KVH doubles capacity of maritime mini-VSAT satellite broadband network

KVH Industries, Inc. announced that it has increased the capacity of its global mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) network in Brazil and Africa by more than twice the original capacity.

The Company is currently upgrading and expanding of its global mini-VSAT broadband network using Variable Coding, Spreading, and Modulation (VCSM) technology from its partner company ViaSat, Inc. This is KVH's third major capacity increase in the last four months. It has already finished upgrading its networks in the Caribbean and EMEA regions last year.

The 2007 launch of its mini-VSAT Broadband network allowed KVH to secure the lead in the maritime VSAT service market. Its unique service leverages spread spectrum technology to deliver fast and high-quality service through antenna that are 85% smaller than rival products. The compact antenna design and fully integrated belowdecks equipment usually prove to be cheaper, faster, and easier to install, allow companies to save significant sums when deploying satellite broadband technology aboard their fleets.

In addition, KVH is the sole maritime satellite service company that offers a total end-to-end solution. It designs and builds its own onboard terminals, owns the Earth station equipment, leases satellite capacity, manages the VSAT network, and provides after-sale support on a 24/7 basis all around the world.

KVH leases capacity from commercial FSS maritime satellites operated by Eutelsat, Intelsat, SES, and SkyPerfect JSAT. The Company's mini-VSAT Broadband network leases 17 transponders for world coverage. The resulting unique hybrid network combines C-band and Ku-band coverage, allowing KVH products ranging from the 60cm TracPhone V7-IP antennas and 37cm TracPhone V3 antennas to the 1 meter, dual-mode TracPhone V11 maritime VSAT solution to seamlessly switch between the frequencies. The Company plans to lease additional capacity in the areas with expanding customer bases.

Orbit introduces new maritime stabilized VSAT product line

Orbit Communication Systems, a world-leading provider of satellite communication, tracking and telemetry, mission-critical solutions and communications management systems, recently introduced its new and innovative maritime stabilized VSAT product line called Ocean TRx.

The company’s new line features two products -- OceanTRx 4 and OceanTRx 7 -- both designed to improve maritime communication. OceanTRx 4 supports 1.15m stabilized maritime antenna system configurations in multiband frequencies, which include X, Ku and Ka bands, and BUC power level, and works even under environmental interferences like bumps and shocks. On the other hand, OceanTRx 7 supports 2.2m stabilized maritime antenna system configurations in the same multiband frequencies as Ocean TRx, excluding X, but in addition to C. OceanTRx 7 also cuts down shipping costs because it takes up 40 percent less desk space and weighs 30 percent less than other similar systems.

"OceanTRx series brings the maritime world into the future," Orbit CEO Ofer Greenberger said in a company statement. "Featuring a variety of configurations, frequencies and power capabilities, the platforms address a wide range of maritime markets from oil & gas to cruise, commercial shipping, and naval. As we enter the Ka-band age, OceanTRx is the ultimate solution for maritime satellite communications enabling smooth migration to future high-speed Ka services for the entire Ka range. By overhauling our mechanical chassis and electronics, leveraging our long-standing reputation for innovation together with our corporate focus on service and customer satisfaction, we are committed to making maritime communications easier and better."

Aside from the OceanTRx series, the company also produced a RailTRx VSAT product line for broadband communications of inter-city, regional and high speed trains. RailTRx supports a variety of stabilized train antenna system configurations in Ku and Ka bands, features an excellent RF performance and still operate even under environmental electromagnetic disturbances.

KVH reaches 3000 total TracPhone terminals for mini-VSAT Broadband network

KVH Industries proudly reported the successful shipment of the 3,000th TracPhone terminal that comprises its mini-VSAT Broadband network.

The Company's mini-VSAT Broadband network delivers affordable and critical offshore data connections to the crew members of a quarter of a million commercial, government, and leisure vessels. It taps fourteen Ku-band transponders to provide broadband Internet by satellite services throughout the entire northern hemisphere as well as the southern hemisphere's major continents.

KVH delivers a complete, end-to-end high-speed satellite Internet solution for offshore connectivity through the mini-VSAT Broadband network. The Company not only designs and builds the onboard TracPhone terminals and antennas, but it also owns the Earth station equipment, leases the satellite capacity, and serves as the network manager. Its terminals use satellite antenna that are 85 percent smaller than the norm thanks to spread ViaSat spectrum modem technology.

COMSYS report states that iDirect leads VSAT maritime market

The latest edition of the COMSYS Maritime VSAT Report asserted that iDirect has secured leadership of the maritime VSAT market. The Company's lead remote terminals comprise nearly half of the maritime market and the installation rate for its VSAT systems is also more than twice that of their rivals.

COMSYS further reported that iDirect’s satellite communications platform is used by 14 of the largest 20 maritime service providers. These companies also happen to be the leaders in cruise, oil and gas, and almost all other major market segments.

The report covered recent developments in the maritime VSAT services market. It ranked iDirect as the foremost leader amongst ground infrastructure providers. The Company has formed partnerships with several significant satellite operators, and is becoming the go-to platform for high-throughput services such as high-speed Internet on satellite.

COMSYS also noted that iDirect is challenging SCPC for leadership of the market for bandwidth intense applications. IDirect is offering its new X7 remote, which greatly boosts the capabilities of its Evolution system to support higher data rates.

In addition, COMSYS reported that increasing demand for additional bandwidth has caused market revenue for maritime VSAT to grow by 9 percent during 2010 and 2011. The total revenue is approaching $1 billion, and the market is expected to experience further vigorous growth over the next few years. The number of marine vessels in service is also expected to double by 2016, and more than 26,000 VSAT systems will be serving aboard that expanded fleet.

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• Etihad Airways launches Wi-Fly broadband satellite Internet service

SES, Astrium Services renew capacity deal, extend maritime VSAT coverage, services

Vessels plying their trade in Latin America, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden will be pleased with the announcement from SES and Astrium Services about renewed deals to provide satellite capacity for maritime VSAT systems in those regions.

Astrium Services has agreed to renew capacity on the SES-4 satellite. The renewed bandwidth will be used to provide managed services for maritime business communications, tracking equipment, and engine performance. It will also serve to maintain lines of communications between crewmen at sea and their loved ones at home.

The capacity of several SES satellites, including SES-4, allows Astrium to customize its satellite communications services for the specific needs of the maritime industry. For example, its new agreement with SES will allow the Company to provide reliable VSAT coverage for offshore oil and gas platforms in Brazil and East Africa.

The footprint of SES-4 spans from the Arabian Sea to the South Pacific Ocean. It also covers the Gulf of Aden, allowing it to extend connectivity to VSAT-equipped customers in areas plagued by pirates. It can provide the same connectivity to Europe-based fisheries, transportation, and recreational maritime customers.

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• BurkinaFaso using SES satellite broadband services for parliamentaryelections
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Astrium expands satellite broadband capacity on Intelsat 21, 22 mobility infrastructure

Astrium Services Business Communications and Intelsat S.A. have reached an agreement for additional satellite broadband capacity on Intelsat's mobile infrastructure.

Intelsat will expand Astrium' existing capacity by tapping the recently-upgraded Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 22 multi-band satellites. This will allow Astrium Services to offer improved satellite broadband service to transportation, cruise, and offshore consumers around the world.

WaveCall, Pharostar, and other maritime VSAT services have drawn upon the extra capacity on the Intelsat 22's mobile infrastructure to enhance coverage of the heavily-trafficked Indian Ocean. Astrium Services will also draw upon the Intelsat 21 satellite to expand Astrium's maritime VSAT service capacity in heavily-trafficked areas that need more capacity.

In order to access additional capacity on Intelsat 21 and Intelsat 22, Astrium Services will integrate its proprietary global teleport network with IntelsatOne Network Broadband, an IP/MPLS-integrated network of VSAT service platforms and teleports around the world. Together, the integrated Astrium-Intelsat systems ensure an excellent level of reliability and performance.

VSAT customers are already enjoying the new capacity and improved connectivity provided by Intelsat's recently-enhanced C- and Ku-band infrastructure. WaveCall and Pharostar have been providing support for smaller VSAT antennas. Meanwhile, Astrium Services' own commercial VSAT, which offers high data allowances and speeds that reach up to 1.5 Mbps, have been a hit with customers.

MTN VSAT will power Jetstream HD satellite TV for yacht owners, guests

An exclusive partnership betwee maritime VSAT manufacturer MTN Satellite Communications and broadcaster Jetstream has created the Jetstream HD solution for yacht customers.

MTN’s Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) connection powers Jetstream's high-definition streaming content solution. Yacht owners and guests will be able to enjoy HD content on their televisions and mobile devices.

Customers have two ways of loging into the Jetstream satellite TV platform. They can use any device with an Internet connection, such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. Or they can purchase the Jetset, an electronic box that directly delivers the Jetstream HD solution into the television. Either way, customers will be able to exploit the full functionality of their VSAT satellite receiver.

International channel providers of note that can be accessed through Jetstream HD include Kartina (Russian), Orbit (Arabic) and Direct TV (USA.)

JetStream will demonstrate its HD solution at the Monaco Yacht Show, September 19-22, 2012. JetStream’s booth will be located at QP68 - Parvis Piscine. MTN Satellite Communications will also debut its partner's new HD solution at the POP Lounge of the Black Legend Restaurant on the route de la piscine.

Introduction to VSAT systems

Before anything else, we'd like to share you this introductory video on what are VSAT systems, and how they operate. You can also read about how VSAT systems here.