Iridium Communications and KVH Industries announced an agreement to offer the first-ever, fully global, seamless broadband satellite communications service for the maritime market.
Under the agreement, KVH will offer an integrated service package that combines its mini-VSAT Broadband service and the Iridium OpenPortbroadband service. The combined offering will deliver the maritime industry the first seamless, truly global, broadband connectivity, helping mariners connect in ways never before thought possible.
“We are enthusiastic that KVH is our first distribution partner to launch Iridium’s new VSAT companion service offering,” said Greg Ewert, executive vice president, 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.”
The integrated shipboard 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. KVH’s CommBox shipboard network management tool automatically selects the mini-VSAT Broadband service or the Iridium OpenPort service using intelligent least-cost routing software.
If mini-VSAT Broadband service is ever unavailable, the system immediately switches over to the Iridium OpenPort service without operator intervention. The Iridium OpenPort connection can also serve as a means to access the mini-VSAT Broadband terminal remotely as well as other shipboard maintenance and calibration equipment.