Cobbett Hill Earth Station Boosts Maritime Broadband Services With Upgrade To iDirect Evolution

HERNDON, Va., June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of Vision Technologies Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that UK-based independent teleport operator Cobbett Hill Earth Station is upgrading the network of its maritime services unit, ION (International Ocean Services) to the iDirect Evolution 3.2 Platform. The acquisition of maritime satellite communications provider ION in 2013 marked Cobbett Hill Earth Station's expansion into the commercial maritime market, which according to NSR will hold close to 1 million in-service units by 2023. This will be the first in a series of technology investments that Cobbett Hill Earth Station has planned for ION. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

Once all ION networks are upgraded to iDirect Evolution 3.2 customers will now experience improved performance on both the outbound channel through ACM and the inbound channel through Adaptive TDMA. Overall, increased bandwidth optimization will boost the power of its maritime broadband services. Once the upgrade is complete across all ION networks, the company plans to implement the iDirect X7 Satellite Router.

"Cobbett Hill Earth Station is committed to providing our customers across the globe with the network performance and reliability necessary to operate in a highly efficient manner. We believe the upgrade to iDirect Evolution 3.2 underscores this commitment and look forward to the enhanced capabilities we will be able to deliver to maritime customers as a result."

~ Paul O'BRIEN
Founder and Managing Director, Cobbett Hill Earth Station

"Cobbett Hill Earth Station represents a significant example for the way which Evolution 3.2 can deliver powerful capabilities in some of the most demanding environments. We believe this can be a model for other companies looking to provide customers with better quality, more resilient services at a higher performance."

~ Stephen TUNNICLIFFE
Regional Vice President, Europe, iDirect

Cobbett Hill Earth Station is strategically located in Guildford (UK) just 30 minutes from Central London. Cobbett Hill Earth Station offers Satellite Teleport services to a geographically diverse and multi-disciplined customer base. The Teleport has been located in Guildford since 1996 and operates numerous antennas on geostationary satellites located from 65⁰E to 57⁰W, providing data, voice and broadcast services. The Teleport is part of a 200-acre complex of antennas and industrial buildings.  The site was a 2nd World War army barracks that was taken over by the RAF in the 1950's and became a radio and secure HF transmissions site. The demise of HF communications gave CHE the opportunity to purchase the facility in 2005. Since this time, CHE has systematically improved the facility and continues to do so long term. The Teleport has undergone an extensive infrastructure refurbishment and upgrade plan, which has enabled CHE to create a modern and resilient Teleport equipped for the needs and demands of today's customers.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is a global leader in IP-based satellite communications providing technology that enables our 350+partners to optimize their networks, differentiate and expand their businesses. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ allows our partners to run their entire business operations more efficiently via a single, unified IP-based satellite architecture, whether it's providing core IP applications to the enterprise or specialized services to any number of diverse vertical markets. iDirect is the #1 name in global satellite communications in key industries including maritime, military/government, and oil and gas, with a 62% hub market share and more than a quarter million remotes installed worldwide. In 2007, iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) was formed to drive adoption of its IP-based solutions in the U.S. government market. In 2008, iDirect Asia Pte Ltd was established in Singapore to enhance its value-add and responsiveness to customers in the Asia Pacific region. For more information please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems is an engineering company providing integrated solutions to the commercial and government markets in the aerospace, electronics, land systems and marine sectors. VT Systems' innovative solutions, products and services include aircraft maintenance, repair and modification; software solutions in training and simulation; satellite-based IP communications technology; network solutions that integrate data, voice and video; rugged computers and computer peripheral equipment; specialized truck bodies and trailers; weapons and munitions systems; road construction equipment; and ship design and shipbuilding. Headquartered in Alexandria, Va., VT Systems operates globally and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ST Engineering. Please visit www.vt-systems.com.

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SOURCE iDirect