In 2007, KVH Industries unveiled a revolutionary approach to satellite communications with the introduction of its mini-VSAT Broadband SM network and compact TracPhone V7 hardware.

This breakthrough and the network's global expansion were honored recently as the Mobile Satellite Users Association presented KVH the 2011 MSUA Innovation Award. The honor was presented by MSUA president Tim Farrar at the MSUA-8 conference, which was held in conjunction with the SATELLITE 2011 Conference and Exhibition in Washington, DC.

"We are delighted to recognize KVH's innovative mini-VSAT Broadband product, which achieved a breakthrough in size and affordability and has made high-speed VSAT service accessible to a far greater range of maritime vessels," explained Mr. Farrar.

"KVH has experienced strong uptake for mini-VSAT Broadband over the last three years, and its many imitators have only served to confirm how important small antennas are to the maritime community."

"I'd like to thank Chairman Bob Roe and the MSUA for recognizing the importance of small antennas in the marine community and that mini-VSAT Broadband offers mobile satellite users an alternative over L-band services or traditional 'big dish' VSAT," said Brent C. Bruun, KVH's senior vice president for global sales and business development.

"Fast speeds and affordable airtime are crucial in the applications used in the modern world of maritime communications. We've also made a commitment to offering a global, seamless network. Working with SATCOM partners like ViaSat, SP-JSAT, and others, allows us to bring new service or expanded capacity to key shipping lanes and cruising regions.

"We made tremendous progress throughout 2010 and in early 2011 to improve capacity in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Indian Ocean, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. We now offer the only multi-megabit Ku-band global network for ships and planes. We and our family of worldwide users believe that mini-VSAT is a unique solution designed to meet the expanding needs for communications at sea."

The mini-VSAT Broadband network was designed from the ground up to be the first next-generation maritime satellite communications solution. The global spread spectrum satellite network, built with ViaSat's patented ArcLight technology, offers more affordable airtime, voice service and Internet access as fast as 512 Kbps (ship to shore) and 2 Mbps (shore to ship).

More than 1,000 TracPhone V7 systems have been shipped in the three years since the product's introduction, making the mini-VSAT Broadband network the fastest growing maritime VSAT solution. The company recently expanded its product offering with the new TracPhone V3, the world's smallest maritime VSAT system at only 14.5 inches in diameter.