MIDDLETOWN, R.I., Feb. 3, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq:KVHI) has rolled out a new dedicated voice configuration for its mini-VSAT Broadbandsm global maritime satellite network to ensure customers always experience high-quality phone calls. The network's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is now delivered on a prioritized and protected data stream, separate from the network's overall broadband data traffic. VoIP service is also prioritized onboard the vessel for quality VoIP service even during times of heaviest broadband data use.
By prioritizing phone service, this enhancement is designed to maintain the crystal-clear sound quality of mini-VSAT Broadband's VoIP service while also addressing the challenge that ship owners face in meeting increased onboard data usage. Maritime operators rely on broadband connectivity for everything from accessing email to utilizing web-based applications for better voyage planning, fuel optimization, and remote systems monitoring. At the same time, vessels experience demand for VoIP services around the clock by crew and officers, given the 24/7/365 nature of commercial vessel operations.
"With this enhancement, mini-VSAT Broadband users enjoy extremely high-quality VoIP service even during heavy data network use," says Marc Edwards, KVH's network operations director. "We rolled out this updated configuration to all service beams on the network, and the feedback indicates the quality of our voice service to be exceptionally good."
VoIP, which utilizes an Internet connection to transmit voice signals, is the primary method for vessels to conduct phone calls from sea. The mini-VSAT Broadband network utilizes spread spectrum technology, which enables low latency and contention, both factors contributing to the high voice quality of KVH's VoIP service. A telephony measurement known as mean opinion score (MOS) quantifies the voice quality of phone transmissions on a 1-to-5 scale, with 5 as best. A score of 3.4 is considered good for a satellite phone call, yet mini-VSAT Broadband VoIP calls measure up to 3.75, which is the same as a land-based VoIP call. In addition, KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network uses 32 kbps for the dedicated voice channel, which is much higher than typical satellite phones.
The mini-VSAT Broadband network provides broadband connectivity to commercial vessels and recreational yachts around the world, and is the market share leader in maritime VSAT, according to a 2014 report by industry analyst Euroconsult. KVH also designs and manufactures the TracPhone® V-IP series of satellite communications antenna systems for use with the mini-VSAT Broadband network.
Note to Editors: For more information about KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network, please visit the KVH website, www.minivsat.com/vip. High-resolution images of KVH products and coverage maps are available at the KVH Press Room Image Library, www.kvh.com/press-room/image-library.
About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries is a leading provider of in-motion satellite TV and communications systems, having designed, manufactured, and sold more than 175,000 mobile satellite antennas for applications on vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. KVH is also a leading news, music, and entertainment content provider to many industries including maritime, retail, and leisure. VideotelTM, a KVH company, is a leading provider of maritime training. KVH is based in Middletown, RI, with research, development, and manufacturing operations in Middletown, RI, and Tinley Park, IL. The company's global presence includes offices in Belgium, Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. For example, forward-looking statements include statements regarding the timing and occurrence of new service rollout plans; the functionality, characteristics, quality, and performance of KVH services and technology; and customer demand, preferences, requirements, and expectations. The actual results we achieve could differ materially from the statements made in this press release. Factors that might cause these differences include, but are not limited to: potential unanticipated technical or legal impediments that could delay or impede new service rollout plans or expected strategic relationships; the need to increase sales of the TracPhone V-IP series products and related services to improve airtime gross margins; the impact of extended economic weakness on the sale and use of marine vessels, particularly in Europe and Asia; the need for, or delays in, qualification of products to customer or regulatory standards; unanticipated declines or changes in customer demand, due to competitive, economic, seasonal, and other factors, particularly with respect to the TracPhone V-IP series products and the mini-VSAT Broadband service; KVH's dependence on the availability of third-party satellites and services to support transmissions to mobile antennas; unanticipated expenses associated with the launch of the IP-MobileCastTM service; and unanticipated increase in media costs or loss of distribution rights. These and other factors are discussed in more detail in our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. We do not assume any obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect new information and developments.
KVH, TracPhone, Videotel, and IP-MobileCast are trademarks of KVH Industries, Inc. mini-VSAT Broadband is a service mark of KVH Industries, Inc.