KVH Industries has announced two key developments for its new TracPhone V3 satellite communications system and mini-VSAT BroadbandSM network. The first shipments of the TracPhone V3, the smallest Ku-band maritime VSAT antenna in the world at just 14.5? (37 cm) in diameter, left KVH's factory yesterday and will arrive at its first owners' vessels complete with commercial license authority from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The new license builds upon KVH's existing earth station onboard vessel or ESV license for the mini-VSAT Broadband satellite communications service and KVH's 24? (60 cm) TracPhone V7 antenna. These developments represent the latest milestones in the joint effort of KVH and ViaSat, Inc., (Nasdaq: VSAT) to provide affordable mobile broadband connectivity to mariners around the globe.

"This approval for the TracPhone V3 means that all mini-VSAT Broadband subscribers can enjoy 100% FCC-approved, licensed service, regardless of which TracPhone antenna they choose," says Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH's chief executive officer.

"KVH's legal team has worked diligently with countries around the world to ensure that our mini-VSAT Broadband network meets or exceeds their national requirements, and receiving an FCC ESV license for the TracPhone V3 is an integral part of that ongoing effort. Mariners now have an outstanding new option for an ultra-compact SATCOM solution that is far more affordable and faster than L-band services like Inmarsat."

A senior FCC employee familiar with the ESV licensing rules commented on the approval of the TracPhone V3 and its use with the integrated mini-VSAT Broadband network, stating, "This is precisely the type of end-to-end system that the FCC contemplated when we drafted the ESV rules."

KVH and ViaSat make this award-winning global service possible using ViaSat's revolutionary ArcLight spread spectrum technology, which enables very small terminals to receive high-speed data. The small equipment is a valuable benefit to a wide variety of maritime industries because it is easy and inexpensive to install and activate. KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband network is extremely attractive to operators in these industries because it is a unified global network.

Plus, the power of ArcLight technology enables KVH to offer the most attractive airtime packages currently available, including simple, straightforward metered service at just $0.49 per minute for voice calls worldwide and $0.99 per megabyte at the fastest speeds available on the network.

The mini-VSAT Broadband network is 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 2 Mbps. KVH's compact family of mini-VSAT Broadband-compatible TracPhone antennas are more affordable and faster and easier to install than competing solutions.

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 world's fastest growing maritime VSAT solution. KVH's mini-VSAT Broadband customers include the U.S. Coast Guard and leading commercial shipping companies like Nordic Tankers, Mowinckel, and Vroon.