05.08.08
Lease program makes adding KVH TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband service
convenient and cost-effective for commercial maritime operations
MIDDLETOWN, R.I., May 8 -- Shipping and offshore
oil and gas operators need ever-increasing bandwidth both for enterprise
operations as well as for crew morale and welfare. With its smaller size,
broadband data rates, Voice over IP (VoIP) phone connections, and
substantially lower hardware and airtime service costs, the new TracPhone®
V7 from KVH Industries (Nasdaq: KVHI) is an outstanding solution for
commercial communications. Recognizing the growing interest from commercial
maritime operators and their unique operational needs, KVH announced today the
launch of a new leasing program for the TracPhone V7. With a 36-month lease
and an extended 36-month warranty, commercial TracPhone V7 owners will now be
able to treat the TracPhone V7 as an operating expense at very reasonable
interest rates.
"Shipping and offshore operators are realizing that crew morale and
retention are necessary expenditures in an extremely competitive market," said Ian Palmer, KVH's executive vice president for satellite sales. "However,
existing satellite communication services and hardware are either too
expensive to support crew needs or these solutions need to be limited to
communications critical to shipboard operation. With the compact TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband service, however, KVH offers commercial and industrial vessels an innovative and powerful satellite communications technology that
brings significant advantages in size, data speed, and airtime costs. And with
our new lease program, adding a TracPhone V7 becomes even easier for ship
owners and fleet operators, whether they are looking for a stand-alone system
or a complement to an existing service."
The TracPhone V7, a rugged, 24" (60 cm) antenna, delivers mini-VSAT
Broadband service with data rates as fast as 2 Mbps shore-to-ship and 512 Kbps
ship-to-shore. A fraction of the size of standard 1-meter VSAT systems, the
TracPhone V7 (and its fully integrated below-decks modem and control unit)
offers easy connections to shipboard networks, fully stabilized tracking, and
a significant reduction in hardware and installation costs, without
compromising performance. This advanced solution equips vessels with the
capability to easily send and receive manifests, access company networks,
download chart updates, and use the enhanced VoIP telephone service to help
crew members stay in touch with their loved ones. Any customer leasing a
TracPhone V7 can also bundle any of KVH's Inmarsat-compatible TracPhones or
TracVision(R) satellite TV systems into the lease for a comprehensive
communications and entertainment solution.
KVH's breadth of products and services is an advantage for the company's
customers, explained Palmer. "Our ability to offer a comprehensive package of
satellite communications and satellite TV hardware and services along with a
global dealer network is a tremendous plus to commercial customers. Our
commercial-grade TracVision systems and the benefits for real-time news and
crew entertainment are very appealing."
Visit http://www.minivsat.com for more information on the TracPhone V7.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
Middletown, RI-based KVH Industries, Inc., is a leading provider of
in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, having designed,
manufactured, and sold more than 150,000 mobile satellite antennas for
applications on boats, RVs, trucks, buses, and automobiles. Winner of the
prestigious General Motors Innovative Design Award, 2 CES Innovation Awards,
23 National Marine Electronics Association "Best Product" awards, the DAME
Award in the Marine Electronics category, and a finalist for the Automotive
News PACE Award, KVH's mission is to connect mobile customers with the same
digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet services that
they enjoy in their home and offices.
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 Form 10-K filed with the SEC. KVH assumes
no obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect new
information or developments.
KVH, TracVision, and TracPhone are registered trademarks of KVH
Industries, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
companies.