KVH , in partnership with Intelsat, has launched an advanced maritime broadband network. It is a high-speed overlay to KVH’s existing mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service, and is expected to triple, or in some cases increase by a multiple of six, the data speeds that yachtsmen can have on board.
The new network uses Intelsat Epic satellite services and the IntelsatOne Flex platform. At launch, according to KVH, the system will give the company the largest maritime Ku-band network offering speeds as fast as 10 Mbps to each terminal.
Each Intelsat Epic satellite has 25 to 60 Gbps of capacity, which is expected to enhance performance for KVH subscribers.
“Intelsat has been instrumental in helping us develop the advances to our mini-VSAT Broadband service, continuing the positive working relationship we’ve had for many years,” Brent Bruun, KVH chief operating officer, stated in a press release. “We expect to provide our maritime customers with increased data speeds at the same price points as our current service, while offering unparalleled coverage on a global basis.”
Also new from KVH: TracPhone V7-HTS, a 60-cm marine satellite antenna designed to deliver the fast data speeds that will be available through the new high-speed network. According to KVH, the antenna achieves data download speeds of up to 10 Mbps, three times faster than current 60-cm models on the market, including KVH’s own system, and fast enough to enable the streaming of high-definition content at sea.
