[SatNews] Coinciding with the introduction of its new TracPhone(R) V3-IP satellite...

...communications system, KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) announces availability of an integrated service package that pairs its exclusive mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) service with the Iridium OpenPort(R) broadband service for seamless, fully global connectivity. The new TracPhone V3-IP will provide coverage throughout the extensive Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband global coverage offering, with Iridium OpenPort service extending that to remote regions including the polar areas.

"This integrated solution offers mariners an unbeatable combination of reliable, affordable broadband, shipboard communications, and seamless global connectivity," explains Brent Bruun, executive vice president of KVH's mobile broadband group. "The lightweight, compact antenna units offer the benefits of low-cost broadband communications for vessels ranging from tugboats to tankers."

The integrated shipboard system, which combines an Iridium Pilot unit with a KVH TracPhone V3-IP terminal, provides reliable, affordable voice and data connections from pole to pole by switching seamlessly between the mini-VSAT Broadband and Iridium OpenPort services. The network management functionality in KVH's Integrated CommBox(TM) Modem (ICM) automatically selects mini-VSAT Broadband or Iridium OpenPort using intelligent least cost routing functionality. If mini-VSAT Broadband service is ever unavailable, the system immediately switches the onboard LAN and Wi-Fi networks to the complementary Iridium OpenPort broadband service, and back to mini-VSAT Broadband when it becomes available again, all without operator intervention.

KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband service is delivered by an interlaced network of 14 Ku-band satellite transponders providing seamless coverage north of the equator and around all major continents, including most major shipping routes south of the equator. By leveraging abundant new commercial satellite services covering the world's ocean regions, KVH offers very affordable broadband connectivity. As demand for the service grows, KVH can easily add new capacity to its network, exactly where it is needed, to assure outstanding performance for customers concentrated in specific regions.

The Iridium(R) service is delivered by a unique network of 66 cross-linked Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites circling the planet. An ideal complement for VSAT services, Iridium is the only truly global L-band service with coverage over 100 percent of the Earth's surface, including Polar waters beyond the reach of geostationary satellites.