MIDDLETOWN, RI — The world’s fastest growing maritime VSAT service, mini-VSAT Broadbandsm, is now even more affordable for commercial and leisure vessels seeking to remain connected at sea via broadband Internet and voice service. Today’s introduction of several new airtime rate plans from KVH Industries, Inc., includes a TracPhone® V7 hardware and mini-VSAT Broadband airtime bundle for only $995 per month as well as a new seasonal rate plan for subscribers who don’t use their vessel on a year-round basis.
“In less than three years, the mini-VSAT Broadband service has become the fastest growing maritime VSAT network with almost 1,000 TracPhone V7 systems shipped,” says Brent C. Bruun, KVH’s vice president of satellite sales and business development. “These new airtime rate plans, together with our compact, commercial-grade TracPhone V7, make it even more affordable for vessels operating regionally or globally to be equipped with true VSAT performance.”
In contrast to KVH’s existing fixed-rate, speed-based plans, the new metered rate options permit commercial and leisure boaters to choose a service plan based on how much data they expect to use per month while getting the benefit of the fastest available network speeds at all times. The new metered pricing options also include a limited-time lease and airtime bundle that makes the TracPhone V7 hardware, mini-VSAT Broadband service, GlobalCare premium support program, and 100 MB of monthly data available for only $995 per month.
“Choosing a metered plan can make the airtime even more affordable, especially when combined with our popular hardware lease program,” Bruun explains. “For example, our $995 bundle is ideal for mariners preparing to upgrade from older, more expensive, and less capable services like Inmarsat B and Fleet, giving crew and passengers access to data rates up to four times faster than FleetBroadband as well as more than five times the monthly data capacity you would receive in comparable Inmarsat hardware and service bundles.”
KVH is also adding the flexibility of seasonal fixed-rate packages that will allow boaters to enjoy mini-VSAT Broadband on a seasonal basis for as little as three months of the year.
“We recognize that not every vessel operates year-round. That’s why we’re rolling out our new seasonal plans. Whether you’re a commercial fisherman with a limited working season or a yacht owner who will only be cruising during the summer, our new seasonal fixed-rate options will permit crew and passengers to get the full benefit of the mini-VSAT Broadband service when the boat is in use while minimizing the costs during the off-season,” concludes Bruun.
The mini-VSAT Broadband network was designed from the ground up to be the first next-generation maritime satellite communications solution. Offering service and performance superior to traditional maritime VSAT services through a global spread spectrum satellite network, it also includes the commercial-grade KVH TracPhone V7, the first FCC-approved 24-inch (60 cm) VSAT antenna. The seamless worldwide network is delivered by 11 satellite transponders and 8 secure earth stations and offers voice service and Internet access as fast as 512 Kbps (upload) and 2 Mbps (download) with significant cost savings compared to competing services. For more information http://www.kvh.com/minivsat
