[SatNews] Crews aboard maritime research support vessels have a difficult job — providing security and mission management services to their fleets in waters around the globe.

To make that job a little easier, and help crew members stay in touch with family and friends, companies such as Storm Offshore AS are deploying the TracPhone® V7 satellite communications solution from KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI). Storm Offshore crew members use the reliable, affordable mini-VSAT Broadband(sm) service to communicate with the home office, file required paperwork in international ports, and stay in touch with loved ones back home.

The mini-VSAT Broadband network was designed from the ground up to be the first next-generation maritime satellite communications solution. The global spread spectrum satellite network, built with ViaSat's patented ArcLight® technology, offers more affordable airtime, voice service and Internet access as fast as 512 Kbps (ship to shore) and 2 Mbps (shore to ship). More than 1,000 TracPhone V7 systems have been shipped in the three years since the product's introduction, making the mini-VSAT Broadband network the fastest growing maritime VSAT solution. The company recently expanded its product offering with the new TracPhone V3, the world's smallest maritime VSAT system at only 14.5 inches in diameter.