities in certain regions; unanticipated technical, legal and regulatory delays with the launch of the new service; competition for satellite capacity, which over time could increase our costs and decrease service availability; and unanticipated expenses. These and other factors are discussed in more detail in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2017. Copies are available through our Investor Relations department and website, http://investors.kvh.com. We do not assume any obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect new information and developments.

KVH, TracPhone, myKVH, mini-VSAT Manager, CommBox, IP-MobileCast, KVH OneCare, and Videotel are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc. mini-VSAT Broadband is a service mark of KVH Industries, Inc. iPhone is a registered trademark of Apple Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

For further information, please contact:
Jill Connors
Media Relations & Industry Analyst Manager
KVH Industries, Inc.
Tel: +1 401 851 3824
jconnors@kvh.com