KVH Industries Inc. announced a new distribution agreement with Furuno Electric Co. Ltd. for KVH’s mini-VSAT broadband service.
Under the terms of the arrangement, Furuno will begin to market and sell mini-VSAT broadband airtime service and supporting equipment, along with a compatible 1-meter antenna system, on a global basis through its established distributor and dealer channels.
“We are very pleased to begin this collaboration with Furuno and expand the reach of the powerful mini-VSAT broadband service to mariners around the globe,” said Brent C. Bruun, KVH vice president of satellite sales and business development. “Furuno is a leader in the maritime electronics industry and this agreement is the latest evidence of the rapidly growing recognition in the maritime industry that mini-VSAT broadband, the fastest growing maritime VSAT network, is also a superior satellite communications solution for commercial operators and leisure boaters around the globe.”
Speaking on behalf of Furuno, Kazuma Waimatsu, director of the marine electric products division, said, “We look forward to working with KVH to bring the mini-VSAT broadband service to our customers so that they will be able to enjoy the benefits of its seamless global network, broadband connections and affordable airtime. Vessel operators, their crews and their passengers are faced with a growing need for reliable and affordable broadband communications. The mini-VSAT broadband service is the solution to that need and we are pleased to add it to Furuno’s global sales effort.”
The mini-VSAT broadband network is delivered by 12 satellite transponders and nine secure earth stations and offers voice service and Internet access as fast as 512 Kbps (upload) and 2 Mbps (download).
