In an effort to meet the nearly insatiable demand from all kinds of boaters for faster, more reliable onboard connectivity that includes the kind of content streaming that people can do on land, KVH has introduced TracNet Coastal and TracNet Coastal Pro 5G/Wi-Fi terminals and cellular data plans.
TracNet Coastal uses KVH Fusion eSIM technology to create a high-performance, single-cable, marine-grade cellular/Wi-Fi option with connectivity in 135 countries. TracNet Coastal can serve as a standalone hybrid communication system or be coupled with VSAT and low earth orbit (LEO) services, such as Starlink.
“TracNet Coastal delivers cellular speeds as fast as 300 Mbps down, and data costs as low as $1 per gigabyte,” Chad Impey, KVH’s senior vice president of sales and global support, stated in a press release. “In addition, TracNet Coastal’s high-gain Wi-Fi bridge in the antenna enables vessels to benefit from the speed and often zero cost of Wi-Fi in port or the marina. As a result, TracNet Coastal is an easy upgrade or backup to current onboard LEO solutions and a powerful standalone alternative.”
TracNet Coastal has intelligent hybrid switching. That means boaters can save data with the system automatically switching to a marina’s Wi-Fi network when the vessel is in port. TracNet Coastal can also integrate with Starlink, OneWeb, the KVH One global HTS network and other systems, using the TracNet Coastal Pro Hub or KVH CommBox Edge Communications Gateway.
The DC-powered marinized TracNet Coastal system comes with a single cable and optional mounting brackets, with the idea of making installation quick and straightforward for boaters and shipyards.
TracNet Coastal Pro is a more advanced system that has extra features to support standalone use and operate as the hybrid hub for additional Wide Area Networks.
“TracNet Coastal and TracNet Coastal Pro offer powerful solutions for marinas and coastal waters,” Impey stated in the release. “They are designed for those looking to enhance their current connectivity solutions or to upgrade to a faster, more reliable experience on coastal waters and in port.”
How long has KVH Industries been in the maritime and mobile connectivity business? The company was founded in 1982. Today, it’s one of the best-known brands in the world for marine connectivity, with more than a dozen offices around the globe. KVH offers products for commercial maritime, leisure marine, military and government, and land mobile applications on vessels and vehicles.
Where to learn more: head over to kvh.com
