Iridium Communications Inc. and KVH Industries, Inc. have announced an agreement to offer the first-ever fully global, seamless broadband satellite communications service for the maritime market. Under the agreement, KVH will offer a package that combines its mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service and the Iridium OpenPort® broadband service.
The integrated shipboard system will use common below-deck user interface equipment for voice and data connections, combining the Iridium OpenPort and KVH TracPhone® V3 or V7 terminals. KVH’s CommBox™ shipboard network management tool automatically selects the mini-VSAT Broadband service or the Iridium OpenPort service using intelligent least-cost routing software. If mini-VSAT Broadband service is ever unavailable, the system immediately switches over to the Iridium OpenPort service without operator intervention. The Iridium OpenPort connection can also serve as a means to access the mini-VSAT Broadband terminal remotely as well as other shipboard maintenance and calibration equipment.
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