AMERICOM now provides the next generation of broadband data and voice solutions for the maritime market. A complete end-to-end solution, the Maritime Mobile Broadband (MMB) service enables telecommunications service providers to offer affordable, "always on" broadband data and voice service to boats and ships in the Americas and the Caribbean.
AMERICOM's MMB service leverages the proven reliability, performance and optimal orbital positions of several satellites in the SES fleet, currently including AMC-6 and NSS-7. The satellites operate in Ku-band for reliable and cost-effective two-way connectivity, and their orbital locations provide continuous coverage of North America, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. A new satellite under construction, AMC-21, is expected to become operational in mid-2008, and will feature a special-purpose Ku-band antenna that will deliver more powerful services to the Southeastern U.S., Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.
Voice and data traffic are uplinked from U.S.-based ground stations equipped with ViaSat ArcLight® technology to the SES satellites, which then relay the information to the vessels where it is received by shipboard terminals. The 60-cm maritime terminal was jointly developed by KVH Industries and ViaSat specifically for the MMB service and is sold by KVH as the TracPhone V7. The terminal incorporates an antenna and associated equipment, as well as the ViaSat ArcLight spread spectrum modem, and is fully-stabilized, ensuring the antenna remains fixed on the satellites for uninterrupted service. The small size of the KVH TracPhone V7 also makes it easy to install and does not require boat and ship owners to reinforce their vessels or build custom platforms for support.
The MMB service provides a true broadband experience, enabling the delivery of voice and data "downstream" to vessels at up to 2 Mbps and supporting "upstream" data rates from ship-to-shore of as much as 512 Kbps. This performance is more than adequate for high-speed Internet browsing and virtual private networks (VPN), and for supporting multiple, simultaneous lines of IP-based telephone conversations. The VoIP telephony service is offered as a managed solution to ensure optimum reliability and excellent sound quality.
AMERICOM is making the MMB service available through a network of partner resellers, with KVH serving as the sole antenna supplier for all markets.
Click here to find out where to buy a KVH TracPhone V7
For more information on becoming a reseller, please contact Fred Cain at (1) 609-987-4200.
