MIDDLETOWN – KVH Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) will extend its mobile communications technology to the commercial aviation market, under a $20.1 million contract announced today.
The multi-year deal – with “a leading in-flight entertainment supplier” – calls for KVH to design, develop and manufacture DirecTV-compatible antennas for use on narrowbody commercial aircraft. The new, low-profile antenna will be based upon the company’s award-winning TracVision mobile satellite technology, which already links thousands of boats, cars, trucks and recreational vehicles to satellite TV and broadband communications services.
“This new endeavor marks a significant and logical step in KVH’s evolution as a leading source for innovative mobile broadband technology on land, sea, and now, in the air,” CEO Martin Kits van Heyningen said in a statement today.
“As KVH has demonstrated in boats and vehicles around the globe over the last 15 years, live satellite television content – like sporting events and breaking news – is a compelling product for consumers” – a point that was underlined this month, when KVH shipped its 150,000th antenna.
“In the aviation market, passenger demand for premier in-flight entertainment and the recognition by airlines that live programming offers competitive and financial benefits is driving significant growth,” Kits van Heyningen said. “We look forward to working with our customer to meet that demand and foster the expansion of this market.”
KVH Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) is a maker of live mobile media systems and of navigation and guidance systems for defense and civilian use. Additional information is available at www.kvh.com.
