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Communications Antenna News

05 Jul 2022

Maritime Communications: Easier, Faster, Cheaper

(Photo: David Clark Company)

In November 2021, GTMaritime published a white paper: “Maritime Communications - A look over the horizon.” The report, available here, is built around three broad Sections – 1. “Basics of marine Communications;” 2. “The connected ship;” and 3. “Special services.”Then, each Section presents a closer look at various topics. The “Basics” section, for example, covers regulatory issues established by IMO treaties and national agencies. It presents the terms and concepts that define satellite systems and networks…

23 Sep 2021

KVH Provides Global VSAT Connectivity to A.M. Nomikos Vessels and Crew

KVH Industries, Inc., announced that Greek shipmanager A.M. Nomikos has chosen KVH AgilePlans to provide VSAT connectivity for crew welfare and vessel operations. Nova Electronics, KVH’s service partner in Greece, has installed TracPhone V7-HTS antennas on three Nomikos vessels to date and is expected to continue the rollout of KVH’s AgilePlans service on additional vessels within the fleet in the coming months.“Crew welfare is very important to our company, and we expect the fast data speeds of the KVH systems and the reliable HTS network will be a great benefit to our seafarers and our shipping operations,” said Yiannis Sofianidis, IT Director for A.M. Nomikos.

31 Jul 2019

KVH Joins SMN for Tech Initiative

Maritime innovator KVH has announced it has joined the Smart Maritime Network (SMN) as one of the founding members of the initiative dedicated to supporting collaboration and standardization in the development of IT systems for the shipping sector. As a founding member, KVH will participate in Smart Maritime Council meetings with a select group of maritime technology developers, systems integrators, and vessel operators to discuss issues relating to the compatibility, standardization…

31 Oct 2018

FLIBS: KVH Introduces TracPhone V3-HTS

Photo: KVH

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI),  unveiled the TracPhone V3-HTS at the Fort Lauderdale (FL) International Boat Show. Measuring just 37 cm (14.5 inches) diameter and weighing 11 kg (25 lbs.), the TracPhone V3-HTS is smaller in physical size than any other Ku-band marine satellite communications antenna on the market and is designed to provide faster data speeds (5 Mbps download/2 Mbps upload) than larger marine satellite antennas.The TracPhone V3-HTS’s fast data speeds, combined with its diminutive size…

25 Jul 2018

Transpetro Selects KVH VSAT for 45 Tankers

TracPhone V7-HTS (Image: KVH)

Connectivity solutions provider KVH Industries, Inc. announced that Brazilian oil and gas transport company Transpetro has chosen KVH VSAT connectivity for the majority of its tanker fleet. Transpetro, which provides transportation for the Brazil's state-owned oil and gas company Petrobras, chose KVH’s TracPhone V7-HTS satellite communications antenna system with a five-year airtime contract for 45 tankers, including a combination of newbuilds and existing vessels. The installations will take place throughout the next 12 months in Brazil…

23 Jul 2018

KVH Ships 8,000th Mini-VSAT System

(Image: KVH)

KVH Industries, Inc. announced that it recently shipped its 8,000th mini-VSAT Broadbandsm system. The TracPhone V-series satellite communications antenna systems utilize advanced satellite technology, including the latest high throughput satellites (HTS), to meet the growing demand for more onboard broadband connectivity.“Our newest HTS systems are in high demand throughout the maritime industry, and build on the strength and reputation of our entire product line,” said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s chief executive officer.

19 Jun 2018

Nordic Hamburg Inks Connectivity Deal with KVH

(Image: KVH)

KVH Industries, Inc. announced today that global ship manager Nordic Hamburg has chosen KVH’s new advanced TracPhone V7-HTS antenna equipment and the AgilePlans subscription-based Connectivity as a Service (CaaS) program to bring fast, global connectivity to its vessels. Installations for 13 vessels have been completed, with plans for an additional 12 through 2018.“The AgilePlans program provides the highest flexibility for our fleet and we were also attracted to KVH’s global coverage…

30 May 2017

KVH Introduces YOURlink

Photo courtesy of KVH

KVH Industries, Inc. has announced that it is introducing KVH YOURlink, a content delivery service that fleet managers and owners can use to distribute company-produced videos to all vessels in their fleet. The company will be presenting the new service at Nor-Shipping in Lillestrom, Norway, this week. A new addition to KVH’s IP-MobileCast content delivery service, YOURlink takes a process that once required weeks or months of shipping time and the cost of distributing DVDs or flash drives, and makes it nearly instantaneous.

30 Mar 2017

KVH Ships 7,000th mini-VSAT Broadband System

KVH Industries, Inc. has shipped more than 7,000 mini-VSAT Broadbandsm systems, designed and manufactured by KVH to provide mobile connectivity at sea. The TracPhone V-series satellite communications antenna systems are currently in use on everything from small recreational sailboats cruising the coastline to 1,000-foot commercial freighters transiting the world’s oceans. KVH launched the mini-VSAT Broadband service in July 2007, and has seen the popularity of the service grow, coinciding with an overall trend in the maritime industry toward increased reliance on broadband connectivity. As recently as September 2016, industry analyst Northern Sky Research reported that KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband customers account for 29 percent of the vessels using Ku-band service.

12 Sep 2016

Major Commercial Fleets Commit to New KVH Broadband Airtime Plans

MIDDLETOWN, RI – September 12, 2016 – KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), is driving a sea change in the way that global maritime fleets are using broadband at sea. The company’s usage-based airtime plans now represent a majority of users on KVH’s global satellite network, mini-VSAT Broadbands, which continues to be the market share leader in maritime VSAT. In recent months, many of KVH’s largest and most important fleet customers have chosen usage-based plans—including Open plans, the newest set of usage-based airtime plans offered by KVH.  BW, one of the world’s leading global maritime groups, reached agreement with KVH to switch from an unlimited airtime plan to KVH’s Open plans for several LNG and LPG vessels that have TracPhone V11-IP systems onboard.

27 Jul 2016

KVH's Zika Virus Safety Video for Mariners

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced today that it is offering Videotel’s new safety and training video about the Zika virus free to all mariners worldwide. The goal of the program is to increase awareness  of the vitally important prevention measures that can keep seafarers and their colleagues and families safe. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus a public health emergency earlier this year. Given the global nature of the maritime industry, it is imperative that seafarers take precautions to prevent further spread of the disease. The prevalence of the Zika virus in such areas as Brazil has heightened concerns with the approaching Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next month.

26 Apr 2016

KVH Dominates Global Maritime VSAT Market

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI), announced that as of the end of 2015, it had shipped more than 6,000 TracPhone® satellite communications antenna systems for the mini-VSAT Broadbandsm network. This milestone reaffirms the company’s top market share position in the maritime VSAT industry by vessels in service, a benchmark noted in the COMSYS Maritime VSAT Report, 4th Edition, March 2015. The company also announced that it recently expanded the capacity on its global mini-VSAT Broadband network, which provides essential connectivity to vessels around the world. “Our solution has been widely adopted because it brings simplicity and value to ship owners and operators…

04 Feb 2016

Videotel, Safebridge JV for Onboard ECDIS Certification

Videotel, a provider of e-Learning maritime training solutions and a company of KVH Industries, has joined forces with online maritime training business Safebridge GmbH, which specializes in ECDIS training, to provide shipping companies with the unique ability to certify their seafarers on ECDIS type-specific training while serving onboard. More than 30 ECDIS type-specific training courses will be available, which is the most comprehensive offering in the industry. Companies using the Videotel On Demand (VOD) system will have access to this leading-edge certification route. The agreement will enable a trainee onboard to select and log onto the VOD system and access the relevant Safebridge courses.

23 Dec 2015

KVH Expands mini-VSAT Broadband Network

Image: KVH

KVH Industries, Inc. expanded the capacity of its mini-VSAT Broadband network with two upgrades recently, supporting growing customer demand for broadband at sea. One expansion added a new satellite beam that doubled the mini-VSAT Broadband network capacity in the North Atlantic Ocean region, including Canada’s Hudson Bay. The second expansion added a new beam across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to add 30 percent more capacity across areas such as the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

18 Nov 2015

KVH Debuts mini-VSAT Broadband 2.0

Martin Kits van Heyningen (Photo: KVH)

At London International Shipping Week held in September, KVH Industries, Inc. introduced the second generation of its mini-VSAT Broadband solution for the maritime market, providing a combination of data delivered at high speeds and at low price points, with vessel operational and crew entertainment/informational content, tools, and support, optimizing broadband effectiveness in serving the needs of seafarers. Tom Mulligan reports. Based in Middletown, RI, KVH Industries is a provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems…

03 Feb 2015

Enhanced VoIP Service for Mini-VSAT Broadband Network

Photo courtesy: KVH I

KVH Industries, Inc., (KVHI) has rolled out a new dedicated voice configuration for its mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) global maritime satellite network. The network's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is now delivered on a prioritized and protected data stream, separate from the network's overall broadband data traffic. VoIP service is also prioritized onboard the vessel for quality VoIP service even during times of heaviest broadband data use. By prioritizing phone service…

21 Oct 2014

NMEA Awards Top Electronic Makers

Marine electronics experts named 11 products in nine categories as winners of the 2014 NMEA Product Awards. Once again, Furuno USA was named Manufacturer of the Year--Support. The winners were announced at the National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) International Marine Electronics Conference & Expo, held October 8-11 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott in Fort Myers, Florida. Category winners are chosen by regional panels of NMEA members from around the country, hand picked by the NMEA Awards Committee for their extensive knowledge of marine electronics to create a level playing field for all product and manufacturer support nominations. "We want to congratulate all of the award recipients," said NMEA Managing Director Mark Reedenauer.

25 Feb 2013

Thales Wins Contracts for Astute Class Boats

Photo: Thales UK

Thales UK was awarded contracts to supply the Sonar 2076 fully-integrated search and attack submarine sonar system for the UK Royal Navy’s sixth and seventh Astute Class submarines. Thales will supply the sonar system to BAE Systems Maritime - Submarines, the prime contractor for the Astute Class build, to be fitted to the submarines at its shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness. The complete sonar system supplied by Thales will comprise both inboard and outboard of the bow, fin, intercept and flank arrays, and the associated inboard processing.

11 Apr 2013

Intellian to Debut V100GX VSAT Antenna

Photo: Intellian

The new Intellian v100GX 3-Axis Ku-Band VSAT communications antenna will be unveiled at Norshipping 2013. The technically advanced antenna is fully prepared for the upcoming Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band broadband service from Inmarsat, and can be upgraded to the service with minimal technical intervention. The 1m v100GX incorporates a superb dual-band, carbon fiber reflector and tuned radome for consistent service, whether operating on the existing Ku- band, or converting to Ka- band when available next year.

08 Sep 2014

KVH, Transas Team Up for Electronic Charts Update

KVH Industries, Inc., and Transas announced today a strategic relationship designed to ensure vessels at sea receive affordable, timely updates of mandatory electronic chart data. The CHARTlink channel of KVH’s IP-MobileCast content delivery service will support delivery of chart and other data updates from Transas, a producer of electronic chart display and information systems (ECDIS) and a leading provider of electronic navigation charts (ENC) and data services. This is the first of many steps envisioned by Transas for delivery of value-added data for shipboard use with the IP-MobileCast service. International maritime regulations mandate the use of ECDIS for commercial and passenger vessels.

10 Sep 2014

MN 100: KVH Industries, Inc.

KVH Industries is a manufacturer of solutions that provide global high-speed Internet, television, and voice services via satellite to mobile users at sea and on land. These solutions include the mini-VSAT Broadband network, TracPhone satellite communications antenna systems, and TracVision satellite television antenna systems. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and Tinley Park, IL. KVH’s mission is to connect in-motion customers…

24 Sep 2012

Intellian Debuts New VSAT Antenna

Intellian showed  itsnew v110GX 3-Axis Ku-band VSAT communications antenna at SMM 2012. Prepared for the upcoming Global Express (GX) Ka-band broadband service from Inmarsat, the 1m Intellian v110GX incorporates a dual-band, carbon fibre reflector and tuned radome for consistent service, whether operating on either Ku- or Ka- band. The high-gain precision carbon fiber reflector is designed to provide optimum performance on either Ku- or Ka- band. When converting the system the antenna reflector does not need to be changed and the RF section is mounted on a single modular chassis enabling quick conversion to Ka-Band operation without any system re-balancing. The new radome has been developed to ensure efficient operation on both bands and minimise signal loss of the radome itself.

09 Apr 2014

KVH will bring FIFA to Mariners

KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) has come to an agreement with IMG Media to distribute video content of the 2014 FIFA World Cup ™ to merchant ships. KVH will deliver coverage of the month-long tournament, which takes place in Brazil this summer, via KVH’s satellite network to merchant maritime customers, with the exception of passenger vessels, cruise ships, and ferries. “Knowing how many football fans there are among the world’s seafarers, we are thrilled to be able to provide coverage of the world's greatest sporting event,” says Mark Woodhead, managing director of KVH Media Group. “Life onboard a ship often isolates seafarers from their friends and family and their lives onshore.