Thrane & Thrane and KVH form global VSAT alliance

27 January 2009

Thrane & Thrane, the world leading Inmarsat terminal manufacturer has signed a global distribution agreement with KVH Industries, Inc for KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband(sm) service and compatible marine hardware. The agreement builds on the longstanding successful collaboration between the two satcom innovators and will lead to a faster roll-out to global coverage based on a SAILORCitroen branded version of the KVH TracPhoneCitroen V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband service.

The new SAILOR branded VSAT solution, based on KVH’s proven antenna and relying on KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband service, will become the SAILOR VSAT offering: “By using the KVH mini-VSAT Broadband solution in combination with our SAILOR FleetBroadband and backed up by our extensive worldwide distribution and service network, Thrane & Thrane and KVH will become an integral force in setting the new standard for global VSAT service,” comments Walther Thygesen, CEO, Thrane & Thrane. “With KVH as a partner, the new SAILOR VSAT will be the ideal solution for the commercial user.”

“We are thrilled to expand our decade-long relationship with Thrane & Thrane and bring them aboard as an OEM partner,” explained Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our aim when we launched the mini-VSAT Broadband service was to create a new global solution for affordable, reliable mobile broadband connections via Ku-band satellites. The addition of Thrane & Thrane’s worldwide reach and credibility as one of the world’s premier mobile satellite communications companies is invaluable to our efforts to expand the use of the mini-VSAT Broadband service in the commercial maritime market.”

Mariners currently enjoy access to uninterrupted Ku-band Internet and voice services via mini-VSAT Broadband from the Asian coast eastward throughout North America and the Caribbean, across the North Atlantic, and all the way through Mediterranean waters with additional coverage around the globe expected to go live in the coming year under the auspices of a joint effort by KVH and communications leader ViaSat.