OmniAccess Launches BroadBEAM Ultra VSAT Service Based on iDirect Evolution Platform for Yachting Customers

HERNDON, Va., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect), a company of VT Systems, Inc. (VT Systems), today announced that OmniAccess S.L., a leading communications provider to super- and mega-yacht owners, has launched BroadBEAM Ultra, the latest addition to its line of maritime VSAT broadband services. The service is based on iDirect's next-generation DVB-S2 Evolution platform, leveraging its maximum efficiency gains to offer unparalleled single-link speeds to yachting customers across the Caribbean and Mediterranean. iDirect is a world leader in satellite-based IP communications technology.

OmniAccess' BroadBEAM Ultra service is designed to meet the demands of super- and mega-yacht owners who are increasing their usage of next-generation, bandwidth-hungry applications such as IPTV streaming and HD video conferencing. While previous service standards usually peaked at 1-2 Mbps, BroadBEAM Ultra is engineered to be up to 20 times faster, setting a new standard as the fastest single-link maritime VSAT service available today. The service will be offered in tailored packages optimized for the yachting calendar – a 5-month, winter-season package for the Caribbean and a 6-month, summer-season package for the Mediterranean.

The new service is powered by iDirect's Evolution platform, providing maximum efficiency gains and flexibility that enable OmniAccess to deliver high-speed satellite broadband at competitive fees. Earlier this year, OmniAccess migrated its customer base to iDirect's next-generation platform by installing Evolution X5 satellite routers onboard their vessels. With the X5's built-in support for high-speed, high-efficiency applications, customers can seamlessly upgrade to OmniAccess' latest service offering without needing to purchase new hardware.

Evolution is based on iDirect's Deterministic Time Division Multiple Access (D-TDMA) technology, enabling OmniAccess to flexibly support groups of yachting customers with shared bandwidth pools. By sharing capacity based on real-time demand, OmniAccess can avoid expensive, dedicated satellite links while ensuring that it meets each customer's SLA. Further, advanced Group Quality of Service (GQoS) controls allow OmniAccess to intelligently allocate and prioritize bandwidth based on the specific needs of each vessel, and even among each application onboard.

"We've been using iDirect's Evolution platform for several months and found it to be an exceedingly efficient and scalable solution for meeting our customers' demands. What's more, iDirect's TAC technicians were instrumental in the development of our new service, helping us optimize settings on the Evolution X5 routers to enable BroadBEAM Ultra to reach new boundaries of performance."

"Yachting customers are a major driver behind satellite broadband's maturity in the maritime industry, pushing their service providers to deliver higher speeds and more capacity for a growing number of new and more bandwidth-intensive applications at sea. By leveraging Evolution's full capabilities, OmniAccess is able to offer a cutting-edge service that meets customer demands and increases its competitive advantage in the maritime market."

OmniAccess is based in the "yachting capital of the Mediterranean", Palma de Mallorca, offering a portfolio of cutting-edge services and products to some of the world's most impressive yachts. OmniAccess' services encompass BroadBEAM VSAT solutions for high-speed Internet connectivity at sea, Teleport operations, PLEXUS advanced data-network design and implementation, project management and consulting.

iDirect, a subsidiary of VT Systems, is transforming the way the world gets and stays connected. The company's satellite-based IP communications technology enables constant connectivity for voice, video and data applications in diverse and challenging environments. The iDirect Intelligent Platform™ integrates advanced technology into iDirect's portfolio of hubs, routers and network management software to address the growing complexity of deploying and managing global IP networks. With more than 15 years of global satellite communications experience, iDirect serves customers in over 50 countries through a diverse network of service provider partners, including seven of the World Teleport Association's Global Top Ten operators. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, iDirect has offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. In 2007, iDirect Government Technologies (iGT) was set up to drive adoption of its IP-based solutions in the US 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.  Please visit www.idirect.net.

VT Systems is a diversified company providing integrated engineering 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.

SOURCE iDirect