Satellite Technology Feature Article
May 06, 2009
KVH Debuts TracPhone FB150 Maritime Satellite Communications System
By Nathesh, TMCnet Contributor
KVH has unveiled the TracPhone FB150 maritime satellite communications system to offer a small and cost effective broadband Internet communication at sea. The solution is part of the Inmarsat FleetBroadband-compatible TracPhone systems product line and can be fitted into boats as small as 40 feet.
Middletown, Rhode Island-based KVH Industries, and its wholly owned subsidiary, KVH Europe A/S, are providers of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems.
The FB150 is 10.5” in diameter and 12” in height and is the smallest antenna in its product line and through the Inmarsat (News - Alert) FleetBoradBand network it can offer up to 150 Kbps of IP Data connections and simultaneous voice and SMS service.
Inmarsat’s FleetBroadband is claimed to be the first maritime communications service to provide cost-effective broadband data and voice, simultaneously, through a compact antenna on a global basis.
KVH claims that by making use of the newly commissioned Inmarsat I4 satellite constellation, the series of satellites for the most advanced commercial mobile communications TracPhone FB150 can provide many years of reliable service to vessel owners around the globe.
Mariners who own smaller vessels can opt for this new product without any doubts in their minds as the solution is purported to offer them with high quality, basic communication system with hardware and airtime rates that fit their budgets.
Brent Bruun, KVH's vice president of sales and business development, said that this system offers mariners Inmarsat's dependable, global broadband voice and data coverage and long-term network dependability as well as KVH's industry-leading quality and support, creating the best, most affordable Inmarsat FleetBroadband-compatible solution available for vessels this size.
If mariners needed to switch easily between multiple TracPhone satellite communications systems, KVH also offers an optional Service Selector. This simple solution allows mariners enjoy the benefits of both the mini-VSAT Broadband and Inmarsat services when users need them.
KVH has stated that by combining broadband capabilities with compact hardware and offering those at affordable prices their solutions help equip vessels with a complete mobile communications solution with secure voice and data connections on the move.
Nathesh is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Nathesh's articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Tim Gray
