This milestone reaffirmed the company’s top market share position in the maritime VSAT industry by vessels in service, as noted in the COMSYS Maritime VSAT Report, 4th Edition, March, 2015.
KVH also announced that it recently expanded the capacity on its global mini-VSAT Broadband network.“Our solution has been widely adopted because it brings simplicity and value to shipowners and operators, fleet IT managers, operations professionals, officers, and captains operating in a highly competitive global environment,” said Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH’s CEO. “When we entered the market in 2007, our goal was to win a leadership position through market disruption, changing the way mariners thought about satellite communications by offering a complete solution encompassing small, simple, easy-to-install equipment, fast data speeds, and cost-effective airtime.”
Since that early market introduction, the company has reached an average of nearly 1,000 systems per year for five consecutive years, 2011-2015. In 2012, the mini-VSAT Broadband service became the maritime VSAT market share leader according to leading market research reports, a position that has been repeatedly re-confirmed in report updates, the company said.
To provide the most robust coverage possible, the company continually monitors and upgrades its mini-VSAT Broadband service, and recently expanded its network via an additional Ku-band service beam that provides Pacific Northwest US coverage.
“Operating our own network provides us with unique opportunities to offer creative solutions to our customers’ problems,” said van Heyningen. “Already, more ships rely on KVH’s mini-VSAT Broadband network than the next two maritime VSAT providers combined, and our growing customer base and satellite capacity are testimony to our forward thinking approach to technology and services.”
Meanwhile, subsidiary KVH Media Group has signed an agreement with Thome Ship Management to provide 41vessels with the patented MOVIElinkT service.
Thome Ship Management will initially roll out the MOVIElink service to product tankers and LPG carriers.
“Thome Group is committed to ensuring our seafarers have an excellent work environment, and crew welfare services are a key part of that mission. We see the MOVIElink service as an ideal way to keep crew morale and welfare at a high level,” said Claes Eek Thorstensen, president of the Thome Group. “And, more satisfied seafarers’ loyalty contributes to lower costs for recruitment, training, and retention.”
“We are delighted to work with Thome, who are at the forefront of providing effective tools to combat crew morale issues,” said Rob Parkin, sales director at KVH Media Group. “Additionally, Thome fully understand the issues relating to licensing and are keen to ensure that they offer their crew a fully licensed, great quality and cost-effective service.”