KVH Industries, Inc., a leading provider of mobile connectivity solutions, has announced the completion of a comprehensive connectivity upgrade across more than 75 vessels of Pacific Basin Shipping, a dry cargo transport operator and KVH customer for nearly a decade. This enhancement includes the installation of the KVH ONE® hybrid network, which integrates low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites with Starlink, delivering high-performance, low-latency connectivity on the global routes of the Pacific Basin fleet.
Through this agreement, signed in July 2024, Pacific Basin’s vessels have been equipped with KVH’s TracPhone® V7-HTS terminals, new high-performance Starlink terminals, and the innovative CommBox™ Edge Communications Gateway. This setup allows the vessels to benefit from a hybrid, multi-channel network capable of intelligently switching between different connectivity options.
Enhancing Connectivity at Sea
“Since 2016, we have had the pleasure of helping Pacific Basin keep their vessels and crews always connected. We are honored to continue this collaboration,” stated Ken Loke, Vice President of Sales for Asia-Pacific at KVH. “The choice of our global VSAT service, combined with the TracPhone V7-HTS and Starlink, demonstrates Pacific Basin’s commitment to top-tier maritime connectivity technology for their vessels and crews.”
The TracPhone V7-HTS terminal provides Ku-band satellite connectivity, featuring a high-throughput satellite (HTS) network powered by Intelsat that reaches download speeds of up to 10 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 Mbps. Meanwhile, Starlink offers high-speed internet access with low latency, thanks to its advanced, high-tech flat antenna. By integrating with CommBox Edge, vessels can continuously leverage the KVH ONE network worldwide.
A Comprehensive Management Solution for Maritime Networks
The CommBox Edge, a comprehensive management device for maritime IT professionals, enables the management of a wide range of WAN options, from VSAT and LEO services to 5G cellular networks. This solution provides a fast, secure architecture for SD-WAN (Software-defined Wide Area Network) and cloud management for efficient communications on vessels.
“At Pacific Basin, we strive for the highest quality in our operations and prioritize the well-being of our crews,” emphasized Harsh Bhave, Fleet Management Director at Pacific Basin. “This installation addresses the need for intelligent bandwidth enhancement, enabling high-level performance for our vessels and their personnel.”
About KVH Industries, Inc.
Founded in 1982, KVH Industries, Inc. is a leader in mobile connectivity and maritime VSAT services. Headquartered in Middletown, Rhode Island, with an international presence, KVH offers advanced solutions for customers in the commercial, military, land, and leisure sectors. Its products include TracNet™, TracPhone, and TracVision®, along with services like AgilePlans® and KVH Link, which provide connectivity and wellness content for crews.