KVH Announces Alliance with Station 12 for Global Satellite Communication
Using KVH's Affordable Inmarsat Tracphone
PR Newswire, Thursday, February 13, 1997 at 11:40
MIAMI, Feb. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- KVH Industries, Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) is
introducing its worldwide marine Tracphone communication system via an
international marketing agreement with satellite telecommunications giant,
Station 12.
Under the agreement, Station 12 will provide joint marketing and sales of
KVH's worldwide marine satellite phone system, the Inmarsat Tracphone, along
with Station 12's global satellite service. This agreement enables customers
to get total turnkey support from the combined marketing and hardware effort.
"We're extremely excited about working with Station 12," said Martin Kits
van Heyningen, chief executive officer and president of KVH, the leading
manufacturer of satellite communications and navigation equipment. "For our
customers and distributors, this agreement gives them the type of hardware and
air-time solution they have been asking for. For KVH, it represents a
significant partnership, helping us increase our revenue-generating
opportunities through the sharing of air-time revenues."
Station 12 echoed the need for the partnership. "There is a considerable
need for truly effective phone and other communications on smaller boats and
yachts," said Hank van der Put, managing director of Station 12. "This
partnership brings our technological capabilities and global service to the
marketing strengths and reputation that KVH has in the maritime business. The
U.S. is a critically important market and we believe that the benefits of the
Tracphone are the best options available to sailors and small boat owners."
Tracphone and Station 12 Operate Using Inmarsat's Most Powerful Satellites
KVH's Tracphone and the Station 12 service work with the latest generation of
Inmarsat satellites, the Inmarsat-3 constellation of high-powered, worldwide
satellites. This constellation of four satellites, positioned above the
equator are 20 times stronger than Inmarsat's first generation of satellites.
These high-powered spacecraft enable the use of small, inexpensive equipment
and service rates. Currently two of the four Inmarsat-3 satellites are in
orbit, covering 80 percent of the world's ocean surface.
The Tracphone is about one half the size and one third the price of
traditional global marine Inmarsat M satellite systems. Specifically, the
Tracphone's antenna measures 19 inches in diameter. The weight of the
Inmarsat Tracphone antenna and radome is 30 pounds, a fraction of the weight
of standard Inmarsat M satellite antennas. The suggested retail price of the
Inmarsat Tracphone is $8,995.
Moreover, marine satellite service rates are considerably lower. The
phone service via Inmarsat-3 satellites costs about $3 per minute versus the
$5 and $10 per minute rates of other Inmarsat services, such as Inmarsat M and
Inmarsat A.
Station 12, a member of the publicly held KPN Group of the Netherlands, is
one of the world's leading providers of satellite communications. Station 12
was the first supplier to offer global coverage for voice, data and fax with
the Inmarsat A, B and M systems. Today Station 12 is the first company to
offer complete, worldwide coverage for all Inmarsat services, including C and
D and boasts 1996 revenues of over $200 million.
Tracphone Stays Pointed at Inmarsat-3 Satellites Regardless of Sea State
The Inmarsat Tracphone is specifically engineered for the marine environment.
It contains internal rate gyro sensors that keep the antenna continually
pointed at the satellite even when the vessel is pitching, rolling and turning
up to a 45-degree pitch and roll range.
Background on KVH Industries
KVH Industries produces digital navigation systems and mobile satellite
communications products for use in commercial, military and marine
applications. Based on advanced sensor technology, KVH products precisely
measure the direction and orientation of moving platforms, including vessels,
vehicles and aircraft. KVH's stabilized satellite antennas are key enablers
linking mobile users to the most demanding high gain, high bandwidth
geostationary satellite applications and emerging digital satellite links
operating at high transmission frequencies (Ka band). As bandwidth demands
increase, KVH is uniquely positioned to address these requirements via mobile
satellite links for voice, fax, video and high-speed Internet access.
Founded in 1982, KVH is a public company traded in the NASDAQ National
Market under the symbol KVHI. For further information, please contact KVH
Industries or visit our web site at www.kvh.com.
SOURCE KVH Industries, Inc.
-0- 02/13/97
/CONTACT: Sandy Oxx at KVH, 401-847-3327 or info@kvh.com or
kvh.com
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