KVH Broadband Service in Australia & NZ
KVH Industries (Nasdaq: KVHI) announced the activation of its mini-VSAT Broadband service in Australian and New Zealand waters following the successful completion of satellite testing. The new coverage area is the first significant expansion of the mini-VSAT Broadband service in the southern hemisphere. Together with the recent addition of coverage in Asia-Pacific waters, it significantly expands the capacity of the mini-VSAT Broadband network to support both leisure boaters as well as the vital commercial shipping markets in the region.
Coast Guard Launches Nationwide AIS Satellite
The U.S. Coast Guard announced the launch of an ORBCOMM concept demonstration satellite, equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) capability, from . The satellite attained a proper orbit and is expected to start transmitting operational data within the next three months. The U.S. Coast Guard Nationwide Automatic Identification System (NAIS) Project sponsored equipment on the satellite to test the feasibility and effectiveness of AIS message reception and reporting from space for ship tracking and other navigational activities. The launch marks an important milestone in the development of the NAIS project. The NAIS project will improve maritime domain awareness for the U.S.