KVH Industries has announced that mini-VSAT BroadbandSM service is now available to mariners in South American waters, officially completing the original global coverage plan for the maritime satellite communications network.

This milestone is the latest in a string of network expansions and improvements from KVH and its partner, ViaSat Inc., that have made the next-generation, spread spectrum mini-VSAT Broadband network the world's most popular and fastest-growing maritime VSAT service.

"This marks the completion of a powerful, affordable alternative to older, slower, and less-reliable services that were once the only option for mariners. We set out to offer a dramatically new approach to maritime SATCOM, which is now a reality that mariners around the globe can enjoy, thanks to seamless mini-VSAT Broadband service wherever they travel," says Brent C. Bruun, KVH's senior vice president of global sales and business development.

"We look forward to building on this development, providing additional convenience and value to mini-VSAT Broadband subscribers with continued network enhancements, new value-added options, and even broader regulatory approvals for in-port use of the network in key regions."

"In addition to completing the global maritime coverage, this expansion is also another key component of our expanding global network for aviation. South America is a key and fast expanding market segment for our Yonder high-speed Internet service, and this new coverage area addresses increasing demand both locally and from abroad," said Don Buchman, ViaSat's director of mobile broadband.

In addition to being the world's most popular and fastest growing maritime VSAT network with 1,500 units fielded, mini-VSAT Broadband also delivers:

+ More than 100 terabytes of data per year

+ More than 1.5 million phone calls

+ Average network uptime of 99.5%

+ Worldwide regulatory authority to operate offshore and in-port in more than 125 countries around the globe

A managed airtime network solution, mini-VSAT Broadband equips vessels with the highest data rates available with downloads as fast as 2 Mbps and uploads as fast as 1 Mbps, as well as Voice over IP (VoIP) telephone lines with optimized service and prioritization of applications.

The network uses ViaSat ArcLight spread spectrum technology, a reliable and efficient technology proven in both commercial and military applications. Multiple airtime plans are available, including simple metered plans ($0.99 per MB for data and $0.49 per minute for voice services and packages starting at less than $50 per month) and fixed monthly and seasonal plans with even lower data and voice costs.

These benefits are available to mariners on any size vessel, for any application, and even in adverse weather conditions via the award-winning 24" TracPhone V7 and compact, 14.5" TracPhone V3 antennas and the integrated ArcLight modem.