Multinational Naval Coalitions Relying on KVH TracPhone V7 for Counter-Piracy Operations
May 31 2011 - 7:30AM
Commercial ships are the most cost effective and fastest means of
transporting goods globally but pirate activity is a significant
threat that costs the world economy between $7 and $12 billion
annually according to a recent estimate by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO). The Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a
coalition of 22 nations led by the United States, is now engaged in
efforts to promote security and stability in response to the
growing threat of piracy across approximately 2.5 million square
miles of international waters in and around the Arabian Sea.
However, executing effective strategies against piracy, terrorism,
and other criminal activities at sea requires a common satellite
communications system on coalition vessels that can deliver high
performance at low cost, handle heavy data needs, and be deployed
easily. The global mini-VSAT BroadbandSM network and the TracPhone®
V7 antenna from KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) were chosen to
meet these critical operational needs.
KVH is offering a new paper, "Meeting the Critical
Communications Challenges of the Multinational Counter-Piracy
Coalition: The Case for KVH TracPhone V7 and the mini-VSAT
Broadband Global SATCOM Network", which examines CMF counter-piracy
operations and what makes KVH's solution an effective tool for
coalition forces. Please visit www.kvh.com/whitepapers to download
this free resource.
Initially, coalition vessels were equipped with Inmarsat L-band
systems. While Inmarsat's small antennas, straightforward
configuration, and coverage throughout the operational area were
beneficial, the high cost of Inmarsat data and its high
latency became prohibitive given the high data volume required
by the Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange
System (CENTRIXS), which is often encrypted and used by
multinational task forces. Further, the forces in the operations
are constantly changing. Various countries assign vessels,
aircraft, and personnel to the task force, so it is necessary to
use SATCOM systems that are simple to install and operate while
delivering reliably high performance at a low cost. KVH's 24" (60
cm) TracPhone V7 antenna can be installed by two people
in half day even while the vessel is underway, easily meeting
the task forces' hardware needs, and the global mini-VSAT Broadband
network offers reliable data and voice services at rates 1/10th the
cost of Inmarsat.
"It is an emergency situation each time a vessel is captured by
pirates, off the coast of Somalia or elsewhere," explains Dan
Conway, KVH's vice president for business development. "The
mini-VSAT Broadband network offers seamless global coverage so that
U.S. and allied forces can communicate and determine the most
effective way to rescue mariners in danger, as well as intercept
and apprehend the pirates. We are pleased to support these efforts
to ensure the safety of commercial crews and leisure boaters.
Communications alone will not end the issue of modern piracy, but
it is an invaluable tool for supporting the mission."
Today, TracPhone V7 systems are also installed on high-value oil
and gas terminals in the Arabian Gulf and on U.S. Navy and
coalition vessels participating in the Combined Maritime Forces.
The units are available to be deployed as needed in the Gulf of
Aden, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. These systems have
already been successfully deployed on vessels of the navies of
Thailand, Pakistan, the United States, South Korea, and Bahrain,
among others. They were chosen in part due to the U.S. Coast
Guard's successful use of the TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT
Broadband.
The mini-VSAT Broadband network is 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). KVH's compact family of mini-VSAT
Broadband-compatible TracPhone antennas are more affordable and
faster and easier to install than competing solutions, and can be
remotely disabled for security should the need arise. More than
1,000 TracPhone V7 systems were shipped in the first three years
after the product's introduction, making the mini-VSAT Broadband
network the fastest growing maritime VSAT solution.
Note to Editors: High-resolution, press-ready images of KVH's
TracPhone V7 are available at http://press.kvh.com for download and
editorial use.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries, Inc., and its subsidiaries are leading providers
of in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, having
designed, manufactured, and sold more than 150,000 mobile satellite
antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. KVH's
mission is to connect mobile customers around the globe with the
same digital television entertainment, communications, and Internet
services that they enjoy in their homes and offices. The company is
based in Middletown, RI, with facilities in Illinois, Denmark,
Norway, and Singapore.
This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements
include, for example, the functionality, characteristics, quality
and performance of KVH's products and technology; and customer
preferences, requirements and expectations. The actual results
could differ materially. Factors that may cause such differences
include, among others, those discussed in KVH's most recent Form
10-Q filed with the SEC. KVH does not assume any obligation to
update its forward-looking statements to reflect new information or
developments.
KVH and TracPhone are registered trademarks of KVH Industries,
Inc. "mini-VSAT Broadband" is a service mark of KVH Industries,
Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
companies.
CONTACT: Chris Watson
KVH Industries
401-845-8138
cwatson@kvh.com
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