Iridium Communications Inc., a source of innovative and rich solutions for markets that require global communication, and KVH Industries (News - Alert), Inc., a provider of in-motion satellite TV and communication systems, recently signed an agreement to offer the first-ever, fully global, seamless broadband satellite communications service for the maritime market.

KVH will combine its mini-VSAT Broadband service with the Iridium (News - Alert) OpenPort broadband service to come up with an integrated shipboard system that provides seamless broadband connectivity to maritime industry. The system will use common below-deck user interface equipment for voice and data connections, combining the Iridium OpenPort and KVH TracPhone V3 or V7 terminals.

“We are enthusiastic that KVH is our first distribution partner to launch Iridium’s new VSAT companion service offering,” said Greg Ewert (News - Alert), executive vice president of global distribution channels, Iridium. “We have optimized the Iridium OpenPort system to seamlessly integrate with a vessel’s VSAT platform.  The VSAT/Iridium solution eliminates the coverage gaps, data-rate limitations and comparatively high prices of other L-band mobile satellite service providers.”

To provide seamless broadband connectivity, the system can easily switch to either mini-VSAT Broadband service or the Iridium OpenPort service, depending upon the availability. If one of the services is not available, the system switches to the other one without any user intervention.

“KVH already has the largest Ku band VSAT global coverage offering, and the addition of Iridium now adds even remote regions such as the polar areas,” said Brent Bruun, KVH senior vice president of global sales and business development. “The integrated system offers our customers an unbeatable combination of reliable, affordable broadband shipboard communications and seamless global connectivity.  The lightweight, compact antenna units bring the benefits of low-cost broadband communications to both private yachts and fishing vessels as small as 30 ft (9 m) as well as large, ocean-going merchant ships.”

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Rahul Arora is a TMCnet contributor. He has worked as an editor and freelance writer for several reputed organizations in India. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell