Mini-VSAT Broadband Service for Workboat Fleet Management

Boatracs becomes KVH Value Added Service Provider for KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband solution for work boat, fishing boat, fleet management

KVH Industries, Inc., has named Boatracs Inc., a leader in integrated maritime satellite communications and software solutions, the first Value Added Service Provider (VASP) for its mini-VSAT Broadband service.

This collaboration will deliver an end-to-end fleet management package for the commercial workboat and fishing markets, bringing Boatracs' market leading software applications to vessels via a reliable broadband connection in a single package. Sold under the name "Boatracs Broadband Fleet Management Solution", this innovative package includes a KVH TracPhone® V3 and mini-VSAT Broadbandsm service for global broadband connectivity as well as Boatracs maritime software platforms, Boatracs BTConnect® and Boatracs BTForms™.

"We are very excited to integrate KVH's industry-leading mini-VSAT Broadband service with Boatracs software for our customer base," said Irwin Rodrigues, President and CEO of Boatracs. "We work with small to medium operators in the offshore, coastal and inland waterways, as well as commercial fishing vessels. These companies want voice and data services for crew welfare, increased compliance and greater productivity, as well as a powerful fleet management solution to track, message and operate their vessels efficiently. The Boatracs Broadband Fleet Management Solution provides a complete, reliable, and affordable way to meet these needs."

The TracPhone V3 is the world's smallest maritime VSAT antenna, designed for vessels as small as 30 feet. With airtime rates 1/10th the cost of L-band systems, the TracPhone V3 offers downloads as fast as 2 Mbps at $0.99 per MB and phone calls worldwide at only $0.49 per minute. The TracPhone V3's small size, fast data rates, and affordable service have brought the power of satellite communications within reach for commercial vessels.