London, UK and Middletown, RI USA − Inmarsat (LSE:ISAT.L) and KVH Industries, Inc., (NASDAQ: KVHI) announced the signing of a reciprocal distribution agreement with immediate effect.

Under the agreement, KVH becomes a non-exclusive, global distributor of Inmarsat’s Fleet One and FleetBroadband services, and Inmarsat becomes a non-exclusive distributor across all vessel types for KVH’s VideotelTM Basic Training Package, as well as for its NEWSlinkTM newspapers within the leisure and non-passenger merchant vessel segments, which will be offered as enhancements to Inmarsat’s Fleet Media service.

• Fleet One, delivered through a small, light-weight terminal, is a cost-effective voice and data service that has been specifically configured to be accessible and affordable for small vessels.
• Videotel’s Basic Training Package is directed towards the training of crew members in the maritime industry covering subjects such as basic firefighting, coping with hazardous weather and entry into enclosed spaces.
• NEWSlink newspapers, delivered daily by email, incorporate a portfolio of 75+ publications in 17 languages customised specifically for seafarers.

Commenting on the agreement, Ronald Spithout, President Inmarsat Maritime remarked, “We see this strategic relationship with KVH as a significant step in bringing the advantages of our innovative new services to those segments of the maritime market that were previously underserved.”

Martin Kits van Heyningen, KVH CEO noted, “KVH is happy to see more of Inmarsat’s customers gaining access to our NEWSlink news and Videotel training content, which are already used by more than 20,000 maritime vessels. KVH has sold Inmarsat’s maritime  services to our customers around the world for nearly 20 years, and we’re pleased to become a global distributor for the new Fleet One services.”