Kymeta and Airbus Defence and Space Partner to Deliver mTenna™ Flat Panel Satellite Antennas to Maritime Market
Exclusive Agreement Brings mTenna Technology to Commercial Shipping and Super Yachts
Washington, D.C., 16 March, 2015 – Seattle-based Kymeta Corporation and Airbus Defence and Space today announced a partnership in which Airbus intends to sell Kymeta’s new mTenna™ satcom antennas in key markets on an exclusive basis. In the deal, Airbus Defence and Space has plans to purchase maritime terminals, which will be combined with compelling new service offerings and made available to the commercial shipping and super-yacht market.
As part of the new agreement, Airbus Defence and Space is providing Kymeta with key strategic and market inputs to assist in developing mTenna systems for the maritime market, as well as providing pilot customers for a forthcoming testing program.
Kymeta’s new mTenna suite of satellite antennas are based on electromagnetic metamaterials technology. These ultra-thin antennas use a holographic approach to electronically acquire, steer, and lock a beam to any satellite. Kymeta’s flat, light and low-cost satellite tracking antennas are designed to work seamlessly with Intelsat’s current generation satellite fleet and next generation EpicNG, and are ideal for many users in a variety of communications markets where traditional antennas are not currently practical or feasible.
“We are uniquely positioned as a technology agnostic company, so it’s vital that we are able to offer the widest range of antennas, below deck hardware and software as possible,” said Tore Morten Olsen, Head of Maritime Satcoms in Airbus Defence and Space. “Our approach is to provide the best solution for each and every customer, which is only possible by building relationships and securing capacity with SNOs like Intelsat and securing access to innovative solutions with technology companies we believe in like Kymeta.”
“We are proud to partner with Airbus Defence and Space to bring next generation satellite Internet connectivity to the maritime industry,” said Dr. Nathan Kundtz, president and CTO of Kymeta. “Kymeta’s mTenna technology addresses the cost and complexity challenges in delivering mobile satellite connectivity in multiple mobility markets. This partnership will address existing markets, create entirely new markets, and further our vision of enabling lower cost, high-speed satellite Internet connectivity to millions of users anywhere in the world.”
About Kymeta Corporation
Kymeta Corp. is commercializing a new, innovative software-enabled metamaterials-based electronic beamforming antenna for satellite communications. Kymeta has been named by CNBC to its annual list of the world’s 50 most disruptive companies for two consecutive years. Kymeta was selected by Future in Review as a 2014 FiRe Starter company. Boats. Planes. Cars. If it moves, Kymeta is the antenna solution that will keep it connected. Anywhere. The company is based in Redmond, Washington and operates on a worldwide basis.
