Broadband Satellite Communications Service News

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) and KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) have agreed to offer what the pair is touting as the first-ever, fully global, seamless broadband satellite communications service for the maritime market. Under the agreement, KVH will offer an integrated service package that combines its mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service and the Iridium OpenPort broadband service. “We are enthusiastic that KVH is our first distribution partner to launch Iridium’s new VSAT companion service offering,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, global distribution channels, Iridium. “We have optimized the Iridium OpenPort system to seamlessly integrate with a vessel’s VSAT platform.

KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ:KVHI) reported financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009. Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $26.3 million, up 24% from the quarter ended December 31, 2008. Net income for the period was $1.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. During the same period last year the company reported net income of $0.3 million or $0.02 per diluted share. For the year ended December 31, 2009, revenue was $89.1 million, up 8% compared to $82.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. KVH reported a net loss of $0.1 million or $0.01 per share for 2009. During the same period last year, the company reported net income of $3.1 million or $0.21 per diluted share.

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted permanent “Earth Station onboard – Vessel” or ESV license authority for KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications service. This authority officially approves the spread spectrum mini-VSAT Broadband service and 24-inch diameter TracPhone V7 antenna as meeting the FCC’s new regulations for broadband maritime services. Prior to receiving this permanent license, the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband service has operated in U.S. waters under an FCC Special Temporary Authority (STA) since September 2007, while also supporting mariners worldwide.

Broadband Internet and telephone service is now available to vessels crossing the Pacific Ocean due to the rollout of the new Pacific Ocean Region for the mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications service from KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI). The new coverage area, which includes Alaska, the west coasts of Canada and the United States, Hawaii, and extends into Asia, is part of the KVH and ViaSat (Nasdaq: VSAT) joint effort to provide affordable mobile Ku-band broadband connections around the globe. As a result, vessels now have access to uninterrupted Ku-band Internet and voice services from the Asian coast eastward throughout North America and the Caribbean, across the North Atlantic, and all the way through Mediterranean waters.