Faced with a growing need for reliable connections to shore and increased control over variable and increasingly expensive communications costs, M. H. Simonsen ApS, of Denmark, recently adopted the TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband(SM) service from KVH Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:KVHI) as its primary communications solution on six ice class oil/chemical tankers.
Communications capabilities are also important factors in strengthening the competitive position for commercial shipping companies through the Ship Inspection Report Programme (SIRE), which tracks safety and quality in the shipping industry and helps fleets with high scores to secure the most lucrative contracts. Simonsen is performing very well in several important SIRE ranking categories, thanks to mini-VSAT Broadband.
The mini-VSAT Broadband service, along with the KVH TracPhone V7 antenna, comprise the first end-to-end 26-inch VSAT hardware, service, and support package available for maritime communications and offers Voice over IP phone service and Internet access as fast as 512 Kbps (upload) and 2 Mbps (download) at fixed monthly rates. The compact TracPhone V7, which is 75% lighter and 85% smaller by volume than traditional 1-meter VSAT antennas, brings a blend of the economy and speed of VSAT communications with lower costs and easier installation, making the system exceptionally well suited for commercial oil and gas, shipping, and government vessels.
(www.minivsat.com)