As part of its commitment to bringing reliable, fast, affordable broadband connections to mariners, KVH Industries, inc. introduced the TracPhone V3IP terminal for its mini-VSAT Broadband service. The world’s smallest maritime VSAT antenna now comes with the smallest and most integrated belowdecks equipment – KVH’s new Integrated CommBox Modem (ICM), a streamlined unit that includes an IP-enabled antenna control unit, built-in CommBox Ship/Shore Network Manager, and ArcLight spread spectrum modem with IP voice capability, Ethernet switch, and Wi-Fi connectivity. All of the TracPhone V3IP’s belowdecks equipment is built in to a single 2U enclosure. The system is on display and available to order at the Sea Asia conference and exhibition in Singapore this week.
KVH’s new TracPhone V3IP costs less, is significantly easier to install, and provides greater reliability than competing solutions that combine discrete components from a number of different manufacturers. The system’s completely integrated design offers a simple alternative to the complexity inherent in competing maritime VSAT systems, which typically require a local technician to configure a full rack of hardware from different third-party manufacturers of modems, antennas, controllers, switches, adapters, and servers. It also makes the advanced features of KVH’s best-of-breed network management solution, the CommBox Ship/Shore Network Manager, available to every TracPhone V3IP customer without an additional hardware investment. With a compact antenna dish that is just 37 cm (14.5") in diameter, the TracPhone V3IP brings sophisticated satellite communications and network management capabilities to a wide array of vessels 9 m (30 feet) and larger.
“Introducing the TracPhone V3IP is a significant development in our ongoing mission to deliver fast, affordable, reliable broadband connectivity to maritime customers,” explains Brent Bruun, executive vice president of KVH’s mobile broadband group. “The TracPhone V3IP offers a complete end-to-end solution for managing both IT functions and communications on board a variety of maritime vessels. It delivers data at up to 2 Mbps over mini-VSAT Broadband, the world’s leading maritime VSAT service. It’s similar in size to competing L-band systems, but delivers data at a far lower cost, especially for vessels that consume a relatively low amount of data each month.”
The TracPhone V3IP provides extensive functionality to help manage onboard networks both from the vessel’s computers and remotely from the ship owner’s headquarters. The system itself is very easy for the crew to operate thanks to an outstanding web browser-based user interface that can even be accessed via an optional iPhone app. The new ICM provides a full suite of onboard services optimized for satellite communications, including crystal clear VoIP calling, Internet café, crew calling, managed e-mail, secure file delivery, and remote network access.
KVH’s exclusive mini-VSAT Broadband service is delivered by an interlaced network of 14 Ku-band satellite transponders providing seamless worldwide 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 significantly more affordable connectivity than legacy L-band services. 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.
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