Comtech EF Data Completes Interoperability Testing With Mitsubishi Electric to Enhance Maritime Connectivity

TEMPE, Ariz, Feb. 21, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comtech EF Data Corporation announced today that it has completed interoperability testing with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation's MVA100 Maritime VSAT stabilized antenna system and the ROSS Open Antenna Management (ROAM) protocol. The interoperability enables the MVA100 Maritime VSAT antenna system on vessels to globally roam across multiple satellite beams, maintaining connectivity moving through different satellite footprints.

The ROAM protocol offers a common management interface for Comtech EF Data's Roaming Oceanic Satellite Server (ROSS) and third-party Antenna Control Units (ACUs) by providing a generic set of commands, information, interfaces and status queries. ROSS is an integrated location server that works in conjunction with Comtech EF Data's Vipersat Management System to facilitate on-the-move satellite communications for oceanic vessels. ROSS enables remote modems to interface with stabilized, auto-tracking antennae, maintaining connectivity as vessels move through footprints of different satellites. Vessel position data, satellite signal and management status are constantly monitored to determine when satellite handoff is necessary.

As ROSS can support many types of ACUs, the ROAM protocol reduces the complexity and the variations by providing basic parameters required to globally roam across multiple satellite beams. The ROAM protocol provides uniformity in implementation of third-party antenna manufacturers' interfaces, while enabling the unique characteristics and proprietary techniques of different manufacturers.

"The interoperability of ROAM and ROSS with Mitsubishi Electric's VSAT antenna system will provide maximum bandwidth efficiencies and seamless global connectivity for oceanic vessels," said Daniel Enns, Senior Vice President Strategic Marketing and Business Development for Comtech EF Data.

Mitsubishi Electric's MVA100 Maritime VSAT antenna system is a 1-meter dish designed for earth station on the vessel applications. The Ku-Band system has a robust and reliable antenna control. It features a stable, 3-axis stabilized mount for full hemispherical coverage under severe motion conditions, and complies with ITU-R requirements for severe vessel motion and vibration.

Keizo Miyawaki, General Manager for IT Space Solutions Division of Mitsubishi Electric commented on the interoperability, "Satellite-based communications on the high seas will be greatly enhanced for our maritime customers with the combination of our antenna system and Comtech EF Data's market-leading technologies."

About Mitsubishi Electric

With over 90 years of experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to both corporate clients and general consumers all over the world, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO:6503) is a recognized world leader in the manufacture, marketing and sales of electrical and electronic equipment used in information processing and communications, space development and satellite communications, consumer electronics, industrial technology, energy, transportation and building equipment. The company recorded consolidated group sales of 3,645.3 billion yen (US$ 43.9 billion*) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011. For more information visit http://www.MitsubishiElectric.com

*At an exchange rate of 83 yen to the US dollar, the rate given by the Tokyo Foreign Exchange Market on March 31, 2011

About Comtech EF Data

Comtech EF Data Corporation, a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunications Corporation CMTL, is the recognized global leader in satellite bandwidth efficiency and link optimization. The advanced communication solutions encompass the Advanced VSAT Solutions, Modems, WAN Optimization, Managed Bandwidth and RF products. The Company is recognized as a technology innovator, and has a reputation for exceptional product quality and reliability. The solutions enable commercial and government users to reduce OPEX/CAPEX and to increase throughput for fixed and mobile/transportable satellite-based applications. For more information, visit www.comtechefdata.com.

The Comtech EF Data Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=7011

Certain information in this press release contains statements that are forward-looking in nature and involve certain significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from such forward-looking information. The Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings identify many such risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking information in this press release is qualified in its entirety by the risks and uncertainties described in such Securities and Exchange Commission filings.