10-K
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 0-28082
KVH Industries, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
 
05-0420589
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
50 Enterprise Center, Middletown, RI 02842
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(401) 847-3327
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ Global Market)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of June 30, 2015, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $196,345,440 based on the closing sale price of $13.45 per share as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Shares of common stock held by


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executive officers and directors of the registrant and their affiliates have been excluded from this calculation because such persons may be deemed affiliates.
As of March 11, 2016, the registrant had 16,168,380 shares of common stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III.
 


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INDEX TO FORM 10-K
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 15.

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PART I
ITEM 1.
Business
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
In addition to historical facts, this annual report contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are merely our current predictions of future events. These statements are inherently uncertain, and actual events could differ materially from our predictions. Important factors that could cause actual events to vary from our predictions include those discussed in this annual report under the headings “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.” We assume no obligation to update our forward-looking statements to reflect new information or developments. We urge readers to review carefully the risk factors described in this annual report and in the other documents that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can read these documents at www.sec.gov.
Additional Information Available
Our principal Internet address is www.kvh.com. Our website provides a hyperlink to a third-party website through which our annual, quarterly, and current reports, as well as amendments to those reports, are available free of charge. We believe these reports are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. We do not provide any information regarding our SEC filings directly to the third-party website, and we do not check its accuracy or completeness.
Introduction
We are a leading manufacturer of solutions that provide global high-speed Internet, television, and voice services via satellite to mobile users at sea and on land. We are also a leading provider of commercially licensed entertainment, including news, sports, music, and movies, to commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets. In addition, as a result of our July 2014 acquisition of Videotel Marine Asia Limited and Super Dragon Limited (together referred to as Videotel), we develop and distribute training films and e-Learning computer-based training courses to commercial maritime customers. We are also a premier manufacturer of high-performance navigational sensors and integrated inertial systems for defense and commercial guidance and stabilization applications. We are headquartered in Middletown, Rhode Island, with active operations in Denmark, Hong Kong, the State of Illinois, Japan, Norway, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Our Products and Services
We design, develop, manufacture, and market mobile communications products and services for the marine and land mobile markets, and navigation, guidance, and stabilization products for both the commercial and defense markets.
Mobile Broadband Products
In the global maritime market, we believe that there is increasing demand for mobile access to television, entertainment, voice services, the Internet, and near real-time operational services such as safety training, navigation chart updates, weather services, and voyage optimization. For both maritime and terrestrial customers that want to access live television while on the move, we offer a comprehensive family of mobile satellite antenna products marketed under the TracVision brand. For access to the Internet and voice services while on the move, which we refer to collectively as our airtime services, we offer a family of mobile satellite antenna products and services marketed under the brands TracPhone and mini-VSAT Broadband. The network infrastructure that we have developed to support our airtime services also supports the delivery of other value-added services over our IP-MobileCast content delivery service for both entertainment and operational needs.
Our mobile satellite antenna products are typically installed on mobile platforms and use sophisticated robotics, stabilization and control software, sensing technologies, transceiver integration, and advanced antenna designs to automatically search for, identify and point directly at the selected television and communications satellite while the vehicle or vessel is in motion. Our antennas use gyros and inclinometers to measure the pitch, roll and yaw of an antenna platform in relation to the earth. Microprocessors and our proprietary stabilization and control software use that data to compute the antenna movement necessary for the antenna’s motors to point the antenna properly and maintain contact with the satellite. If an obstruction temporarily blocks the satellite signal, our products continue to track the satellite’s location according to the movement of the antenna platform in order to carry out automatic, rapid reacquisition of the signal when a direct line of sight to the satellite is restored.

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Our Certified Support Network offers our TracVision and TracPhone customers an international network of skilled technical dealers and support centers in many locations where our customers are likely to travel. We have selected distributors based on their technical expertise, professionalism, and commitment to quality, and regularly provide them with extensive training in the sale, installation and support of our products.
Maritime
In the marine market, we offer a range of mobile satellite TV and communications products.
Satellite TV. Our TracVision TV-series satellite TV antennas, launched in mid-2014, are designed with the full spectrum of vessel sizes in mind, ranging from recreational vessels as small as 20 to 25 feet to large commercial vessels. The TV-series replaced a number of our M-series antennas with new antennas that incorporate new features, including an IP-enabled control unit to allow access to system information from any Wi-Fi device. Our family of marine TracVision products includes the 32-cm diameter TracVision TV1, 37-cm diameter TracVision TV3, 45-cm diameter TracVision TV5, and the 60-cm diameter TracVision TV6, each of which employs a high-efficiency circular antenna. In April 2015, we also introduced the 81-cm TracVision TV8. These products are compatible with Ku-band HDTV programming as well as high-powered regional satellite TV services around the globe, based on available signal strength and antenna size requirements.
Our TracVision HD-series satellite TV antennas are designed to offer a high definition TV experience comparable to that enjoyed by a home DIRECTV HDTV subscriber. Our TracVision HD7 uses a 61-cm diameter satellite TV antenna to receive signals from two DIRECTV Ka-band satellites and one DIRECTV Ku-band satellite simultaneously. It includes an Internet Protocol-enabled antenna control unit as well as optional antenna control via a free TracVision application for use on an Apple iPhone or iPad. We believe the TracVision HD7 was the first marine antenna to offer this combination of capabilities. Our TracVision HD11 offers a worldwide satellite TV capability through the use of a 1-meter diameter antenna and a global low noise block designed for use with the majority of direct-to-home satellite TV services. As a result, it is able to receive all Ku-band and DIRECTV Ka-band satellite television signals without changing out hardware elements. The Ku-band also works with modern satellite television services currently available in the world. The Ka-band will receive DIRECTV HDTV. Like the TracVision HD7, it features a customer application for the Apple iPhone or iPad to provide easy control of the system.
Satellite Phone and Internet. Our mini-VSAT Broadband network offers an end-to-end solution for offshore connectivity. This unified C/Ku-band Broadband service enables us to offer commercial, leisure, and government customers an integrated hardware and service solution for mobile communications and seamless region-to-region roaming. We design and manufacture the onboard TracPhone V-IP terminals, own the hub equipment installed in leased earth stations, lease the satellite capacity, manage the network through third-party service providers, and provide 24/7/365 after-sale support. Because we manufacture the onboard hardware, we can integrate the full rack of discrete below decks equipment typically used on traditional VSAT systems into a single, streamlined unit that is significantly easier to deploy than competing VSAT solutions. Our mini-VSAT Broadband network utilizes ArcLight spread spectrum modem technology developed by ViaSat. This spread spectrum approach reduces the broadcast power requirements and the pointing accuracy necessary to track the C- and Ku-band satellites that carry the service. The resulting efficiencies allowed us to develop and bring to market our TracPhone V-IP terminals. Our 60-cm diameter TracPhone V7-IP Ku-band antenna is 85% smaller by volume and 75% lighter than alternative 1-meter diameter VSAT antennas. Our 37-cm diameter TracPhone V3-IP Ku-band antenna is practical for use on smaller vessels as well as land vehicles. We believe that the TracPhone V3 is the smallest maritime VSAT system currently available. Our dual-mode TracPhone V11-IP antenna seamlessly tracks both C- and Ku-band satellites, making it the only 1-meter diameter maritime VSAT antenna to deliver seamless global coverage outside the far polar regions.
We are actively engaged in sales efforts for the TracPhone V-IP Series and mini-VSAT Broadband service to government agencies for maritime, military, and emergency responder use. In September 2010, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded us a 10-year contract valued at up to $42 million to supply TracPhone V7 systems and mini-VSAT Broadband airtime to as many as 216 U.S. Coast Guard cutters. As of December 31, 2015, we have supplied TracPhone V7 and V7-IP systems for 113 U.S. Coast Guard vessels. We also continue to expand our ability to support the commercial maritime market. In March 2011, we signed a contract to provide TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband service to Vroon B.V. and its fleet of more than 125 commercial vessels and, as of December 31, 2015, approximately 125 systems have shipped. In March 2012, V.Ships, the world’s largest independent ship manager serving a fleet of over 1,000 vessels, selected our mini-VSAT Broadband service as its preferred satellite communications solution. In June 2012, Tokyo-based shipping and logistics company, Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line), selected our TracPhone V7 and mini-VSAT Broadband service and, as of December 31, 2015, approximately 140 systems have shipped.
We also offer CommBox, a ship-to-shore network management product that comprises shipboard hardware, a KVH-hosted or privately owned shore-based hub, and a suite of software applications. CommBox offers a range of tools designed to

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increase communication efficiency, reduce costs, and manage network operations. Key functions include web and data compression and optimization to increase network capacity; remote PC management for customer IT departments; integrated e-mail, firewalls, and security; least-cost routing; and bandwidth management on multiple communication carriers. Since September 2013, we have offered the CommBox functionality as an option for all TracPhone V-IP Series products through software accompanying the integrated Commbox modem. We receive subscription fees related to the selected software applications and monthly system maintenance fees. Because we offer this integrated solution, we no longer generate meaningful revenue from sales of standalone CommBox hardware.
We also offer Iridium OpenPort hardware and service to be used in conjunction with our mini-VSAT service. Iridium OpenPort service provides data rates up to 128Kbps and covers the entire world, including the polar regions. We offer the Iridium hardware and service along with our own mini-VSAT solution with the integrated CommBox functionality, which will switch over to the Iridium service if the mini-VSAT service is not available. Our customers might choose to add the Iridium service to expand the geographic coverage of the system or as a backup service.
In addition to our TracPhone VSAT products and mini-VSAT Broadband service, we also offer a family of Inmarsat-compatible TracPhone products that provide in-motion access to global satellite communications. These products rely on services offered by Inmarsat, a satellite service provider that supports links for phone, fax, and data communications as fast as 432 Kbps. The TracPhone FB150, FB250, and FB500 antennas use the Inmarsat FleetBroadband service to offer voice as well as high-speed Internet service. The TracPhone FB150, FB250, FB500 and FleetOne products are manufactured by Thrane & Thrane A/S of Denmark (acquired by Cobham) and distributed on an OEM basis by us in North America under our TracPhone brand and distributed in other markets on a non-exclusive basis.
Unlike mini-VSAT Broadband, where we control and sell the airtime, we purchase Inmarsat and Iridium airtime from a distributor and resell it to our customers.
Land Mobile
We design, manufacture, and sell a range of TracVision satellite TV antenna systems for use on a broad array of vehicles, including recreational vehicles, buses, conversion vans, and automobiles.
In the RV and bus markets, we offer TracVision satellite TV products, intended for both stationary and in-motion use. Our TracVision R1 delivers DIRECTV or DISH network service through a small 32-cm diameter dome. Our TracVision A9, introduced in January 2015 as a replacement for the DIRECTV-only TracVision A7, uses hybrid phased-array antenna technology to provide in-motion reception of satellite TV programming in the continental United States using either the DIRECTV or DISH Network services. The TracVision A9 stands approximately five inches high and mounts either to a vehicle’s roof rack or directly to the vehicle’s roof, making it practical for use aboard minivans, SUVs and other passenger vehicles. The TracVision A9 includes a mobile satellite television antenna and an IP-enabled TV hub for easy system configuration and control via Wi-Fi devices, such as an Apple iPhone or iPad. The TracVision A9 is also suitable for tall motor coaches and buses. Automotive customers subscribe to DIRECTV’s TOTAL CHOICE MOBILE satellite TV programming package, which is specifically promoted for automotive applications, or to DISH Network programming. Local channels and network programming are also available as an option for TracVision A9 users as a result of the system’s integrated GPS. At this time, we are the only company authorized by DIRECTV to sell, promote, and activate automotive users for the TOTAL CHOICE MOBILE programming package.
Airtime Services
In addition to our mobile satellite antenna hardware and software, we offer airtime plans that enable customers to obtain Internet and voice services. We offer a variety of rate plans that typically require an initial commitment of one or more years with a one-year auto-renewal feature. In October 2015, we introduced mini-VSAT Broadband 2.0, our second generation mini-VSAT service. The key features of the new service are new airtime plans, a new network management portal and a new comprehensive global customer support program. Our new airtime plans are a series of usage-based plans, designed around each ship's monthly data requirements for operational and crew needs, that deliver data at higher speeds. Our new network management portal, myKVH, is a secure portal that enables a ship operator to manage network usage by vessel or by individual crew members by allocating operational and crew data caps while receiving customized usage alerts. For customers that want the certainty of a fixed monthly price, we continue to provide fixed rate plans that vary depending on data speeds and include protocol restrictions, such as limiting those that stream video content. User speeds are also restricted but not stopped when users reach established data use thresholds. In addition, we offer multiple metered plans that are either billed monthly based on the data consumed without any application or protocol blocking or based on a monthly minimum data quota with the option to add more data for an incremental charge. The TracPhone V3-IP requires a metered plan while the TracPhone V7-IP and V11-IP

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can support any plan.
The high bandwidth offered by the Ku-band satellites also permits faster data rates than those supported by Inmarsat’s L-band satellites. TracPhone V7-IP and V11-IP customers may select service packages with Internet data connections offering ship-to-shore satellite data rates as fast as 1 megabit per second, or Mbps, and shore-to-ship satellite data rates as fast as 4 Mbps. The TracPhone V3-IP, due to its smaller dish diameter, offers ship-to-shore data rates as fast as 128 kilobits per second, or Kbps, and shore-to-ship satellite data rates as fast as 2 Mbps. In addition, subscriptions include Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone services optimized for use over satellite connections. The TracPhone V7-IP and V11-IP can support two or more simultaneous calls while the TracPhone V3-IP can support one call at a time.
Our mini-VSAT Broadband network currently uses a combination of 22 Ku-band and three global C-band transponders on 18 satellites to provide coverage throughout the northern hemisphere and all of the major continents in the southern hemisphere. We currently offer our Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband service in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Australian and New Zealand waters. It is our long-term plan to continue to invest in and enhance our mini-VSAT Broadband network. In March 2015, we expanded our capacity in the Asia-Pacific and Pacific Northwest regions and doubled our mini-VSAT broadband network capacity in eastern Canada and U.S. coastal regions. In December 2015, we more than doubled our broadband capacity in the North Atlantic Ocean region and added a new beam across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, effectively adding 30% more capacity. Under the terms of our revenue sharing arrangement with ViaSat, these types of expansions position us to earn revenue not only from the maritime and land-based use of the mini-VSAT Broadband service but also from aeronautical applications that roam throughout our network.
In June 2015, we implemented a global private multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) network connecting all of our teleports and satellite beams. We believe that transitioning from the public Internet to a private MPLS network will provide increased security, enhanced quality of service and increased network reliability and uptime for our customers.
Advanced Media & Services
We offer a variety of value-added services to our maritime customers as well as news content to our hotel customers and radio content to a small number of retail customers. The vast majority of these value-added services are subscription-based. We also off a variety of engineering and program management services to certain customers that purchase our guidance and stabilization products.
In May 2013, we acquired Headland Media Limited (now known as KVH Media Group), a media and entertainment service company based in the United Kingdom that distributes commercially licensed entertainment, including news, sports, music, and movies, to commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets. Sales from KVH Media Group are included in our mobile broadband services sales. Our “news from home” digital newspaper service includes more than 100 daily newspapers in more than 20 languages that at the end of 2015 was delivered to more than 8,500 commercial ships, hotels, and cruise ships. The digital content can be printed onboard or viewed on a tablet, smartphone, or laptop. For movie content, we are an approved distributor of licensed content for certain major Hollywood, Bollywood, and independent studios. For television content, we are an approved distributor for certain major TV studios worldwide.
In July 2014, we acquired Videotel, a leading provider of high-quality training films and e-Learning services for the commercial maritime industry. Servicing over 12,000 vessels at the end of 2015, Videotel offers video, animation, e-Learning computer-based training (CBT) and interactive distance learning services. Certification and refresher courses are mandated by international regulations and, at the end of 2015, more than 10 million training hours of Videotel content had been delivered to over 300,000 registered crew members. Sales from Videotel are included in our mobile broadband service sales.
In late 2014, we launched a new content delivery service called IP-MobileCast. Content and data files are transmitted using a sophisticated multicast technology across our global satellite network to every vessel or mobile vehicle that has an active, compatible TracPhone V series or V-IP series terminal. The content is either stored on the terminal itself or on a KVH-supplied media server, which is required for digital rights managed content such as movies and Videotel content. This delivery mechanism reduces the amount of bandwidth required to transmit large files to a large population of customers. Before multicasting, large data files were generally transmitted across satellite networks “on demand” or unicast, which consumes significant bandwidth. Moreover, copyright law requires permission from the rights holder for exhibitions of copyrighted film and television. Historically, studios have granted KVH Media Group permission to license non-theatrical exhibitions aboard ships. While traditionally we have licensed this content to commercial maritime customers through the distribution of DVDs, we have now automated the transmission of this type of entertainment via IP-MobileCast.
Customers that subscribe to one of our entertainment packages generally receive a variety of movie and television

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content that is cached locally onboard with unlimited onboard viewing for a year. We transmit 124 thirty-minute local “news from home” segments in a variety of languages on a daily basis, up to 20 movies a month plus daily sports and news clips and special programming such as the highlights of sporting events.
We also offer a variety of operational services through IP-MobileCast. Subscribers to the Videotel training and e-Learning content can also receive new content over the IP-MobileCast network through TRAININGlink, whereby customers receive new content more frequently than once a year. As part of our CHARTlink service, we transmit electronic chart updates for ECDIS solution providers Transas and Jeppesen. For our FORECASTlink service, we transmit global forecasts and high-resolution weather data provided by AWT. Our charting and weather forecasting services provide critical content for voyage optimization.
In addition, we offer professional services for our VSAT products that include network design, installation of onboard TracPhone terminals and custom configuration of the CommBox based on customer requirements. These services are performed by our employees as well as a dealer network of certified engineers.
Guidance and Stabilization Products
We offer a portfolio of digital compass and fiber optic gyro (FOG)-based systems that address the rigorous requirements of military and commercial customers. Our systems provide reliable, easy-to-use and continuously available navigation and pointing data. Our guidance and stabilization products include our FOG-based inertial measurement units (IMUs) for precision guidance, FOGs for tactical navigation as well as pointing and stabilization systems, and digital compasses that provide accurate heading information for demanding applications.
Guidance and Stabilization
Our high-performance digital signal processing (DSP)-based FOG products use an all-fiber design that has no moving parts, resulting in an affordable combination of precision, accuracy, and durability. Our FOG products support a broad range of military applications, including stabilization of remote weapons stations, antennas, radar, optical devices, or turrets; image stabilization and synchronization for shoulder-or tripod-mounted weapon simulators; precision tactical navigation systems for military vehicles, and guidance for weapons and unmanned autonomous vehicles. Our FOG products are also used in numerous commercial products, such as navigation and positioning systems for various applications including precision mapping, dynamic surveying, autonomous vehicles, train location control and track geometry measurement systems, industrial robotics, and optical stabilization.
Our TG-6000 IMU is a guidance system that provides precise measurement of motion and acceleration in three dimensions. It uses a three-axis configuration of our FOGs integrated with three accelerometers. We believe that this configuration provides outstanding performance, high reliability, low maintenance and easy system integration. The TG-6000 IMU is a component in the U.S. Navy’s MK54 lightweight torpedo and is suitable for use in other applications that involve flight control, orientation, instrumentation, and navigation, such as unmanned aerial vehicles. The CG-5100, our first commercial-grade IMU, is suitable for a wide range of applications such as 3D augmented reality, mobile mapping, platform navigation, and GPS augmentation for unmanned vehicle programs, precise mapping, and imagery.
Our CNS-5000 continuous navigation system is a self-contained navigation system that combines our FOG-based inertial measurement technology with GPS technology from NovAtel. This navigation solution provides precise position and orientation of a host platform on a continuous basis, even during periods where GPS signals are blocked by natural or man-made obstructions or conditions. The CNS-5000 is designed for demanding commercial applications, such as dynamic surveying, mobile mapping, precision agriculture, container terminal management, and autonomous vehicle navigation, where the ability to determine the precise position and orientation of a piece of equipment or a mobile platform is critical. The CNS-5000 is a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) product consisting of a FOG-based inertial measurement unit tightly integrated with GPS within a single enclosure. This design reduces the operational complexities for customers whose products cross international boundaries.
Our open-loop DSP-1750, DSP-3000, and DSP-4000 FOGs provide precision measurement of the rate and angle of a platform’s turning motion for significantly less cost than competing closed-loop gyros. These DSP-based products deliver performance superior to analog signal processing devices, which experience greater temperature-sensitive drift and rotation errors. Applications for these products include inertial measurement units, integrated navigation systems, attitude/heading/reference systems, and stabilization of antenna, radar, and optical equipment.
The DSP-1750, which we believe to be the world’s smallest high-performance FOG, is the first to use our E·Core

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ThinFiber® technology. This thin fiber, which is created at our Tinley Park, Illinois manufacturing facility, is only 170 microns in diameter, enabling longer lengths of fiber to be wound into smaller housings. Since the length of the fiber used in a FOG directly relates to gyro accuracy and performance, this technology enables us to produce smaller and more accurate gyros. The small size and weight of the DSP-1750 make it well suited for applications with size and weight restrictions, such as night vision and thermal imaging systems, aircraft-mounted gimbaled cameras for law enforcement and homeland security, and shipboard optical systems.
Our DSP-1760 single-axis and multi-axis FOGs offer improved performance and ease of integration relative to the DSP-1750. Many customers using our DSP-1750 single-axis and dual-axis FOGs also had requirements for packaged DSP-1750s. To address this demand, we introduced the DSP-1760 product line, consisting of packaged one, two, or three axes of FOGs, each with two different interface connector options.
The DSP-3000 and DSP-3100 are each slightly larger than a deck of playing cards and offers a variety of interface options to support a range of applications. High-performance 2-axis and 3-axis configurations can be realized by integrating multiple DSP-3000 and DSP-3100 units. Currently, the DSP-3000 and DSP-3100 are used in an array of pointing and stabilization applications, including the U.S. Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) to provide the image and gun stabilization necessary to ensure that the weapon remains aimed at its target. We estimate that more than 20 companies have developed or are developing stabilized remote weapons stations that we believe will require similar FOG stabilization capabilities. The larger, militarized dual axis DSP-4000 is designed for use in high-shock and highly dynamic environments, such as gun turret stabilization.
Our 1750 IMU is an advanced 6-degrees-of-freedom sensor designed to integrate easily into the most demanding stabilization, pointing, and navigation applications. It offers enhanced performance at a lower cost than competing systems. The 1750 IMU marries the E·Core ThinFiber technology of our DSP-1750 FOGs with very low noise, solid state MEMS accelerometers to create a commercial-off-the-shelf IMU. In September 2014, we introduced our new 1775 IMU and 1725 IMU products to complement the 1750 IMU and provide customers with a range of choices for advanced 6-degrees-of-freedom sensors. The family of IMUs offers exceptional precision in a very small form factor, making them suitable for applications where space is limited, such as manned and unmanned commercial and defense platforms, optical equipment stabilization systems, pipeline inspection equipment, and autonomous vehicle control and navigation systems.
In January 2016, we introduced the GEO-FOG 3D and GEO-FOG 3D Dual inertial navigation systems that offers roll, pitch and heading accuracies of 0.05 degrees for demanding applications in unmanned, autonomous and manned aerial platforms. The product combines our 1750 IMU technology with centimeter-level precise GNSS receivers, a 3-axis magnetometer and a barometric pressure sensor.
Tactical Navigation
Our TACNAV® tactical navigation product line employs digital compass sensors and KVH FOGs to offer vehicle-based navigation and pointing systems with a range of capabilities, including GPS backup and enhancement, vehicle position, hull azimuth and navigation displays. Because our digital compass products measure the earth’s magnetic field rather than detect satellite signals from the GPS, they are not susceptible to GPS jamming devices.
TACNAV systems vary in size and complexity to suit a wide range of vehicles. Our TACNAV Light is a low-cost, digital compass-based battlefield navigation system specifically designed for non-turreted vehicles, such as high mobility multi-wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs) and trucks. Our TACNAV TLS, a digital compass-based tactical navigation and targeting system, offers a FOG upgrade for enhanced accuracy designed for turreted vehicles, including reconnaissance vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and light armored vehicles. Our TACNAV II Fiber Optic Gyro Navigation system offers a compact design, continuous output of heading and pointing data, and a flexible architecture that allows it to function as either a stand-alone navigation module or as the central component of an expanded, multifunctional navigation system. In June 2014, we introduced our new TACNAV 3D product, which is FOG-based and provides full three dimensional navigation. The TACNAV 3D is fitted with an Iridium transceiver to transmit and receive vehicle position, waypoint, and target location to or from a command center or other vehicle. The system also allows messages to be received from battlefield management systems.
Our navigation systems function as standalone tools and also aggregate, integrate, and communicate critical information from a variety of on-board systems. TACNAV can receive data from systems such as the vehicle’s odometer, military and commercial GPS devices, laser rangefinders, turret angle indicators and laser warning systems. TACNAV can also output this data to an on-board computer for retransmission through the vehicle’s communications systems to a digital battlefield management application.

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Our TACNAV digital compass products have been sold for use aboard U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Navy vehicles as well as to many foreign countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Switzerland. We believe that we are among the leading manufacturers of such systems. Our standard TACNAV products can be customized to our customers’ specifications. At customer request, we offer training and other services on a time-and-materials basis.
Value-Added Services
Our value-added services for the guidance and stabilization market include product repairs, engineering services provided under development contracts, and extended warranty sales.
Sales, Marketing and Support
Our sales, marketing and support efforts target markets that are substantial and require dedicated dealers and distributors to reach customers. These channels vary from time to time, but currently include targeted efforts to reach the commercial and leisure maritime markets; the RV, high-end automotive and bus markets; and the commercial, industrial, and government markets. We believe our brands are well known and well respected by customers within their respective niches. These brands include:
TracVision - satellite television systems for vessels and vehicles
TracPhone - two-way satellite communications systems
mini-VSAT Broadband - mobile satellite communications network
IP-MobileCast - content delivery service
NEWSLink - maritime newspapers
Videotel - maritime training content and services
CommBox - network management hardware and software for maritime communications
TACNAV - tactical navigation systems for military vehicles
OneCare - services and support for the mini-VSAT Broadband solution

We sell our mobile satellite communications products directly and through an international network of independent retailers, chain stores and distributors, as well as to manufacturers of vessels and vehicles.
We sell entertainment media content directly through our KVH Media Group, headquartered in Leeds, England, and our training and e-Learning content directly though our Videotel group, which is located in London, England, and Hong Kong.
Our European headquarters, which is located in Denmark, coordinates our sales, marketing, and support efforts for our mobile satellite communications products in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Asian and Australia/New Zealand sales are managed through our offices located in Singapore. All international offices are managed under the oversight of our North American sales and marketing office. See Note 13 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements for information regarding our geographic segments.
We sell our guidance and stabilization products directly to U.S. and foreign governments and government contractors, as well as through an international network of authorized independent sales representatives. This network also sells our FOG products to commercial and industrial customers.
In 2013, purchases of TACNAV products and services by the U.S. Army Program Office - Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG) represented 12% of our total sales.
Backlog
Backlog is not a meaningful indicator for predicting revenue in future periods. Commercial resellers for our mobile satellite communications products and legacy products do not carry extensive inventories and rely on us to ship products quickly. Generally due to the rapid delivery of our commercial products, our backlog for those products is not significant.
Our backlog for all products and services was $19.8 million, $27.3 million, and $20.5 million on December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, $18.0 million of our backlog was scheduled for fulfillment in 2016 and $1.8 million was scheduled for fulfillment in 2017 through 2020. The decrease in backlog of $7.5 million from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015 was primarily a result of shipments made in the fourth quarter of 2015 related to a $19.0 million TACNAV product and services contract, announced in October 2014, with an international military customer for our new FOG-

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based tactical navigation system. The increase in backlog of $6.8 million from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2014 was primarily the result of the same $19.0 million TACNAV product and services contract. The contract includes program management and engineering services expected to be delivered through 2017 and hardware shipments expected to be fulfilled in 2015 and 2016, as well as out-year support services to be provided as part of this order.
Backlog consists of orders evidenced by written agreements and specified delivery dates for customers who are acceptable credit risks. We do not include satellite connectivity or media content service sales in our backlog even though many of our satellite connectivity and media content customers have signed annual or multi-year service contracts providing for a fixed monthly fee. Military orders included in backlog are generally subject to cancellation for the convenience of the customer. When orders are canceled, we generally recover actual costs incurred through the date of cancellation and the costs resulting from termination. As of December 31, 2015, our backlog included approximately $14.0 million in orders that are subject to cancellation for convenience by the customer. Individual orders for guidance and stabilization products are often large and may require procurement of specialized long-lead components and allocation of manufacturing resources. The complexity of planning and executing larger orders generally requires customers to order well in advance of the required delivery date, resulting in backlog.
Intellectual Property
Our ability to compete effectively depends to a significant extent on our ability to protect our proprietary information. We rely primarily on patent, copyright and trade secret laws, confidentiality procedures, and licensing arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. We own 22 U.S. and foreign patents and have 5 additional patent applications that are currently pending. We also register our trademarks in the United States and other key markets where we do business. Our patents will expire at various dates between March 2016 and April 2033. We enter into confidentiality agreements with our consultants, key employees, and sales representatives and maintain controls over access to and distribution of our technology, software, and other proprietary information. The steps we have taken to protect our technology may be inadequate to prevent others from using what we regard as our technology to compete with us.
We do not generally conduct exhaustive patent searches to determine whether the technology used in our products infringes patents held by third parties. In addition, product development is inherently uncertain in a rapidly evolving technological environment in which there may be numerous patent applications pending, many of which are confidential when filed, with regard to similar technologies.
From time to time, we have faced claims by third parties that our products or technologies infringe their patents or other intellectual property rights, and we may face similar claims in the future. Any claim of infringement could cause us to incur substantial costs defending against or settling the claim, even if the claim is invalid, and could distract the attention of our management. If any of our products is found to violate third-party proprietary rights, we may be required to pay substantial damages. In addition, we may be required to re-engineer our products or seek to obtain licenses from third parties to continue to offer our products. Any efforts to re-engineer our products or obtain licenses on commercially reasonable terms may not be successful, which would prevent us from selling our products, and, in any case, could substantially increase our costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing operations for our mobile satellite communications and navigation products consist of light manufacture, final assembly and testing. Manufacturing operations for our FOG products are more complex. We produce specialized optical fiber, FOG components and sensing coils and combine them with components purchased from outside vendors for assembly into finished goods. We own optical fiber drawing towers with which we produce the specialized optical fiber that we use in all of our FOG products. Excluding the CommBox product, which we manufacture in Norway, we manufacture, warehouse and distribute our mobile satellite communications products at our facilities in Middletown, Rhode Island. We manufacture our navigation and FOG products in our facility located in Tinley Park, Illinois.
We contract with third parties for fabrication and assembly of printed circuit boards, injection-molded plastic parts, machined metal components, connectors and housings. We believe there are a number of acceptable vendors for the components we purchase. We regularly evaluate both domestic and foreign suppliers for quality, dependability and cost effectiveness. In some instances we utilize sole-source suppliers to develop strategic relationships to enhance the quality of materials and save costs. Our manufacturing processes are controlled by an ISO 9001:2008-certified quality standards program.

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For subscribers of the Videotel maritime safety video and computer-based training modules, we provide computer hardware preloaded with the content (“VOD kiosk”), which is updated annually by DVD.  We use two contract manufacturers in the United Kingdom to supply the VOD kiosks, which eliminates the dependence on one vendor.

Competition

We encounter significant competition in all of our markets, and we expect this competition to intensify in the future. Many of our primary competitors are well-established companies and some have substantially greater financial, managerial, technical, marketing, operational, and other resources than we do.

In the marine market for satellite TV equipment, we compete primarily with Intellian, Cobham SATCOM, Orbit Communication Systems, RayMarine (Intellian made), KNS, and Sea King (King Controls).
In the marine market for voice, fax, data, and Internet communications equipment, we compete primarily with Intellian, Cobham SATCOM, Orbit Communication Systems, Jotron AS, KNS Inc., Inmarsat, AddValue, and Iridium Satellite LLC.
In the marine market for voice, fax, data, and Internet services, we compete primarily with Inmarsat, Globalstar LP, and Iridium Satellite LLC. We also face competition from providers of marine satellite data services and maritime VSAT solutions, including Inmarsat (which has successfully launched three Ka-band satellites that will deliver its new Global Xpress service and has announced that it anticipates offering commercial service early in the second quarter of 2016), Marlink, MTN/SeaMobile, Speedcast, and Harris CapRock.
In the market for land mobile satellite TV equipment, we compete primarily with King Controls and Winegard Company.
In the markets for media content, we compete primarily with Swank Motion Pictures and PressReader.
In the markets for safety and e-Learning content, we compete primarily with Seagull AS.
In the markets for mobile satellite communications technology, the principal competitive factors are product size, features, design, performance, reliability, and price. In the markets for airtime services, the principal competitive factors are geographic coverage, data speed, value-added services, and price. In the markets for media content, the principal competitive factors are license rights, distribution, and price.
In the guidance and stabilization markets, we compete primarily with Honeywell International Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Goodrich Aerospace, IAI, Fizoptica, SAGEM, and Systron Donner Inertial. We believe the principal competitive factors in these markets are performance, size, reliability, durability, and price.
Research and Development
Focused investments in research and development are critical to our future growth and competitive position in the marketplace. Our research and development efforts are directly related to timely development of new and enhanced products and services that are central to our core business strategy. The industries in which we compete are subject to rapid technological developments, evolving industry standards, changes in customer requirements, and new product and service introductions and enhancements. As a result, our success depends in part upon our ability, on a cost-effective and timely basis, to continue to enhance our existing products and to develop and introduce new products and services that improve performance and meet customers’ operational and cost requirements. Our current research and development efforts include projects to achieve additional cost reductions in our products and the development of new products and services for our existing marine and land mobile communications markets, and navigation, guidance, and stabilization application markets. For example:
In April 2015, we launched our new TracVision TV8 products designed to provide the tracking, reception and extended coverage area needed for yachts and merchant vessels calling in ports all around the world.
In November 2015, we updated our IP-MobileCast content delivery service with subtitle languages for movies and more accessible menus and program guides on vessels' set-top boxes.
In January 2016, we launched our GEO-FOG 3D and GEO-FOG 3D Dual inertial navigation systems, which combine KVH's FOG-based 1750 IMU's with GPS for demanding applications

Our research and development activities consist of projects funded by us and projects funded with the assistance of customer-funded contract research. Our customer-funded research efforts are made up of contracts with defense and OEM

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customers, whose performance specifications are unique to their product applications. Defense and OEM research often results in new product offerings. We strive to be the first company to bring a new product to market, and we use our own funds to accelerate new product development efforts.
Government Regulation
Our manufacturing operations are subject to various laws governing the protection of the environment and our employees. These laws and regulations are subject to change, and any such change may require us to improve our technologies, incur expenditures, or both, in order to comply with such laws and regulations.
We are subject to compliance with the U.S. Export Administration Regulations. Some of our products have military or strategic applications and are on the Munitions List of the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations. These products require an individual validated license to be exported to certain jurisdictions. The length of time involved in the licensing process varies and can result in delays of the shipping of the products. Sales of our products to either the U.S. government or its prime contractors are subject to the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations.
We are also subject to the laws and regulations of the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions in which we offer and sell our satellite communication products and services, including those of the European Union, Brazil, Norway, Singapore, and Japan. These laws and regulations, as well as the interpretation and application of these laws and regulations, are subject to change and any such change may affect our ability to offer and sell existing and planned satellite communications products and services.
Employees
On December 31, 2015, we employed 567 full-time employees. We also employ part-time employees as well as temporary or contract personnel, when necessary, to provide short-term and/or specialized support for production and other functional projects.
We believe our future success will depend upon the continued service of our key technical and senior management personnel and upon our continued ability to attract and retain highly qualified technical and managerial personnel. None of our employees is represented by a labor union. We have never experienced a work stoppage and consider our relationship with our employees to be good.


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ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating our business. If any of these risks, or other risks not presently known to us or that we currently believe are not significant, develops into an actual event, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. If that happens, the market price of our common stock could decline.
Our revenues and results of operations have been and may continue to be adversely impacted by worldwide economic turmoil, credit tightening and associated declines in consumer spending.
Worldwide economic conditions have experienced significant turmoil over the last several years, including slower economic activity, tightened credit markets, inflation and deflation concerns, decreased consumer confidence, reduced corporate profits, reduced or canceled capital spending, adverse business conditions, and liquidity concerns. These conditions make it difficult for businesses, governments and consumers to accurately forecast and plan future activities. Many governments are experiencing significant deficits that have caused and may continue to cause them to curtail spending significantly and/or reallocate funds away from defense programs. There can be no assurances that government responses to the disruptions in the economy will remedy these problems. As a result of these and other factors, customers could continue to slow or suspend spending on our products and services. We may also incur increased credit losses and need to further increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, which would have a negative impact on our earnings and financial condition.
We cannot predict the timing, duration, or ultimate impact of the turmoil in our markets. We expect our business to continue to be adversely impacted by this turmoil, particularly in Europe and South America.
Declining oil prices may continue to adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Oil prices have undergone a significant and sustained decline during 2015 and continuing into 2016. Customers of our mobile satellite business include offshore support vessels companies that participate in, or are dependent upon, the offshore oil industry. The declines in worldwide oil prices have had a significant impact on the financial performance of companies in this sector of the economy, and as a result demand for new products and services has declined severely during and since 2015 as they have sought to reduce expenditures. In addition, we have experienced a higher customer churn rate primarily attributed to customers that operate in this sector, where the sale or decommissioning of vessels has led to a higher rate of airtime plan terminations. These trends could continue to limit or reduce demand for our satellite antenna products and airtime services from companies in this sector, which could continue to adversely affect our revenues and profitability.
Our financial performance is impacted by U.S. government contracts, which are subject to uncertain levels of funding and termination.
We have historically sold a substantial portion of our TACNAV and FOG systems and we currently sell tactical navigation products and services to the U.S. government and its contractors. A reduction in sales to the U.S. government or its contractors, whether due to lack of funding, for convenience or otherwise, or the occurrence of delays, could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Further, the funding of U.S. government programs is subject to congressional appropriations. Congress generally appropriates funds on a fiscal year basis even though a program may extend over several fiscal years. Consequently, programs are often only partially funded initially and additional funds are committed only as Congress makes further appropriations. If appropriations for any program in which we participate become unavailable, or are reduced or delayed, our contract or subcontract under such program may be terminated or adjusted by the government, which could have a negative impact on our future sales under such contract or subcontract. When a formal appropriation bill has not been signed into law before the end of the U.S. government's fiscal year, which has become more frequent in recent years, Congress may pass a continuing resolution that authorizes agencies of the U.S. government to continue to operate, generally at the same funding levels from the prior year, but that typically does not authorize new spending initiatives, during this period. Appropriations can also be impacted by other budgetary considerations, such as failure to increase the statutory debt ceiling of the U.S. government. During such periods (or until the regular appropriation bills are passed), delays can occur in procurement of products and services due to lack of funding, and these delays can affect our results of operations during the period of delay.
Appropriations can also be affected by legislation that addresses larger budgetary issues of the U.S. government. For example, future federal sequestration measures could continue to adversely affect federal spending across the U.S. government, including the Department of Defense, and we expect that these measures will continue to limit or reduce defense spending.
In addition, U.S. government contracts generally also permit the government to terminate the contract, in whole or in part, without prior notice, at the government's convenience or for default based on performance. Government customers can

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also decline to exercise previously disclosed contract options. If one of our contracts is terminated for convenience, we would generally be entitled to payments for our allowable costs and would receive some allowance for profit on the work performed. If one of our contracts is terminated for default, we would generally be entitled to payments for our work that has been accepted by the government. A termination arising out of our default could expose us to liability and adversely affect our ability to obtain future contracts and orders. Furthermore, on contracts for which we are a subcontractor and not the prime contractor, the U.S. government could terminate the prime contract for convenience or otherwise, irrespective of our performance as a subcontractor.
We must generate a certain level of sales of the TracPhone V-IP series products and our mini-VSAT Broadband service in order to maintain or improve our service gross margins.
As a result of our mini-VSAT Broadband network infrastructure, our cost of service sales includes certain fixed costs that do not generally vary with the volume of service sales, and we have almost no ability to reduce these fixed costs in the short term. These fixed costs have increased significantly each year as we have further expanded our network to accommodate additional subscriber demand and/or coverage areas, and we expect that this trend will continue in 2016 and beyond. If sales of our TracPhone V-IP series products and the mini-VSAT Broadband service do not generate the level of revenue that we expect or decline, our service gross margins may decline. As our market share has increased, we have also experienced a general increase in customer termination rates, compounded by accelerated declines in sales for vessels servicing the oil supply market, and lower unit sales of our mobile communications hardware, both in the United States and Europe. The failure to improve our mini-VSAT Broadband service gross margins and unit sales would have a material adverse effect on our overall profitability.
Competition may limit our ability to sell our mobile communications products and services and guidance and stabilization products.
The mobile communications markets and defense navigation, and guidance and stabilization markets in which we participate are very competitive, and we expect this competition to persist and intensify in the future. We may not be able to compete successfully against current and future competitors, which could impair our ability to sell our products. For example, improvements in the performance of lower cost gyros by competitors could potentially jeopardize sales of our FOGs and FOG-based systems. As our market share in the mobile satellite communications market has grown, competition has intensified significantly, most notably from companies that seek to compete primarily on price. These companies may continue to implement price reductions and discounts for both products and services, which have required us to reduce our prices or offer discounts in order to maintain or increase our market share. We anticipate that this trend of substantial competition will continue.
In the marine market for satellite TV equipment, we compete primarily with Intellian, Cobham SATCOM, Orbit Communication Systems, RayMarine (Intellian made), KNS, and Sea King (King Controls).
In the marine market for voice, fax, data, and Internet communications equipment, we compete primarily with Intellian, Cobham SATCOM, Orbit Communication Systems, Jotron AS, KNS Inc., Inmarsat, AddValue, and Iridium Satellite LLC.
In the marine market for voice, fax, data, and Internet services, we compete primarily with Inmarsat, Globalstar LP, and Iridium Satellite LLC. We also face competition from providers of marine satellite data services and maritime VSAT solutions, including Inmarsat (and its recently launched Global Xpress service), Marlink, MTN/SeaMobile, Speedcast, and CapRock. We believe that certain customers have deferred purchase decisions in anticipation of the Global Xpress rollout, which is reducing demand in this market.
In the market for land mobile satellite TV equipment, we compete primarily with King Controls and Winegard Company.
In the markets for media content, the KVH Media Group competes primarily with Swank Motion Pictures and NewspaperDirect, and Videotel competes with Seagull AS.
In the guidance and stabilization markets, we compete primarily with Honeywell International Inc., Northrop Grumman Corporation, Goodrich Aerospace, IAI, Fizoptica, SAGEM, and Systron Donner Inertial.
Among the factors that may affect our ability to compete in our markets are the following:
many of our primary competitors are well-established companies that generally have substantially greater financial, managerial, technical, marketing, personnel and other resources than we do, which help them to compete more effectively in the market for mobile broadband solutions for larger fleets of vessels;
product and service improvements, new product and service developments or price reductions by competitors may weaken customer acceptance of, and reduce demand for, our products and services;

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new technology or market trends may disrupt or displace a need for our products and services;
our competitors may have access to a broader array of media content than we do, which may cause customers to prefer competitors’ media offerings; and
our competitors may have lower production costs than we do, which may enable them to compete more aggressively in offering discounts and other promotions.

The emergence of a competing small maritime VSAT antenna and complementary service or other similar service could reduce the competitive advantage we believe we currently enjoy with our smaller TracPhone V-IP series antennas and Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband service, or with our C/Ku-band mini-VSAT Broadband service and our TracPhone V11-IP antenna.
Our TracPhone V3-IP and V7-IP systems offer customers a range of benefits due to their integrated design, hardware costs that are lower than existing maritime Ku-band VSAT systems, and spread spectrum technology. We currently compete against companies that offer established maritime Ku-band VSAT service using, in some cases, antennas 1-meter in diameter or larger. While we are unaware of any company offering a 37-cm VSAT solution comparable to our TracPhone V3-IP, we are encountering regional competition from companies offering 60-cm VSAT systems and services, which are comparable in size to our TracPhone V7-IP. Likewise, our TracPhone V11-IP, at 1.1-meter in diameter, is approximately 85% smaller and lighter than competing C-band maritime VSAT systems, which uses antennas in excess of 2.4-meters in diameter to provide similar global services. We are unaware of any competitor currently offering a similar size solution for global C-band coverage, but any introduction of such a product could adversely impact our success. In addition, other companies could replicate some of the distinguishing features of our TracPhone V-IP series products, which could potentially reduce the appeal of our solution, increase price competition, and adversely affect sales. For example, Inmarsat has recently launched its Global Xpress service, a new global Ka-band mobile VSAT service that Inmarsat claims will be faster and have a lower price per megabit than existing Ku-band services. This service may adversely impact sales of our mini-VSAT Broadband service and related equipment. Moreover, consumers may choose other services such as FleetBroadband or Iridium OpenPort for their service coverage at potentially lower hardware costs despite higher service costs and slower data rates.
If we are unable to improve our existing mobile communications and guidance and stabilization products and services and develop new, innovative products and services, our sales and market share may decline.
The markets for mobile communications products and services and guidance and stabilization products and services are each characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product innovations, changes in customer requirements and expectations, and evolving industry standards. If we fail to make innovations in our existing products and services and reduce the costs of our products and services in a timely way, our market share may decline. For example, the introductions of our new TracVision TV-series antennas in 2014 occurred later than we had anticipated, which we believe led certain customers to purchase competing products. Products or services using new technologies, or emerging industry standards, could render our products and services obsolete. If our competitors successfully introduce new or enhanced products or services that eliminate technological advantages our products or services may have in a market or otherwise outperform our products or services, or are perceived by consumers as doing so, we may be unable to compete successfully in the markets affected by these changes. For competitive reasons, last year we increased warranty coverage for certain of our mobile communications products to include an additional year of labor coverage and other benefits, which could increase our costs and impair our profitability.
The purchasing and delivery schedules and priorities of the U.S. military and foreign governments are often unpredictable.
We sell our FOG systems and tactical navigation products and services to U.S. and foreign military and government customers, either directly or as a subcontractor to other contractors. These customers often use a competitive bidding process and have unique purchasing and delivery requirements, which often makes the timing of sales to these customers unpredictable. Factors that affect their purchasing and delivery decisions include:
increasing budgetary pressures, which may reduce or delay funding for military programs;
changes in modernization plans for military equipment;
changes in tactical navigation requirements;
global conflicts impacting troop deployment, including troop withdrawals from the Middle East and Afghanistan;
priorities for current battlefield operations;
new military and operational doctrines that affect military equipment needs;
sales cycles that are long and difficult to predict;

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shifting response time and/or delays in the approval process associated with the export licenses we must obtain prior to the international shipment of certain of our military products;
delays in military procurement schedules; and
delays in the testing and acceptance of our products, including delays resulting from changes in customer specifications.

These factors periodically cause substantial fluctuations in sales of our TACNAV and FOG products from period to period. For example, sales of our FOG products decreased $1.6 million, or 8%, from 2014 to 2015. Similarly, TACNAV service sales decreased $0.8 million, or 21%, from 2014 to 2015, while sales of our TACNAV products decreased $3.6 million, or 20%, from 2014 to 2015. However, in October 2014, we received a $19.0 million TACNAV product and services contract with an international military customer which include program management and engineering services expected to be delivered through 2017 and hardware shipments expected to be fulfilled in 2016, as well as out-year support services to be provided as part of this order. These large orders contribute to the unpredictability of our revenues from period to period. Government customers may change defense spending priorities at any time.

Sales of our FOG systems and TACNAV products generally consist of a few large orders, and the delay or cancellation of a single order could substantially reduce our net sales.
    
KVH products sold to customers in the defense industry are purchased through orders that can generally range in size from several hundred thousand dollars to more than thirty million dollars. For example, we received orders for TACNAV products and services of $1.3 million, $1.4 million, $1.5 million, $4.3 million, $19.0 million, $5.2 million, $7.2 million, $35.6 million, and $2.8 million in November 2015, September 2015, May 2015, November 2014, October 2014, May 2014, January 2013, September 2012, and September 2012, respectively. Orders of this size are often unpredictable and difficult to replicate. As a result, the delay or cancellation of a single order could materially reduce our net sales and results of operations. We periodically experience repeated and unanticipated delays in defense orders, which make our revenues and operating results less predictable. Because our guidance and stabilization products typically have relatively higher product gross margins than our mobile communications products, the loss of an order for guidance and stabilization products could have a disproportionately adverse effect on our results of operations.

Only a few customers account for a substantial portion of our defense navigation and guidance and stabilization revenues, and the loss of any of these customers could substantially reduce our net sales.
We derive a significant portion of our guidance and stabilization revenues from a small number of customers, many of whom are contractors for the U.S. government. In October 2014, we received a $19.0 million TACNAV product and services contract from an international military customer which includes program management and engineering services expected to be delivered through 2017 and hardware shipments that were partially fulfilled in 2015 with the remainder expected to be fulfilled in 2016 as well as out-year support services to be provided as part of this order. The loss of business from any of these customers could substantially reduce our net sales and results of operations and could seriously harm our business. Since we are often awarded a contract as a subcontractor to a major defense supplier that is engaged in a competitive bidding process as prime contractor for a major weapons procurement program, our revenues depend significantly on the success of the prime contractors with which we align ourselves.
Commercial sales of our guidance and stabilization products are unpredictable.
Fluctuating commercial sales of our guidance and stabilization products are making it more difficult to predict our future revenues. We have been marketing our guidance and stabilization products, particularly our FOG products and systems, to original equipment manufacturers for incorporation into commercial products, such as navigation and positioning systems for various applications, including precision mapping, dynamic surveying, autonomous vehicles, train location control and track geometry measurement systems, industrial robotics, and optical stabilization. Because we sell these products to original equipment manufacturers rather than end-users, we have less information about market trends and other developments affecting the buying patterns of end-users and, as a result, may be unable to forecast demand for these products accurately. Sales of FOGs for commercial applications decreased from 2014 to 2015; however, sales can significantly increase or decrease quarter-to-quarter due to our customer mix. Moreover, sales of these products for commercial applications depend on the success of our customers’ products, and any decline in sales of our customers’ products would reduce demand for our products.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected by unseasonably cold weather, prolonged winter conditions, disasters or similar events.

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Our marine leisure business is highly seasonal, and seasonality can also impact our commercial marine business. Historically, we have generated the majority of our marine leisure product revenues during the first and second quarters of each year, and these revenues typically decline in the third and fourth quarters of each year, compared to the first two quarters. Temporary suspensions of our airtime services typically increase in the third and fourth quarters of each year as boats are placed out of service during winter months. Our marine leisure business is also significantly affected by the weather. Unseasonably cool weather, prolonged winter conditions, hurricanes, unusual amounts of rain, and natural and other disasters may decrease boating, which could reduce our revenues. Specifically, we may encounter a decrease in new airtime activations as well as an increase in the number of cancellations or temporary suspensions of our airtime service.
We could derive an increasing portion of our revenues from commercial leases of mobile communications equipment, rather than sales, which could increase our credit and collection risk.
We are actively seeking to increase revenues from the commercial markets for our mini-VSAT Broadband service, particularly shipping companies and other companies that deploy a fleet of vessels. In marketing this service, we offer leasing arrangements for the TracPhone antennas to both commercial and leisure customers. If commercial leases become increasingly popular with our customers, we could face increased risks of default under those leases. Defaults could increase our costs of collection (including costs of retrieving or abandoning leased equipment) and reduce the amount we collect from customers, which could harm our results of operations. Moreover, fleet sales are likely to be less common than, and perhaps substantially larger than, our typical orders, which could lead to increased variability in our quarterly revenues and gross margin realization.
Our ability to compete in the maritime airtime services market may be impaired if we are unable to provide sufficient service capacity to meet customer demand.
The TracPhone V-IP series products and our mini-VSAT Broadband service offer a range of benefits to mariners, especially in commercial markets, due to the smaller size antenna and faster, more affordable airtime. We currently offer service in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Australian and New Zealand waters. In the future, we may need to expand capacity in existing coverage areas to support an expanding subscriber base. If we are unable to reach agreement with third-party satellite providers to support the mini-VSAT Broadband service and its spread spectrum technology or transponder capacity is unavailable should we need to increase our capacity to meet growing demand in a given region, our ability to support vessels and aeronautical applications globally will be at risk and could reduce the attractiveness of our products and services to these customers.
Tight credit availability, environmental concerns and ongoing low levels of consumer confidence are adversely affecting sales of our mobile satellite TV products.
Factors such as tight credit, environmental protection laws and ongoing low levels of consumer confidence can materially and adversely affect sales of larger vehicles and vessels for which our mobile satellite TV products are designed. Many customers finance their purchases of these vehicles and vessels, and tightened credit availability can reduce demand for both these vehicles and vessels and our mobile satellite TV products. Moreover, in the current credit markets, financing for these purchases has sometimes been unavailable or more difficult to obtain. The increased cost of operating these vehicles and vessels can adversely affect demand for our mobile satellite TV products. Recent declines in oil prices may not result in any material increase in demand.
Our business has substantial indebtedness, which could restrict our business opportunities.
We currently have, and will likely continue to have, a substantial amount of indebtedness. Our indebtedness could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt obligations, require us to use a large portion of our cash flow from operations to repay and service our debt or otherwise create liquidity problems, limit our flexibility to adjust to market conditions, place us at a competitive disadvantage and expose us to interest rate fluctuations. As of December 31, 2015, we had total debt outstanding of $64.7 million, which included $58.9 million in aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding under our term note that matures in 2019.
We expect to obtain the money to pay our expenses and pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness from cash flow from our operations and potentially from other debt or equity offerings. Accordingly, our ability to meet our obligations depends on our future performance and capital raising activities, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. If our cash flow and capital resources prove inadequate to allow us to pay the principal and interest on our debt and meet our other obligations, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations, restructure or refinance our debt, which we may be unable to do on

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acceptable terms, and forego attractive business opportunities. In addition, the terms of our existing or future debt agreements may restrict us from pursuing any of these alternatives.
The agreements governing our indebtedness subject us to various restrictions that may limit our ability to pursue business opportunities.
The agreements governing our indebtedness subject us to various restrictions on our ability to engage in certain activities, including, among other things, our ability to:
acquire other businesses or make investments;
raise additional capital;
incur additional debt or create liens on our assets;
pay dividends or make distributions;
prepay indebtedness; and
merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate, or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.

These restrictions may limit or restrict our cash flow and our ability to pursue business opportunities or strategies that we would otherwise consider to be in our best interests.

Our secured credit facility contains certain financial and other restrictive covenants that we may not satisfy, and that, if not satisfied, could result in the acceleration of the amounts due under our secured credit facility and the limitation of our ability to borrow additional funds in the future.
The agreements governing our secured credit facility subject us to various financial and other restrictive covenants with which we must comply on an ongoing or periodic basis. These include covenants pertaining to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, covenants requiring the mandatory prepayment of amounts outstanding under the term loan and the revolver under specified circumstances, including (i) 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain dispositions to the extent not reinvested in our business within a stated period, (ii) 50% of the net cash proceeds from stated equity issuances, and (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain receipts of more than $250,000 outside the ordinary course of business, and limits on capital expenditures. If we violate any of these covenants, we may suffer a material adverse effect. Most notably, our outstanding debt under our secured credit facility could become immediately due and payable, our lenders could proceed against any collateral securing such indebtedness, and our ability to borrow additional funds in the future could be limited or terminated. Alternatively, we could be forced to refinance or renegotiate the terms and conditions of our secured credit facility, including the interest rates, financial and restrictive covenants and security requirements of the secured credit facility, on terms that may be significantly less favorable to us.
A default under agreements governing our indebtedness could result in a default and acceleration of indebtedness under other agreements.
Certain agreements governing our indebtedness contain cross-default provisions whereby a default under one agreement could result in a default and acceleration of our repayment obligations under other agreements. If a cross-default were to occur, we may not be able to pay our debts or borrow sufficient funds to refinance them. Even if new financing were available, it may not be available on acceptable terms. If some or all of our indebtedness is in default for any reason, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Our mobile satellite products currently depend on satellite services and facilities provided by third parties, and a disruption in those services could adversely affect sales.
Our satellite antenna products include the equipment necessary to utilize satellite services; we do not own the satellites to directly provide two-way satellite communications. We currently offer satellite television products compatible with the DIRECTV and DISH Network services in the United States, the Bell TV service in Canada, the Sky Mexico service and various other regional satellite TV services in other parts of the world.
SES, Eutelsat, Sky Perfect-JSAT, Telesat, EchoStar, Intelsat and Star One currently provide the satellite capacity to support the mini-VSAT Broadband service and our TracPhone V-IP series products. Intelsat also currently provides our C-Band satellite coverage. In addition, we have agreements with various teleports and Internet service providers around the globe to support the mini-VSAT Broadband service. We rely on Inmarsat for satellite communications services for our FleetBroadband and FleetOne compatible TracPhone products.

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If customers become dissatisfied with the programming, pricing, service, availability or other aspects of any of these satellite services, or if any one or more of these services becomes unavailable for any reason, we could suffer a substantial decline in sales of our satellite products. There may be no alternative service provider available in a particular geographic area, and our modem or other technology may not be compatible with the technology of any alternative service provider that may be available. In addition, the unexpected failure of a satellite could disrupt the availability of programming and services, which could reduce the demand for, or customer satisfaction with, our products.
We rely upon spread spectrum communications technology developed by ViaSat and transmitted by third-party satellite providers to permit two-way broadband Internet via our TracPhone V-IP series antennas, and any disruption in the availability of this technology could adversely affect sales.
Our mini-VSAT Broadband service relies on spread spectrum technology developed by ViaSat, Inc., for use with satellite capacity controlled by SES, Eutelsat, Sky Perfect-JSAT, Telesat, Echostar, Intelsat and Star One. Our TracPhone two-way broadband satellite terminals combine our stabilized antenna technology with ViaSat’s ArcLight spread spectrum mobile broadband technology, along with ViaSat’s ArcLight spread spectrum modem. The ArcLight technology is also integrated within the satellite hubs that support this service. Sales of the TracPhone V-IP series products and our mini-VSAT Broadband service could be disrupted if we fail to receive approval from regulatory authorities to provide our spread spectrum service in the waters of various countries where our customers operate or if there are issues with the availability of the ArcLight maritime modems. Moreover, over the course of our ten-year agreement with ViaSat, which expires in 2018, satellite communications technology may continue to evolve, which could reduce the relative attractiveness of the technology we currently offer, and our technology may cease to be compatible with changes in satellite service offerings. If we were to seek to, or required to, transition to any new technology, we may encounter technological challenges, increased expenses, customer dissatisfaction, inventory obsolescence, interruptions in supply, disruptions in current relationships or arrangements and unforeseen obstacles, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our mobile satellite business, revenues and profitability.
We have single dedicated manufacturing facilities for each of our mobile communications and guidance and stabilization product categories, and any significant disruption to a facility could impair our ability to deliver our products.
Excluding the products manufactured by Videotel, which we manufacture in the United Kingdom, we currently manufacture all of our mobile communications products at our manufacturing facility in Middletown, Rhode Island, and the majority of our guidance and stabilization products at our facility in Tinley Park, Illinois. Some of our production processes are complex, and we may be unable to respond rapidly to the loss of the use of either production facility. For example, our production facilities use some specialized equipment that may take time to replace if they are damaged or become unusable for any reason. In that event, shipments would be delayed, which could result in customer or dealer dissatisfaction, loss of sales and damage to our reputation. Finally, we have only a limited capability to increase our manufacturing capacity in the short term. If short-term demand for our products exceeds our manufacturing capacity, our inability to fulfill orders in a timely manner could also lead to customer or dealer dissatisfaction, loss of sales and damage to our reputation.
We depend on sole or limited source suppliers, and any disruption in supply could impair our ability to deliver our products on time or at expected cost.
We obtain many key components for our products from third-party suppliers, and in some cases we use a single or a limited number of suppliers. Any interruption in supply could impair our ability to deliver our products until we identify and qualify a new source of supply, which could take several weeks, months or longer and could increase our costs significantly. Suppliers might change or discontinue key components, which could require us to modify our product designs. For example, in the past, we have experienced changes in the chemicals used to coat our optical fiber, which changed its characteristics and thereby necessitated design modifications. Department of Defense regulations requiring government contractors to implement processes to avoid counterfeit parts may require us to find new sources of materials or components if the current supplier cannot meet the requirements. In general, we do not have written long-term supply agreements with our suppliers but instead purchase components through purchase orders, which expose us to potential price increases and termination of supply without notice or recourse. It is generally not our practice to carry significant inventories of product components, and this could magnify the impact of the loss of a supplier. If we are required to use a new source of materials or components, it could also result in unexpected manufacturing difficulties and could affect product performance and reliability. In addition, from time to time, lead times for certain components can increase significantly due to imbalances in overall market supply and demand. This, in turn, could limit our ability to satisfy the demand for certain of our products on a timely basis and could result in some customer orders being rescheduled or canceled.

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We may continue to increase the use of international suppliers to source components for our manufacturing operations, which could disrupt our business.
Although we have historically manufactured and sourced raw materials for the majority of our products domestically, in order for us to compete with lower priced competing products while also improving our profitability, in some instances we have found it desirable to source raw materials and manufactured components and assemblies from Europe, Asia, and South America. Reliance on foreign manufacturing and/or raw material supply has lengthened our supply chain and increased the risk that a disruption in that supply chain could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial performance.
Adverse economic conditions could result in financial difficulties or bankruptcy for any of our suppliers, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
The significant downturn in worldwide economic conditions and credit tightening could present challenges to our suppliers, which could result in disruptions to our business, increase our costs, delay shipment of our products or delivery of services, and impair our ability to generate and recognize revenue. To address their own business challenges, our suppliers may increase prices, reduce the availability of credit, require deposits or advance payments or take other actions that may impose a burden on us.
They may also reduce production capacity, slow or delay delivery of products, face challenges meeting our specifications or otherwise fail to meet our requirements. In some cases, our suppliers may face bankruptcy. We may be required to identify, qualify, and engage new suppliers, which would require time and the attention of management. Any of these events could impair our ability to deliver our products and services to customers in a timely and cost-effective manner, cause us to breach our contractual commitments or result in the loss of customers.
Our media and entertainment business relies on licensing arrangements with content providers, and the loss of or changes in those arrangements could adversely affect our business.
We distribute premium news, sports, movies, and music content for commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets. We do not generate this content but instead license the content from third parties on a non-exclusive basis. We do not have long-term license agreements with any content provider. Accordingly, any content provider could terminate our existing arrangements with little or no advance notice or could adversely modify the terms of the arrangement, including potential price increases. Further, the licenses we obtain are limited in scope, and any violation of the terms of a license could expose us to liability for copyright infringement. We pay license fees that are based in part on the revenue we generate from sublicenses, and our licensors generally have the right to audit our records to determine whether we have paid all necessary license fees. Failure to pay required license fees could result in termination of our license rights, penalties, or damages. The loss of content could adversely affect the attractiveness of our media and entertainment offerings, which could adversely affect our revenues. Any increase in the cost of content could reduce the profitability of these offerings.
Any failure to maintain and expand our third-party distribution relationships may limit our ability to penetrate markets for mobile communications products and services.
We market and sell our mobile communications products and services through an international network of independent retailers, chain stores and distributors, as well as to manufacturers of marine vessels, recreational vehicles and buses. If we are unable to maintain or improve our distribution relationships, it could significantly limit our sales. Some of our distribution relationships are new, and our new distributors may not be successful in marketing and selling our products and services. In addition, our distribution partners may sell products of other companies, including competing products, and are generally not required to purchase minimum quantities of our products.
Our international business operations expose us to a number of difficulties in coordinating our activities abroad and in dealing with multiple regulatory environments.
Historically, sales to customers outside the United States have accounted for a significant portion of our net sales, and our acquisitions of Videotel in July 2014 and Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) in May 2013 increased our sales in new foreign markets. We derived 48%, 41%, and 46% of our revenues in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, from sales to customers outside the United States. We have foreign sales offices in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Norway, and Cyprus, as well as a subsidiary in Brazil that manages local sales. However, aside from these international sales offices, substantially all of our personnel and operations, particularly for our mobile satellite communications equipment business and our guidance and stabilization business, are located in the United States. Our limited operations in foreign countries may impair our ability to compete successfully in international markets and

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to meet the service and support needs of our customers in countries where we have little to no infrastructure. We are subject to a number of risks associated with our international business activities, which may increase our costs and require significant management attention. Our acquisitions of Videotel and Headland Media Limited (now known as KVH Media Group) have augmented these risks. These risks include:
technical challenges we may face in adapting our mobile communications products to function with different satellite services and technology in use in various regions around the world;
satisfaction of international regulatory requirements and delays and costs associated with procurement of any necessary licenses or permits;
the potential unavailability of content licenses covering international waters and foreign locations;
restrictions on the sale of certain guidance and stabilization products to foreign military and government customers;
increased costs of providing customer support in multiple languages;
increased costs of managing operations that are international in scope;
potentially adverse tax consequences, including restrictions on the repatriation of earnings;
protectionist laws and business practices that favor local competitors, which could slow our growth in international markets;
potentially longer sales cycles, which could slow our revenue growth from international sales;
potentially longer accounts receivable payment cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; and
economic and political instability in some international markets.

Changes in foreign currency exchange rates may negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Because of the scope of our foreign sales and foreign operations, we face significant exposure to movements in exchange rates for foreign currencies, particularly the British pound sterling and the euro. During recent months, the U.S. dollar has strengthened against relevant foreign currencies, which decreases our revenues reported in U.S. dollars and decreases the reported value of our assets in foreign countries. However, if the U.S. dollar weakens, our revenues reported in U.S. dollars, as well as the reported value of our assets in foreign countries, would be commensurately higher. Moreover, certain of our products and services are sold internationally in U.S. dollars; as the U.S. dollar strengthens, the relative cost of these products and services to customers located in foreign countries increases, which adversely affects sales. In addition, most of our financial obligations, including payments under our outstanding debt obligations, must be satisfied in U.S. dollars. Our exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates may change over time as our business practices evolve and could result in increased costs or reduced revenue and could adversely affect our cash flow. Changes in the relative values of currencies occur regularly and may have a significant impact on our operating results. We cannot predict with any certainty changes in foreign currency exchange rates or the degree to which we can cost-effectively mitigate this exposure.
We could incur additional legal compliance costs associated with our international operations and could become subject to legal penalties if we do not comply with certain regulations.
As a result of our expanding international operations, we are subject to a number of legal requirements, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act and the customs, export, trade sanctions and anti-boycott laws of the United States, including those administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Treasury Department, as well as those of other nations in which we do business. Compliance with these laws and regulations is complex and involves significant costs. These risks are heightened for acquired businesses that have historically been managed outside the United States, where these laws and regulations may not have applied to the same extent. Our assessment of compliance with these laws and regulations by businesses that we have acquired may not have uncovered instances of non-compliance, and we may face liability for such non-compliance. In addition, our training and compliance programs and our other internal control policies may be insufficient to protect us from acts committed by our employees, agents or third-party contractors. Any violation of these requirements by us or our employees, agents or third-party contractors may subject us to significant criminal and civil liability.
Exports of certain guidance and stabilization products are subject to the U.S. Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and require a license from the U.S. Department of State prior to shipment.
We must comply with the United States Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, or ITAR. Certain of our products have military or strategic applications and are on the munitions list of the ITAR and require an individual validated license in order to be exported to certain jurisdictions. Any changes in export regulations or

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reclassifications of our products may further restrict the export of our products, and we may cease to be able to procure export licenses for our products under existing regulations. The length of time required by the licensing process can vary, potentially delaying the shipment of products and the recognition of the corresponding revenue. Any restriction on the export of a product line or any amount of our products could cause a significant reduction in net sales.
Acquisitions may disrupt our operations or adversely affect our results.
We evaluate strategic acquisition opportunities to acquire other businesses as they arise, such as our acquisitions of Videotel in July 2014 and Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) in May 2013. The expenses we incur evaluating and pursuing these and other such acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. For example, during 2014, we incurred significant expenses related to the acquisition of Videotel. If we acquire a business, we may be unable to manage it profitably or successfully integrate its operations with our own. Moreover, we may be unable to realize the strategic, financial, operational and other benefits we anticipate from any acquisition, and any acquisition may increase our overall operating expenses. Competition for acquisition opportunities could increase the price we pay for businesses we acquire and could reduce the number of potential acquisition targets. Further, our approach to acquisitions may involve a number of special financial and business risks, such as:
entry into new and unfamiliar lines of business or markets, which may present challenges or risks that we did not anticipate;
increased expenses associated with the amortization of acquired intangible assets;
increased exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
charges related to any potential acquisition from which we may withdraw;
diversion of our management’s time, attention, and resources;
loss of key acquired personnel;
increased costs to improve or coordinate managerial, operational, financial, and administrative systems, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002;
dilutive issuances of equity securities;
the assumption of legal liabilities; and
losses arising from impairment charges associated with goodwill or intangible assets.

For example, we are incurring additional expenses to implement internal control over financial reporting appropriate for a public company at Videotel, which previously operated as a private company not subject to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

If we cannot effectively manage changes in our rate of growth, our business may suffer.
We have previously expanded our operations to pursue existing and potential market opportunities, and we are continuing to expand our international operations. For example, we expanded our service offerings through the acquisitions of Videotel and Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) in 2014 and 2013, respectively. This growth has placed a strain on our personnel, management, financial and other resources and has increased our operating expenses. If any portion of our business grows more rapidly than we anticipate and we fail to manage that growth properly, we may incur unnecessary expenses, and the efficiency of our operations may decline. If we are unable to adjust our operating expenses on a timely basis in response to changes in revenue cycles, our results of operations may be harmed. To manage changes in our rate of growth effectively, we must, among other things:
match our manufacturing facilities and capacity to demand for our products and services in a timely manner;
secure appropriate satellite capacity to match changes in demand for airtime services in a timely manner;
successfully attract, train, motivate and manage appropriate numbers of employees for manufacturing, sales, marketing and customer support activities;
effectively manage our inventory and working capital;
maintain the efficiencies within our operating, administrative, financial and accounting systems; and
ensure that our procedures and internal controls are revised and updated to remain appropriate for the size and scale of our business operations.




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We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, and the occurrence of these or any other material weaknesses could have a material adverse effect on our ability to report accurate financial information in a timely manner.
As described in “Item 9A. Controls and Procedures,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, our management concluded that we had material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014 and therefore did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting or effective disclosure controls and procedures, both of which are requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of that date. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The material weaknesses related to guidance and stabilization contracts where revenue is recognized on a bill and hold basis, the accounting for income taxes and the accounting for multiple-element lease transactions. Following the identification of the material weaknesses in March 2015, management implemented remediation plans and successfully tested the control remediation as of December 31, 2015.  On that basis, management concluded that the material weaknesses had been remediated as of December 31, 2015.

The remedial measures we took may not be adequate to prevent future misstatements or avoid other control deficiencies or material weaknesses. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, the possibility of human error, and the risk of fraud. Moreover, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and the risk that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate over time. Because of these limitations, there can be no assurance that any system of or internal control over financial reporting will be successful in preventing all errors or fraud or in making all material information known in a timely manner to the appropriate levels of management. As a result, it is possible that our financial statements will not comply with generally accepted accounting principles, will contain a material misstatement or will not be available on a timely basis, any of which could cause investors to lose confidence in us and lead to, among other things, unanticipated legal, accounting and other expenses, delays in filing required financial disclosures, enforcement actions by government authorities, fines, penalties, the delisting of our common stock and liabilities arising from stockholder litigation.

We may be unable to hire and retain the skilled personnel we need to expand our operations.

To meet our growth objectives, we must attract and retain highly skilled technical, operational, managerial and sales and marketing personnel. If we fail to attract and retain the necessary personnel, we may be unable to achieve our business objectives and may lose our competitive position, which could lead to a significant decline in net sales. We face significant competition for these skilled professionals from other companies, research and academic institutions, government entities and other organizations.
Our success depends on the services of our executive officers.
Our future success depends to a significant degree on the skills and efforts of Martin Kits van Heyningen, our co-founder, President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board. If we lost the services of Mr. Kits van Heyningen, our business and operating results could be seriously harmed. We also depend on the ability of our other executive officers to work effectively as a team. The loss of one or more of our executive officers could impair our ability to manage our business effectively.
Our business may suffer if we cannot protect our proprietary technology.
Our ability to compete depends significantly upon our patents, copyrights, source code, and other proprietary technology. The steps we have taken to protect our technology may be inadequate to prevent others from using what we regard as our technology to compete with us. Our patents could expire or be challenged, invalidated or circumvented, and the rights we have under our patents could provide no competitive advantages. Existing trade secret, copyright, and trademark laws offer only limited protection. Customers or others with access to our proprietary or licensed media content could copy that content without permission or otherwise violate the terms of our customer agreements, which would adversely affect our revenues and could impair our relationships with content providers. In addition, the laws of some foreign countries do not protect our proprietary technology to the same extent as the laws of the United States, which could increase the likelihood of misappropriation. Furthermore, other companies could independently develop similar or superior technology without violating

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our intellectual property rights. Any misappropriation of our technology or the development of competing technology could seriously harm our competitive position, which could lead to a substantial reduction in net sales.
If we resort to legal proceedings to enforce our intellectual property rights, the proceedings could be burdensome, disruptive and expensive, distract the attention of management, and there can be no assurance that we would prevail.
Also, we have delivered certain technical data and information to the U.S. government under procurement contracts, and it may have unlimited rights to use that technical data and information. There can be no assurance that the U.S. government will not authorize others to use that data and information to compete with us.
Claims by others that we infringe their intellectual property rights could harm our business and financial condition.
Our industries are characterized by the existence of a large number of patents and frequent claims and related litigation regarding patent and other intellectual property rights. We cannot be certain that our products do not and will not infringe issued patents, patents that may be issued in the future, or other intellectual property rights of others.
We do not generally conduct exhaustive patent searches to determine whether the technology used in our products infringes patents held by third parties. In addition, product development is inherently uncertain in a rapidly evolving technological environment in which there may be numerous patent applications pending, many of which are confidential when filed, with regard to similar technologies.
From time to time we have faced claims by third parties that our products or technology infringe their patents or other intellectual property rights, and we may face similar claims in the future. As noted in "Item 3. Legal Proceedings," Advanced Media Networks, L.L.C., or AMN, filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island against us for allegedly infringing two of its patents, seeking unspecified monetary damage and other relief. We settled this claim in January 2016 with a payment of cash to AMN. Any claim of infringement could cause us to incur substantial costs defending against or settling the claim, even if the claim is invalid, and could distract the attention of our management. If any of our products are found to violate third-party proprietary rights, we may be required to pay substantial damages. In addition, we may be required to re-engineer our products or obtain licenses from third parties to continue to offer our products. Any efforts to re-engineer our products or obtain licenses on commercially reasonable terms may not be successful, which would prevent us from selling our products, and, in any case, could substantially increase our costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Cybersecurity breaches could disrupt our operations, expose us to liability, damage our reputation, and require us to incur significant costs or otherwise adversely affect our financial results.
We are highly dependent on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to securely process, transmit and store electronic information, including personal information of our customers. We also retain sensitive data, including intellectual property, proprietary business information, personally identifiable information, credit card information, and usage data of our employees and customers on our computer networks. Although we take certain protective measures and endeavor to modify them as we believe circumstances warrant, invasive technologies and techniques continue to evolve rapidly, and our computer systems, software and networks are vulnerable to disruption, shutdown, unauthorized access, misuse, erasure, alteration, employee error, phishing, computer viruses or other malicious code, and other events that could have a security impact. Any security breach may compromise information stored on our networks and may result in significant data losses or theft of our, our customers', our business partners' or our employees' sensitive information. We may be required to expend substantial additional resources to augment our efforts to address potential cybersecurity risks, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
If any of these events were to occur, they could disrupt our operations, distract our management, cause us to lose existing customers and fail to attract new customers, as well as subject us to regulatory actions, litigation, fines, damage to our reputation or competitive position, or orders or decrees requiring us to modify our business practices, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition, the interpretation and application of consumer and data protection laws in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are often uncertain, contradictory and in flux. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our data practices. If so, this could result in government-imposed fines or orders requiring that we change our data practices, which could have an adverse effect on our business. Complying with these various laws could cause us to incur substantial costs or require us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business.

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Our media business may expose us to claims regarding our media content.
Our media business produces training films and eLearning computer-based training courses, including programs on safety, maintenance, security and regulatory compliance, and also provides commercially licensed maritime charting and navigation information. Our efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the content we provide could be inadequate, and we could face claims of liability based on this content. Contractual and other measures we take to limit our liability may be inadequate to protect us from these claims. Although we have certain rights of indemnification from third parties for certain portions of the content we provide to customers, it may be time-consuming and expensive to enforce our rights, and the third parties may lack the resources to fulfill their obligations to us. Further, our insurance coverage is subject to deductibles, exclusions and limitations of coverage, and there can be no assurance that our insurance coverage would be available to satisfy any claims against us. Any such claims may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Fluctuations in our quarterly net sales and results of operations could depress the market price of our common stock.
We have at times experienced significant fluctuations in our net sales and results of operations from one quarter to the next. Our future net sales and results of operations could vary significantly from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. Accordingly, you should not rely on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of future performance. It is possible that our net sales or results of operations in a quarter will fall below the expectations of securities analysts or investors. If this occurs, the market price of our common stock could fall significantly. Our results of operations in any quarter can fluctuate for many reasons, including:
changes in demand for our mobile communications products and services and guidance and stabilization products and services;
the timing and size of individual orders from military customers;
the mix of products and services we sell, including the mix of fixed rate and metered contracts for airtime services;
our ability to manufacture, test and deliver products in a timely and cost-effective manner, including the availability and timely delivery of components and subassemblies from our suppliers;
our success in winning competitions for orders;
the timing of new product introductions by us or our competitors;
expenses incurred in pursuing acquisitions;
expenses incurred in expanding our mini-VSAT Broadband network;
market and competitive pricing pressures;
unanticipated charges or expenses, such as increases in warranty claims;
general economic climate; and
seasonality of pleasure boat and recreational vehicle usage.

Effective October 1, 2015, we introduced new rate plans for our airtime services, including various rate plans that offer higher data speeds with usage caps. Under our new rate plans, customers receive a base level of service for a fixed fee and pay additional fees for usage over the base level. Accordingly, the revenue we generate from a customer may vary with that customer's usage. We are unable to predict accurately the extent to which customers will transition to particular metered rate plans or the degree to which usage, and therefore our revenue, may vary from quarter to quarter.

A large portion of our expenses, including expenses for network infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and personnel, are relatively fixed. Accordingly, if our net sales decline or do not grow as much or as quickly as we anticipate, we might be unable to maintain or improve our operating margins. Any failure to achieve anticipated net sales could therefore significantly harm our operating results for a particular fiscal period.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile.

Our stock price has historically been volatile. During the period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015, the trading price of our common stock ranged from $8.83 to $15.79. Many factors may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, including:
variations in our quarterly results of operations;
the introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors;
changing needs of military customers;
changes in estimates of our performance or recommendations by securities analysts;
the hiring or departure of key personnel;
acquisitions or strategic alliances involving us or our competitors;

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market conditions in our industries; and
the global macroeconomic and geopolitical environment.

In addition, the stock market can experience extreme price and volume fluctuations. Major stock market indices experienced dramatic declines in 2008, in the first quarter of 2009 and in January 2016. These fluctuations are often unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. When the market price of a company’s stock drops significantly, stockholders often institute securities litigation against that company. Any such litigation could cause us to incur significant expenses defending against the claim, divert the time and attention of our management and result in significant damages.
We may have exposure to additional tax liabilities, which could negatively impact our income tax expense, net income and cash flow.
We are subject to income taxes and other taxes in both the U.S. and the foreign jurisdictions in which we currently operate. The determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and current and deferred tax assets and liabilities requires judgment and estimation. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We are subject to regular review and audit by both domestic and foreign tax authorities and to the prospective and retrospective effects of changing tax regulations and legislation. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may materially differ from the tax amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements and may materially affect our income tax benefit or expense, net loss or income, and cash flows in the period in which such determination is made. As of December 31, 2015, we had liabilities for uncertain tax positions of $1.5 million, the majority of which relates to uncertain tax positions held on Videotel’s balance sheet as of the acquisition date.
Deferred tax assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. A valuation allowance reduces deferred tax assets to estimated realizable value, which assumes that it is more likely than not that we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the net carrying value. We review our deferred tax assets and valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. As part of our review, we consider positive and negative evidence, including cumulative results in recent years.
If, during our quarterly reviews of our deferred tax assets, we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize the net carrying value of our deferred tax assets, we will record a valuation allowance to reduce the tax assets to estimated realizable value. This could result in a material income tax charge.
Changes in the competitive environment or supply chain issues may require inventory write-downs.
From time to time, we have recorded significant inventory reserves and/or inventory write-offs as a result of substantial declines in customer demand. Market or competitive changes could lead to future charges for excess or obsolete inventory, especially if we are unable to appropriately adjust the supply of material from our vendors.
If goodwill or other intangible assets that we have recorded in connection with our acquisitions of other businesses become impaired, we could have to take significant charges against earnings.
As a result of our acquisitions, we have recorded, and may continue to record, a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets. Under current accounting guidelines, we must assess, at least annually and potentially more frequently, whether the value of goodwill and other intangible assets has been impaired. Any reduction or impairment of the value of goodwill or other intangible assets will result in additional charges against earnings, which could materially reduce our reported results of operations in future periods.
Compliance with conflict minerals disclosure rules may further increase our costs and adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to the SEC's disclosure requirements for public companies that manufacture, or contract to manufacture, products for which certain minerals and their derivatives, namely tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold, known as “conflict minerals,” are necessary to the functionality or production of those products. These regulations require us to determine which of our products contain conflict minerals and, if so, to perform an extensive inquiry into our supply chain in an effort to determine whether or not such conflict minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo, or DRC, or an adjoining country. The European Union is considering the adoption of conflict minerals disclosure requirements, which may apply to us and may be more extensive than those adopted by the SEC. We may incur increased costs to comply with these disclosure

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requirements, including costs related to determining the source of any of the relevant minerals used in our products, which would adversely affect our results of operations. Because our supply chain is complex, the country of origin inquiry and due diligence procedures that we implement may not enable us to ascertain the origins of any conflict minerals that we use or determine that these minerals did not originate from the DRC or an adjoining country, which may harm our reputation with customers, investors, non-governmental organizations or others and lead to a decline in our stock price. In the conflict minerals report that we filed in 2015, we concluded that the origins of the relevant conflict minerals we used in 2014 were “DRC conflict undeterminable,” as a result of which we were not required to obtain an independent private sector audit of our conflict minerals report. The temporary rules permitting issuers to report that the origins of the conflict minerals they use are “DRC conflict undeterminable” have expired; however, as a result of pending litigation, the requirement to obtain an independent private sector audit is subject to a temporary stay unless an issuer wishes to report that its products are "DRC conflict-free." It is possible that the stay could be lifted, in which case we expect that the expenses of preparing our conflict minerals report and obtaining any necessary private sector audit will increase. We may also face difficulties in satisfying customers who may require that our products be certified as DRC conflict-free, which could harm our relationships with these customers and lead to a loss of revenue. These requirements could also have the effect of limiting the pool of suppliers from which we source these minerals, and we may be unable to obtain conflict-free minerals at competitive prices, which could increase our costs and adversely affect our manufacturing operations and our profitability.
Our charter and by-laws and Delaware law may deter takeovers.
Our certificate of incorporation, by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions that could have an anti-takeover effect and discourage, delay or prevent a change in control or an acquisition that many stockholders may find attractive. These provisions may also discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for our stockholders to take some corporate actions, including the election of directors. These provisions relate to:
the ability of our Board of Directors to issue preferred stock, and determine its terms, without a stockholder vote;
the classification of our Board of Directors, which effectively prevents stockholders from electing a majority of the directors at any one annual meeting of stockholders;
the limitation that directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of our shares of capital stock entitled to vote;
the prohibition against stockholder actions by written consent;
the inability of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders; and
advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and director nominations.


ITEM 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
None.


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ITEM 2.
Properties
The following table provides information about our principal facilities as of December 31, 2015.
Location
 
Type
 
Principal Uses
 
Approximate
Square
Footage
 
Ownership
 
Lease
Expiration
Middletown, Rhode Island
 
Office
 
Corporate headquarters, research and development, sales and service, marketing and administration
 
75,000
 
Owned
 
Middletown, Rhode Island
 
Plant and warehouse
 
Manufacturing and warehousing (mobile communications products)
 
75,300
 
Owned
 
Tinley Park, Illinois
 
Plant and warehouse
 
Manufacturing, warehousing, research and development (guidance and stabilization products)
 
101,000
 
Owned
 
Horten, Norway
 
Office
 
Research and development, sales, marketing and support
 
4,400
 
Leased
 
December 2018
Singapore
 
Office
 
Asian headquarters and sales office
 
2,000
 
Leased
 
April 2016
Kokkedal, Denmark
 
Office and warehouse
 
European headquarters, sales, marketing and support
 
11,000
 
Leased
 
3 month notice
Leeds, UK
 
Office
 
Audio/video production, sales and support
 
2,700
 
Leased
 
April 2018
Liverpool, UK
 
Office
 
Maritime sales, news production, marketing and support
 
4,692
 
Leased
 
June 2023
London, UK
 
Office
 
Sales, production, dispatch, and general office
 
7,309
 
Leased
 
August 2019
Leeds, UK
 
Media Lab
 
Audio/video production, Media distribution, sales and administration
 
6,236
 
Leased
 
January 2020
Manila, Philippines
 
Office
 
News production, inside sales, support
 
1,000
 
Leased
 
month to month

ITEM 3.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. In the ordinary course of business, we are a party to inquiries, legal proceedings and claims including, from time to time, disagreements with vendors and customers.
Advanced Media Networks, L.L.C., or AMN, filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island against us for allegedly infringing two of its patents, seeking unspecified monetary damages and other relief. We settled this claim in January 2016 with a payment of cash to AMN.

ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.


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PART II
ITEM 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “KVHI.” The following table provides, for the periods indicated, the high and low sale prices for our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.
 
High
 
Low
Year Ended December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
First quarter
$
15.18

 
$
11.62

Second quarter
15.79

 
11.14

Third quarter
13.99

 
9.22

Fourth quarter
10.64

 
8.83

Year Ended December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
First quarter
$
14.42

 
$
12.35

Second quarter
13.79

 
12.70

Third quarter
14.25

 
11.28

Fourth quarter
13.44

 
10.87

Stockholders. As of March 11, 2016, we had 80 holders of record of our common stock. This number does not include stockholders for whom shares were held in a nominee or “street” name.
Dividends. We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock, and we have no plan to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain any future earnings to finance our operations and future growth. In addition, the terms of our senior credit agreement, which we entered into in July 2014, place restrictions on our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. On November 26, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to one million shares of our common stock. The repurchase program is funded using our existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, and future cash flows. Under the repurchase program, at management’s discretion, we may repurchase shares on the open market from time to time, in privately negotiated transactions or block transactions, or through an accelerated repurchase agreement. The timing of such repurchases depends on availability of shares, price, market conditions, alternative uses of capital, and applicable regulatory requirements. The program may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time without prior notice. The repurchase program has no expiration date. There were no other repurchase programs outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2015, and no repurchase programs expired during the period.
We did not repurchase any shares of our common stock in open market transactions during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, 26,664 vested restricted shares were surrendered in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations at an average price of $12.91 per share.

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STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the performance of our cumulative stockholder return with that of the NASDAQ Composite Index, a broad equity market index, and the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index, a published industry index. The cumulative stockholder returns for shares of our common stock and for the market indices are calculated assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2010. We paid no cash dividends during the periods shown. The performance of the market indices is shown on a total return (dividends reinvested) basis. Measurement points are the last trading days of the years ended December 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
2015
KVH Industries, Inc.
 
$
100

 
$
65

 
$
117

 
$
109

 
$
106

$
79

NASDAQ Composite
 
100

 
98

 
114

 
157

 
179

189

NASDAQ Telecommunications
 
100

 
87

 
89

 
111

 
120

111


ITEM 6.
Selected Financial Data
We have derived the following selected financial data from our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read this data in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
    
In May 2013, we acquired Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) for $24.2 million. In July 2014, we acquired Videotel for $47.4 million. See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements for a summary of significant accounting policies and the effects on the year-to-year comparability of the selected financial data.

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Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated Statement of Operations Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product
$
76,213

 
$
81,143

 
$
90,295

 
$
90,677

 
$
85,136

Service
108,421

 
91,448

 
71,993

 
46,435

 
27,400

Net sales
184,634

 
172,591

 
162,288

 
137,112

 
112,536

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs of product sales
47,404

 
48,843

 
51,518

 
51,775

 
46,598

Costs of service sales
54,816

 
50,301

 
45,058

 
30,363

 
20,970

Research and development
14,039

 
14,101

 
12,987

 
12,147

 
11,548

Sales, marketing and support
35,714

 
32,976

 
28,792

 
24,069

 
23,473

General and administrative
29,453

 
24,448

 
17,764

 
12,188

 
10,555

Total costs and expenses
181,426

 
170,669

 
156,119

 
130,542

 
113,144

Income (loss) from operations
3,208

 
1,922

 
6,169

 
6,570

 
(608
)
Interest income
546

 
738

 
657

 
510

 
297

Interest expense
1,460

 
1,296

 
637

 
323

 
223

Other income (expense), net
372

 
(39
)
 
494

 
86

 
910

Income before income taxes
2,666

 
1,325

 
6,683

 
6,843

 
376

Income tax expense (benefit)
413

 
1,284

 
2,150

 
3,263

 
(484
)
Net income
$
2,253

 
$
41

 
$
4,533

 
$
3,580

 
$
860

Per share information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share, basic
$
0.14

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.06

Net income per common share, diluted
$
0.14

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.24

 
$
0.06

Number of shares used in per share calculation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
15,625

 
15,420

 
15,144

 
14,777

 
14,768

Diluted
15,834

 
15,605

 
15,341

 
15,019

 
15,072

 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities
$
45,338

 
$
49,802

 
$
55,744

 
$
38,285

 
$
30,570

Working capital
71,534

 
65,200

 
78,933

 
65,242

 
59,778

Total assets
226,277

 
235,837

 
183,849

 
137,568

 
128,556

Line of credit

 

 
30,000

 
7,000

 
9,000

Long-term debt, excluding current portion
58,054

 
64,687

 
7,094

 
3,414

 
3,553

Other long-term obligations
1,391

 
1,459

 
204

 
140

 
135

Total stockholders’ equity
118,176

 
116,540

 
116,467

 
105,704

 
96,668



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ITEM 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the other financial information and consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this annual report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.
Overview
We design, develop, manufacture and market mobile communications products and services for the marine and land mobile markets, and navigation, guidance and stabilization products for commercial and defense markets.
Our mobile communications products enable customers to receive voice and Internet services and live digital television via satellite services in marine vessels, recreational vehicles, buses and automobiles. Our CommBox offers a range of tools designed to increase communication efficiency, reduce costs, and manage network operations. We sell and lease our mobile communications products through an extensive international network of dealers and distributors. We also sell and lease products directly to end users.
Our mobile communications service sales include sales earned from satellite voice and Internet airtime services, engineering services provided under development contracts, sales from product repairs, and extended warranty sales. Our mobile communications services sales also include our distribution of entertainment, including news, sports, music, and movies, to commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets through KVH Media Group (acquired as Headland Media Limited), the media and entertainment service company that we acquired on May 11, 2013, and the distribution of training films and eLearning computer-based training courses to commercial customers in the maritime market through Super Dragon Limited and Videotel Marine Asia Limited (together referred to as Videotel), a maritime training services company that we acquired on July 2, 2014. We typically recognize revenue from media content sales ratably over the period of the service contract. We provide, for monthly fixed and usage fees, satellite connectivity services for broadband Internet, data and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service to our TracPhone V-series customers. We also earn monthly usage fees for third-party satellite connectivity for voice, data and Internet services to our Inmarsat and Iridium customers who choose to activate their subscriptions with us. Our service sales have grown as a percentage of total revenue from 44% of our net sales in 2013 to 53% in 2014 to 59% in 2015, a portion of which is attributable to our acquisition of the KVH Media Group business in May 2013 and Videotel in July 2014. The majority of Videotel’s services are invoiced in pounds sterling, which increases our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates.
We also offer precision fiber optic gyro (FOG)-based systems that enable platform and optical stabilization, navigation, pointing, and guidance. Our guidance and stabilization products also include tactical navigation systems that provide uninterrupted access to navigation and pointing information in a variety of military vehicles, including tactical trucks and light armored vehicles. Our guidance and stabilization products are sold directly to U.S. and foreign governments and government contractors, as well as through an international network of authorized independent sales representatives. In addition, our guidance and stabilization products are used in numerous commercial products, such as navigation and positioning systems for various applications including precision mapping, dynamic surveying, autonomous vehicles, train location control and track geometry measurement systems, industrial robotics and optical stabilization.
Our guidance and stabilization service sales include engineering services provided under development contracts, product repairs and extended warranty sales.  In October 2014, we entered into a $19.0 million TACNAV product and services contract with an international military customer. This contract includes program management and engineering services expected to be delivered through 2017 and hardware shipments that were partially fulfilled in 2015 with the remainder expected to be fulfilled in 2016 as well as out-year support services to be provided as part of this order. Our guidance and stabilization sales in 2015 and 2014 included $9.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to this order. In 2012, we were awarded the largest contract in the history of our company by the Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG).  We completed the delivery of TACNAV product shipments under the original $35.6 million SANG contract in the second quarter of 2013, and we completed the services portion of the original SANG contract in the third quarter of 2014. In May 2014, we entered into a contract modification to the original order for an additional $5.2 million for TACNAV products and services. All additional TACNAV products related to the contract modification were shipped in the second quarter of 2014, and we completed the services portion of the contract modification in the third quarter of 2014.
We generate sales primarily from the sale of our mobile communications systems and services and our guidance and stabilization products and services. The following table provides, for the periods indicated, our sales by industry category:

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Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Mobile communications
$
145,444

 
$
129,920

 
$
108,151

Guidance and stabilization
39,190

 
42,671

 
54,137

Net sales
$
184,634

 
$
172,591

 
$
162,288


Net sales to SANG accounted for less than 10% of our net sales in 2015 and 2014 and 12% of our net sales in 2013. The decrease in net sales to SANG from 2013 to 2014 was primarily driven by the timing of deliverables in fulfillment of the 2012 SANG contract described above. The terms and conditions of these sales to SANG were consistent with our standard terms and conditions of product sales as discussed in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements. There were no receivables outstanding related to the SANG contract as of December 31, 2015. No other customer accounted for more than 10% of our net sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013.
We have historically derived a substantial portion of our revenue from sales to customers located outside the United States and Canada. The following table provides, for the periods indicated, sales to specified geographic regions:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Originating from the Americas locations
 
 
 
 
 
United States
$
95,211

 
$
99,477

 
$
86,621

Canada
19,153

 
14,521

 
14,272

Europe
4,840

 
4,833

 
7,876

Other
12,434

 
15,107

 
28,610

Total Americas
131,638

 
133,938

 
137,379

Originating from European and Asian locations
 
 
 
 
 
United States
1,598

 
1,527

 
1,099

Canada
84

 
66

 
39

Europe
23,135

 
21,698

 
18,571

Other
28,179

 
15,362

 
5,200

Total Europe and Asia
52,996

 
38,653

 
24,909

Net sales
$
184,634

 
$
172,591

 
$
162,288

See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements for more information on our geographic segments.
In addition to our internally funded research and development efforts, we also conduct research and development activities that are funded by our customers. These activities relate primarily to engineering studies, surveys, prototype development, program management, and standard product customization. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, we account for customer-funded research as service revenue, and we account for the associated research and development costs as costs of service and product sales. As a result, customer-funded research and development are not included in the research and development expense that we present in our statement of operations. The following table presents our total annual research and development effort, representing the sum of research costs of service and product sales and the operating expense of research and development as described in our statement of operations. Our management believes this information is useful because it provides a better understanding of our total expenditures on research and development activities.

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Year ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Research and development expense presented on the statement of operations
$
14,039

 
$
14,101

 
$
12,987

Costs of customer-funded research and development included in costs of service sales
1,546

 
2,633

 
2,387

Total consolidated statements of operations expenditures on research and development activities
$
15,585

 
$
16,734

 
$
15,374



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Results of Operations
The following table provides, for the periods indicated, certain financial data expressed as a percentage of net sales:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
Product
41.3
%
 
47.0
 %
 
55.6
%
Service
58.7

 
53.0

 
44.4

Net sales
100.0

 
100.0

 
100.0

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Costs of product sales
25.7

 
28.3

 
31.7

Costs of service sales
29.6

 
29.1

 
27.8

Research and development
7.6

 
8.2

 
8.0

Sales, marketing and support
19.3

 
19.1

 
17.7

General and administrative
16.0

 
14.2

 
11.0

Total costs and expenses
98.2

 
98.9

 
96.2

Income from operations
1.8

 
1.1

 
3.8

Interest income
0.3

 
0.4

 
0.3

Interest expense
0.7

 
0.8

 
0.4

Other income, net
0.2

 

 
0.3

Income before income taxes
1.6

 
0.7

 
4.0

Income tax expense
0.2

 
0.7

 
1.3

Net income
1.4
%
 
 %
 
2.7
%
Years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014
Net Sales
Product sales decreased $4.9 million, or 6%, to $76.2 million in 2015 from $81.1 million in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in sales of our guidance and stabilization products of $5.2 million, or 14%, from $38.2 million in 2014 to $33.0 million in 2015. Specifically, sales of our TACNAV products decreased $3.6 million, or 20%, primarily as a result of the timing of our customer contracts. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a decrease in sales of our FOG products of $1.6 million, or 8%, primarily a result of decreased shipments for commercial applications.
Although we expect that TACNAV product sales will increase in 2016 compared to 2015 based on our backlog, we expect that the majority of sales will be weighted towards the end of 2016. Sales of TACNAV products on a quarter-to-quarter basis will continue to be very uneven. We expect to see modest growth in our FOG products in 2016 as our FOG products become incorporated into more commercial programs.
Mobile communications product sales increased $0.3 million, or 1%, to $43.2 million in 2015 from $42.9 million in 2014. The increase was primarily due to increases in sales of our marine mobile communications products of $0.4 million, or 1%, and sales of our land mobile communications products of $0.4 million, or 11%, partially offset by a $0.5 million, or 3%, decrease in shipments of our TracPhone mini-VSAT products.
Mobile communications product sales in 2015 made by our North and South American operations increased $0.8 million, or 3%, while mobile communications product sales made by our European and Asian subsidiaries decreased by $0.6 million, or 4%, compared to 2014.
In 2015, we saw a sharp decline in mini-VSAT product sales to customers with vessels that serve the oil and gas supply market. We expect that if oil prices remain at the current depressed levels, there will not be any improvement in this market sector in 2016. Although we also remain cautious about the prospects for our marine leisure sales, specifically in Europe, as a result of ongoing challenges in the global economy, we do expect to see a year-over-year improvement.
Service sales for 2015 increased $17.0 million, or 19%, to $108.4 million from $91.4 million for 2014. The primary reasons for the increase were a $12.8 million increase in new service e-Learning and maritime safety training sales arising from our acquisition of Videotel in July 2014 and a $4.0 million increase in airtime sales for our mini-VSAT Broadband service.

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Partially offsetting these increases was a $0.8 million decrease in contracted engineering services primarily from decreased installation and program management services provided in connection with the SANG contract as well as a $0.5 million decrease in Inmarsat service sales.
We expect that our mini-VSAT services sales will continue to grow year-over-year, primarily from an overall increase in our mini-VSAT Broadband customer base. We also expect to see value-added service sales such as IP-MobileCast increase year-over-year as we sell to both new and existing customers. We do not expect to see any meaningful increase in contracted engineering services year-over-year.

Costs of Sales
Our costs of product sales consist primarily of materials, manufacturing overhead, and direct labor used to produce our products. For 2015, costs of product sales decreased by $1.4 million, or 3%, to $47.4 million from $48.8 million in 2014. The primary reason for the decrease was the decrease in sales of our TACNAV products discussed above.
Our costs of service sales consist primarily of satellite service capacity, depreciation, service network overhead expense associated with our mini-VSAT Broadband network infrastructure, direct network service labor, engineering, and related direct costs associated with customer-funded research and development, media materials and distribution costs, service repair material, Inmarsat service costs, and product installation costs. Costs of service sales increased by $4.5 million, or 9%, to $54.8 million in 2015 from $50.3 million in 2014. The primary reasons for the increase were a $2.6 million increase in new e-Learning maritime safety media cost of service sales resulting from the Videotel acquisition in July 2014, a $2.4 million increase in airtime cost of service sales for our mini-VSAT Broadband service, and $0.4 million increase in our other media and entertainment services. Partially offsetting these increases was a $1.1 million decrease in engineering services costs of sales due primarily to a decrease in the services provided in connection with the SANG contract as discussed above and a $0.3 million decrease in Inmarsat costs of service.
Gross margin from product sales for 2015 decreased to 38% as compared to 40% for 2014. The decrease in our gross margin from product sales was primarily due to a decrease in sales of our TACNAV product sales as discussed above, which generally have a higher margin than our mobile communication products.
Gross margin from service sales in 2015 increased to 49% as compared to 45% in 2014. The increase in our gross margin from service sales was primarily attributable to the service gross margin contributed by our new Videotel business. To a lesser extent, an increase in gross margin from contracted engineering services also contributed to the service gross margin increase.
We expect our overall service gross margins to show modest growth in 2016. We also anticipate that we will achieve a favorable year-over-year increase in our mini-VSAT Broadband service margins as more customers adopt our new mini-VSAT Broadband 2.0 rate plans which provide customers with faster speeds with data caps. The higher service margins are expected to be achieved by adding additional capacity at a slower pace than in previous years.
Operating Expenses
Research and development expense consists of direct labor, materials, external consultants, and related overhead costs that support our internally funded product development and product sustaining engineering activities. Research and development expense for 2015 decreased by $0.1 million, or 1%, to $14.0 million from $14.1 million in 2014. The primary reasons for the increase in expense in 2015 were a $1.1 million increase in U.S.-based employee compensation for research and development personnel, offset by a $0.7 million decrease in external consulting expenses and a $0.6 million decrease in expensed materials related to 2014 development efforts for our marine TV product line. As a percentage of net sales, research and development expense was 8% in both 2015 and 2014.
We expect that research and development expense will increase modestly year-over-year as we do not expect any significant customer-funded projects. As a percentage of revenues, we do not anticipate any increase in research and development expense.
Sales, marketing and support expense consists primarily of salaries and related expenses for sales and marketing personnel, commissions for both in-house and third-party representatives, other sales and marketing support costs such as advertising, literature and promotional materials, product service personnel and support costs, warranty-related costs and bad debt expense. Sales, marketing and support expense also includes the entire operating expenses of our subsidiaries in Denmark, Singapore, Brazil, and Japan. Sales, marketing and support expense for 2015 increased by $2.7 million, or 8%, to $35.7 million from $33.0 million for 2014. The primary reasons for the increase in 2015 was a $2.6 million increase in sales, marketing, and support expense related to our new Videotel business, a $0.7 million increase from our KVH Media business, and a $0.4 million increase in U.S.-based employee compensation. Offsetting this increase was a $1.2 million decrease in external commissions. As a percentage of net sales, sales, marketing and support expense was 19% for both 2015 and 2014.

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We expect that our sales, marketing, and support expense will increase modestly year-over-year primarily driven by increased personnel costs.
General and administrative expense consists of costs attributable to management, finance and accounting, information technology, human resources, certain outside professional services, and other administrative costs. General and administrative expense for 2015 increased by $5.1 million, or 21%, to $29.5 million from $24.4 million for 2014. The primary reasons for the increase in 2015 expense were a $5.4 million increase in expense from our new Videotel business, a $0.6 million increase in U.S.-based employee compensation, and a $0.6 million increase in outside consulting and audit-related fees. Partially offsetting this increase was a $1.2 million decrease in Videotel transaction-related expenses. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense for 2015 was 16% as compared to 14% for 2014.
We expect general and administrative expenses to increase modestly year-over-year in 2016, primarily driven by increased personnel costs.
Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net
Interest income decreased $0.2 million, or 29%, to $0.5 million for 2015 from $0.7 million for 2014. Interest expense for 2015 increased by $0.2 million, or 15%, to $1.5 million from $1.3 million for 2014. The primary reason for the increase was borrowings under our new senior credit facility executed in July 2014 to finance the purchase of Videotel in July 2014. Other income, net for 2015 increased by $0.4 million to other income, net of $0.4 million from other expense, net of less than $0.1 million for 2014. The primary reason for the increase in other income, net was foreign currency exchange gains primarily associated with our UK and Hong Kong operations.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense for 2015 was $0.4 million as compared to income tax expense of $1.3 million for 2014. The decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to discrete tax benefits in 2015, partially offset by a $1.4 million increase in pretax income.
Years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013
Net Sales
Product sales decreased $9.2 million, or 10%, to $81.1 million in 2014 from $90.3 million in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in sales of our guidance and stabilization products of $5.1 million, or 12%, from $43.3 million in 2013 to $38.2 million in 2014. Specifically, sales of our FOG products decreased $5.5 million, or 23%, primarily as a result of decreased product sales under the Crows III program. This decrease was partially offset by a year-over-year increase of $0.5 million of TACNAV hardware sales. Two large TACNAV contracts in 2014 more than replaced the $9.8 million of TACNAV product sales related to the SANG contract that were shipped in the first half of 2013.
Mobile communications product sales decreased $4.0 million, or 8%, to $43.0 million in 2014 from $47.0 million in 2013. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in sales of our marine satellite communications products of $3.6 million, or 10%, driven primarily by an 11% decrease in shipments of our TracPhone mini-VSAT products and an 8% decrease in marine satellite television sales. Sales of our land mobile products of $4.7 million were flat with 2013.
Mobile communications product sales in 2014 originating from our U.S. and European subsidiaries decreased $3.8 million, or 10%, compared to 2013. Mobile communications product sales originating from our Asian subsidiaries increased by $0.3 million, or 8%, compared to 2013.
Service sales for 2014 increased $19.4 million, or 27%, to $91.4 million from $72.0 million for 2013. The primary reason for the increase was an $11.4 million increase in airtime sales for our mini-VSAT Broadband service. Also contributing to the increase in service sales was a $10.4 million increase in new service e-Learning and maritime safety training sales arising from our acquisition of Videotel in July 2014 and a $5.6 million increase in new media sales arising from our acquisition of Headland Media Limited in May 2013. Partially offsetting these increases was a $6.5 million decrease in contracted engineering services primarily from decreased installation and program management services provided in connection with the SANG contract as well as a $0.6 million decrease in Inmarsat service sales.

Costs of Sales

For 2014, costs of product sales decreased by $2.7 million, or 5%, to $48.8 million from $51.5 million in 2013. The primary reason for the decrease was the decrease in sales of our FOG and marine products discussed above offset by a $0.5 million increase in warranty expense predominantly associated with our mini-VSAT products.

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Costs of service sales increased by $5.2 million, or 12%, to $50.3 million in 2014 from $45.1 million in 2013. The primary reason for the increase was a $9.2 million increase in airtime costs of sales for our mini-VSAT Broadband service. Also contributing to the increase was a $3.1 million increase in costs of service sales from our new Videotel business and a $1.8 million increase in costs of service sales from the KVH Media Group. Partially offsetting these increases was a $6.6 million decrease in engineering services costs of sales due primarily to a decrease in the services provided in connection with the SANG contract as discussed above, a $0.5 million decrease in Inmarsat costs of service, and a $0.2 million decrease in service repair costs.

Gross margin from product sales for 2014 decreased to 40% as compared to 43% for 2013. The decrease in our gross margin from product sales was primarily due to a decrease in gross margin on our marine TV product sales resulting from the launch of a new TV product series in June 2014. The gross margins on these products improved in the second half of 2014 as we were able to take advantage of improved material prices on volume purchases. Also contributing to the reduction in gross profit margin was under-utilization of our FOG production capacity due to reduced unit sales in 2014.

Gross margin from service sales in 2014 increased to 45% as compared to 37% in 2013. The increase in our gross margin from service sales was primarily attributable to the service gross margin contributed from our KVH Media Group business, as the service revenue for 2013 included only a partial year of service revenue from that business based on the May 11, 2013 acquisition date. Also contributing to the increase in gross margin was the service gross margin from our new Videotel business and an increase in gross margin from contracted engineering services that resulted from completing the low margin installation and project management services under the SANG contract.

Operating Expenses
Research and development expense for 2014 increased by $1.1 million, or 8%, to $14.1 million from $13.0 million in 2013. The primary reasons for the increase in expense in the 2014 period were a $0.5 million increase in U.S.-based employee compensation for research and development personnel and a $0.2 million increase in consulting expense, both of which were driven by the development of our new satellite television products and IP-MobileCast content delivery service. Also contributing to the increase was a $0.5 million increase in expensed materials. As a percentage of net sales, research and development expense was 8% for 2014 and 2013.
Sales, marketing and support expense for 2014 increased by $4.2 million, or 15%, to $33.0 million from $28.8 million for 2013. The primary reasons for the increase in the 2014 period were a $2.8 million increase in sales, marketing, and support expense related to our new Videotel business, a $1.3 million increase from our KVH Media business, a $0.6 million increase in warranty expense mainly in relation to TracPhone V7 and V11 products, a $0.5 million increase in U.S.-based employee compensation, and a one-time $0.5 million insurance recovery received in the third quarter of 2013 related to misappropriated funds identified at our Danish subsidiary. Partially offsetting these increases were a $0.8 million decrease in variable product sales expense primarily as a result of the completion of product shipments relating to the SANG contract in the second quarter of 2013, a $0.3 million decrease in bad debt expense, and a $0.3 million decrease in sales promotions and demonstration units. As a percentage of net sales, sales, marketing and support expense for 2014 was 19% as compared to 18% for 2013.
General and administrative expense for 2014 increased by $6.6 million, or 37%, to $24.4 million from $17.8 million for 2013. The primary reason for the increase in 2014 expense was a $3.0 million increase in expense from our new Videotel business, a $2.9 million increase in general and administrative expense relating to the KVH Media Group, and a $0.5 million increase in U.S.-based employee compensation, as well as a $0.4 million increase in compensation expense related to purchase accounting and a $0.4 million increase in acquisition costs, both of which related to the purchase of Videotel. Partially offsetting this increase was a $0.4 million decrease in accrued performance-based incentive compensation. As a percentage of net sales, general and administrative expense for 2014 was 14% as compared to 11% for 2013.
Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net
Interest income remained consistent from 2013 to 2014 at $0.7 million. Interest expense for 2014 increased by $0.7 million, or 117%, to $1.3 million from $0.6 million for 2013. The primary reason for the increase was borrowings under our new senior credit facility executed in July 2014 to finance the purchase of Videotel in July 2014. Other expense (income), net for 2014 decreased by $0.5 million, or 108%, to other expense of $0.1 million from other income of $0.5 million for 2013. The primary reason for the increase in expense was a reduction in the market value of cash flow hedges, as well as foreign currency exchange losses primarily associated with our UK operations.

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Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense for 2014 was $1.3 million as compared to income tax expense of $2.2 million for 2013. The decrease in income tax expense is primarily due to a $5.4 million decrease in pretax income offset by increased valuation allowances, which created discrete tax charges of $0.9 million in 2014.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure at the date of our financial statements. Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements. The significant accounting policies that we believe are the most critical in understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:
Revenue Recognition
Product sales. Product sales are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, goods are shipped, title has passed, and collectability is reasonably assured. Our standard sales terms require that:
All sales are final;
Terms are generally Net 30;
Shipments are tendered and shipped FOB (or as may be applicable, FCA or EXW) our plant or warehouse; and
Title and risk of loss or damage passes to the dealer or distributor at the point of shipment when delivery is made to the possession of the carrier.
For certain guidance and stabilization product sales, customer acceptance or inspection may be required before title and risk of loss transfers to the customer. For those sales, revenue is recognized after transfer of title and risk of loss and after notification of customer acceptance. In certain circumstances customers may request a bill and hold arrangement. Under these bill and hold arrangements, revenue is recognized when we have fulfilled all of our performance obligations, the units are segregated and available for shipment in accordance with the defined contract delivery schedule, and we have received notification of customer acceptance which transfers title and risk of loss to the customer.
Under certain limited conditions, we, at our sole discretion, provide for the return of goods. No product is accepted for return and no credit is allowed on any returned product unless we have granted and confirmed prior written permission by means of appropriate authorization. We establish reserves for potential sales returns, credits and allowances, and evaluate, on a monthly basis, the adequacy of those reserves based upon historical experience and our expectations for the future.
Multiple-element revenue arrangements. Some of our sales involve multiple-element arrangements that include both hardware-related products and contracted service, or satellite connectivity. We analyze revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables to determine if the deliverables should be divided into more than one unit of accounting. For contracts with more than one unit of accounting, we allocate the consideration we receive among the separate units of accounting based on a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of each deliverable, which includes: (1) vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) if available; (2) third-party evidence (TPE) if VSOE is not available; and (3) best estimated selling price (BESP), if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Best estimate selling price is determined based on prices of the deliverables if sold on a stand-alone basis, or if not sold on a stand-alone basis, the prices we would charge if sold on a stand-alone basis. We recognize revenue for each deliverable based on the revenue recognition policies described in this section.
We accounted for our $35.6 million contract received in June 2012 from SANG to purchase TACNAV defense products and services as a multiple-element arrangement. The total contract value associated with TACNAV defense products was $21.2 million, for which the final shipments were completed in the second quarter of 2013. The total contract value associated with all services was $14.4 million, and such services were completed in the third quarter of 2014. In October 2014, we entered into a $19.0 million TACNAV product and services contract with an international military customer. This contract includes program management and engineering services expected to be delivered through 2017 and hardware shipments that were partially fulfilled in 2015 with the remainder expected to be fulfilled in 2016, as well as out-year support services. The revenue for these services is recognized using the proportional performance accounting method. Total revenue recognized in 2015 and 2014 related to this order was $9.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively.

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Contracted service sales. We also engage in contracts for development, production and services activities related to standard product modification or enhancement, which we account for using the proportional performance method of revenue recognition. The use of contract accounting requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract revenues and costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the contract, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and prices for subcontractor services and materials. Our estimates are based upon the professional knowledge and experience of our engineers, program managers and other personnel, who review each long-term contract monthly to assess the contract's schedule, performance, technical matters, and estimated cost at completion. A cancellation, schedule delay, or modification of a fixed-price contract which is accounted for using the proportional performance method may adversely affect our gross margins for the period in which the contract is modified. Changes in estimates are applied when adjustments in estimated contract costs are identified, such revisions may result in current period adjustments to earnings applicable to performance in prior periods.
Satellite connectivity and media content sales. Directly sold and re-sold satellite connectivity service for voice, data and Internet is recognized monthly based upon minutes or megabytes of traffic processed or contracted fixed fee schedules. Typically, all subscribers enter into a contracted one-year minimum service agreement. We record all satellite connectivity service sales to subscribers as gross sales, as we are the primary obligor in the contracted service arrangement. All associated regulatory service fees and costs are recorded net in our consolidated financial statements. Media content sales include our distribution of commercially licensed news, sports, movies and music content for commercial and leisure customers in the maritime, hotel, and retail markets as well as training videos to the merchant marine market that are typically based on a contracted fixed fee schedule. We typically recognize revenue from media content sales ratably over the period of the service contract. The accounting estimates related to the recognition of satellite connectivity and media content service sales in our results of operations require us to make assumptions about future billing adjustments for disputes with subscribers as well as unauthorized usage.
Accounts Receivable Allowance
Our estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade receivables is primarily based on specific and historical criteria. We evaluate specific accounts where we have information that the customer may have an inability to meet its financial obligations. We make judgments, based on facts and circumstances, regarding the need to record a specific reserve for that customer against amounts owed to reduce the receivable to the amount that we expect to collect. We also provide for a reserve based on an aging analysis of our accounts receivable. We evaluate these reserves on a monthly basis and adjust them as we receive additional information that impacts the amount reserved. If circumstances change, we could change our estimates of the recoverability of amounts owed to us by a material amount. For example, our bad debt expense increased $0.5 million in 2015 from 2014, driven by bad debt expense associated with airtime sales for our mini-VSAT Broadband service.
We wrote off $0.5 million, $0.6 million, and $0.5 million of our accounts receivable in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. These write-offs were driven largely by the financial deterioration of several airtime and lease customers as well as several mobile communications product distributors. The current economic downturn could continue to adversely impact the financial condition of our customers, which could result in additional write-offs and increases in our allowance for doubtful accounts and have a negative impact on our results of operations.
Inventories
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market. We generally must order components for our products and build inventory in advance of product shipments. We regularly review current quantities on hand, actual and projected sales volumes and anticipated selling prices on products and write down, as appropriate, slow-moving and/or obsolete inventory to its net realizable value. In 2015, 2014, and 2013, we wrote off $0.3 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million, respectively, of fully reserved inventory. However, if we overestimate projected sales or anticipated selling prices, our inventory might be overstocked or overvalued, and we would have to reduce our inventory valuation accordingly.
Accounting for Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our provision for income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This involves estimating our actual current tax exposure, including assessing the risks associated with tax audits, together with assessing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and record a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to an amount that, in our judgment, is more likely than not to be recovered.

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Management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of future taxable income and the period over which we expect the deferred tax assets to be recovered. Our assessment of future taxable income is based on historical experience and current and anticipated market and economic conditions and trends. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust our estimates in the future, we may need to adjust our valuation allowance, which could materially impact our consolidated financial position and results of operations. At December 31, 2015, we had valuation allowances of $4.7 million to offset gross deferred tax assets of $12.2 million.
Warranty Provision
We typically offer standard limited warranties that range from one to two years and vary by product. We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty reserves include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty repairs and the cost per repair. While we engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our component suppliers, our estimated warranty obligation is affected by ongoing product failure rates, specific product class failures outside our baseline experience, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. If actual product failure rates, material usage or service delivery costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required. For example, our warranty expense decreased $0.6 million in 2015 from 2014, driven primarily by lower warranty expense associated with our mini-VSAT products.
Assumptions and historical warranty experience are evaluated to determine the appropriateness of such assumptions. We assess the adequacy of the warranty provision on a quarterly basis and we adjust this provision when necessary.
Stock-Based Compensation
Our stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period.
We use the Black-Scholes valuation model for estimating the fair value on the date of grant of compensatory stock options. Determining the fair value of stock option awards at the grant date requires judgment regarding certain valuation assumptions, including the volatility of our stock price, expected term of the option, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Changes in these assumptions and estimates could result in different fair values and could therefore impact our earnings. These changes would not impact our cash flows. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based upon our stock price on the grant date.
The amount of stock-based compensation expense recorded in any period for unvested awards requires estimates of the amount of stock-based awards that are expected to be forfeited prior to vesting.
Compensation costs for awards subject only to service conditions that vest ratably are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment. If an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, we will perform an interim test at that time. The impairment test begins by allocating goodwill to its reporting unit. Goodwill is then tested using a two-step process that begins with an estimation of the fair value of the reporting unit using an income approach, which looks to the present value of expected future cash flows. The impairment test is performed through the application of a two-step process. The first step is a screen for potential impairment by comparing the carrying value of our reporting units to their estimated fair values as of the test date. The estimated cash flows are calculated using an income approach. If fair value is less than carrying value, a second step is performed to quantify the amount of the impairment, if any.
Intangible assets with estimated lives and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of intangible assets with estimated lives and other long-lived assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If these comparisons indicate that an asset is not recoverable, we will recognize an impairment loss for the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the related estimated fair value. Estimated fair value is based on either discounted future operating cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the asset.

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Considerable judgment is required to estimate discounted future operating cash flows. Judgment is also required in determining whether an event has occurred that may impair the value of goodwill or identifiable intangible or other long-lived assets. Factors that could indicate an impairment may exist include significant underperformance relative to plan or long-term projections, changes in business strategy, significant negative industry or economic trends, a significant change in circumstances relative to a large customer, a significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period and a decline in our market capitalization to below net book value. We must make assumptions about future cash flows, future operating plans, discount rates and other factors in our models and valuation reports. To the extent these future projections and estimates change, the estimated amounts of impairment could differ from current estimates. Our annual testing for impairment of goodwill is completed as of August 31 of each year. As of August 31, 2015, we performed our annual impairment test for goodwill at the reporting unit level and, after conducting the first step, determined that it was not necessary to conduct the second step as we concluded that the fair value of our reporting units exceeded their carrying value. Accordingly, we determined no adjustment to goodwill was necessary. There were no indicators of potential goodwill, intangible asset, or other long-lived asset impairment noted as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, we have goodwill of $36.7 million and intangible assets of $26.8 million, which are associated with the purchase of Virtek Communication in September 2010, Headland Media Limited (KVH Media Group) in May 2013, and Videotel in July 2014.
Contingencies
We are subject to ongoing business risks arising in the ordinary course of business. See Item 3. Legal Proceedings, for more information regarding litigation matters. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that a liability has been incurred or an asset has been impaired and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to determine whether such amounts should be adjusted and record changes in estimates in the period they become known. We reserve for legal contingencies and legal fees when the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. At December 31, 2015, we had settled a legal claim for a cash payment by us. The cash payment was included in accrued other in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015. The cash payment was made in January 2016.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically funded our operations primarily from cash flows from operations, bank financings, proceeds received from exercises of stock options, and net proceeds from public and private equity offerings. As of December 31, 2015, we had $45.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, of which $8.1 million in cash equivalents were held in local currencies by our foreign subsidiaries. There were no marketable securities held by our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, we had $71.5 million in working capital.

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operations for 2015 was $8.4 million as compared to net cash provided by operations of $10.4 million for 2014. The $2.0 million decrease is primarily due to a $5.1 million increase in cash outflows related to accounts payable, a $4.6 million increase in cash outflows related to inventory, a $3.3 million increase in cash outflows related to deferred revenue, and a $2.7 million increase in cash outflows related to prepaid expenses and other current assets. Partially offsetting the increase in cash outflows were a $4.2 million net increase in non-cash items, $4.0 million increase in cash inflows related to accrued expenses, $2.4 million decrease in cash outflows related to accounts receivable, and a $2.2 million increase in net income.
Net cash provided by operations for 2014 was $10.4 million as compared to net cash provided by operations of $16.3 million for 2013. The $5.9 million decrease is primarily due to a decrease in cash inflows attributable to accounts receivable of $9.5 million, a $4.5 million decrease in net income (which reflects a $4.0 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense and a $1.1 million increase in deferred income taxes), and a $1.4 million increase in cash outflows related to accrued expenses and accounts payable. Partially offsetting the decrease in cash inflows were a $2.8 million decrease in cash outflows related to inventory, a $1.5 million increase in cash inflows related to deferred revenue, a $1.2 million decrease in cash outflows related to other non-current assets, and a $0.5 million decrease in cash outflows related to prepaid expenses and other assets.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for 2015 was $3.8 million as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $26.7 million for 2014. The $22.9 million decrease in cash outflows is primarily due to the net cash paid for the acquisition of Videotel of $43.5 million in 2014, which was partially offset by a $20.0 million decrease in outflows related to our net investment in marketable securities in 2015. Capital expenditures also increased by $0.6 million from 2014 to 2015.

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Net cash used in investing activities for 2014 was $26.7 million as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $44.7 million for 2013. The $18.1 million decrease in cash outflows is primarily due to the net cash paid for the acquisition of Videotel of $43.5 million in 2014 and an increase in capital expenditures of $0.4 million. Partially offsetting the increase in cash outflows is a $39.0 million decrease in our net investment in marketable securities. In 2013, we used $22.9 million to acquire Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group).
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for 2015 was $6.3 million as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $32.7 million for 2014. The $39.0 million increase in cash used in financing activities is primarily due to the fact that, in 2014, we received proceeds from borrowings on a term note, net of payments, in the amount of $63.8 million in 2014. These proceeds were offset in 2014 by a $30.0 million repayment of borrowings under a line of credit in connection with the debt restructuring we undertook in connection with the acquisition of Videotel. The increase in cash used in financing activities also resulted from a $3.7 million increase in repayments of term note borrowings and a $0.3 million decrease in proceeds from exercises of stock options and purchases under our employee stock purchase plan.
Net cash provided by financing activities for 2014 was $32.7 million as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $29.3 million for 2013. The $3.4 million increase in cash provided by financing activities is primarily due to the net proceeds from borrowings on a term note, net of payments, in the amount of $63.8 million in 2014. These proceeds were offset by a $30.0 million repayment of borrowings under a line of credit in connection with the debt restructuring we undertook in connection with the acquisition of Videotel, as well as a $1.7 million decrease in proceeds from exercises of stock options and purchases under our employee stock purchase plan and $1.3 million in repayments of long-term debt. In 2013, we received $23.0 million in proceeds from line of credit borrowings, which we used to finance the majority of the acquisition cost of Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) in May 2013, and $5.8 million from borrowings on long-term debt associated with the equipment security notes that we entered into in January and December 2013.
Borrowing Arrangements
Principal Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2015, there was $58.9 million in aggregate principal amount outstanding under our principal credit facility. On July 1, 2014, we entered into a five-year senior credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders named from time to time as parties thereto, for an aggregate amount of up to $80.0 million, including a revolving credit facility of up to $15.0 million and a term loan of $65.0 million to be used for general corporate purposes, including both the refinancing of the $30.0 million of indebtedness then outstanding under our former credit facility and permitted acquisitions. We also entered into a security agreement with respect to our grant of a security interest in substantially all of our assets in order to secure our obligations under the credit agreement and the related notes and pledge agreements with respect to our grant of a security interest in 65% of the capital stock of each of KVH Industries A/S and KVH Industries U.K. Limited held by us in order to secure our obligations under the credit agreement and the notes. We amended the credit agreement in June 2015 to modify the circumstances under which certain changes in our Board of Directors would constitute a change of control. We further amended the credit agreement in September 2015 to modify the Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of September 30, 2015, as described below.
We executed $65.0 million in term notes on July 1, 2014 in connection with our acquisition of Videotel. We applied proceeds in the amount of $35.0 million toward the payment of a portion of the purchase price for Videotel, and we applied proceeds in the amount of $30.0 million toward the refinancing of the then-outstanding balance under our former credit facility. We must make principal repayments on the term loan in the amount of approximately $1.2 million at the end of each of the first eight three-month periods following the closing; thereafter, we must make principal repayments in the amount of approximately $1.6 million for each succeeding three-month period until the maturity of the loan on July 1, 2019. On the maturity date, the entire remaining principal balance of the loan, including any future loans under the revolver, is due and payable, together with all accrued and unpaid interest, penalties and other amounts due and payable under the credit agreement. The credit agreement contains provisions requiring the mandatory prepayment of amounts outstanding under the term loan and the revolver under specified circumstances, including (i) 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain dispositions to the extent not reinvested in our business within a stated period, (ii) 50% of the net cash proceeds from stated equity issuances and (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds from certain receipts of more than $250,000 outside the ordinary course of business. The prepayments are first applied to the term loan, in inverse order of maturity, and then to the revolver. In the discretion of the administrative agent, certain mandatory prepayments made on the revolver can permanently reduce the amount of credit available under the revolver.
Loans under the credit agreement bear interest at varying rates determined in accordance with the credit agreement. Each LIBOR Rate Loan, as defined in the credit agreement, bears interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each

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interest period from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate or LIBOR Monthly Floating Rate, each as defined in the credit agreement, as applicable, plus the Applicable Rate, as defined in the credit agreement, and each Base Rate Loan, as defined in the credit agreement, bears interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate, as defined in the credit agreement, plus the Applicable Rate. The Applicable Rate ranges from 1.50% to 2.25%, depending on our Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the credit agreement. The highest Applicable Rate applies when the Consolidated Leverage Ratio exceeds 2.00:1.00. Upon certain defaults, including failure to make payments when due, interest becomes payable at a higher default rate.
Borrowings under the revolver are subject to the satisfaction of numerous conditions precedent at the time of each borrowing, including the continued accuracy of our representations and warranties and the absence of any default under the credit agreement. As of December 31, 2015, there were no borrowings outstanding under the revolver.
The credit agreement contains two financial covenants, a Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio and a Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, each as defined in the credit agreement. In September 2015, the Maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio was increased from 1.00:1.00 to 1.75:1.00 for September 30, 2015, 1.50:1.00 for December 31, 2015, and 1.25:1.00 for March 31, 2016 and each fiscal quarter thereafter. The Minimum Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio may not be less than 1.25:1.00. We were in compliance with these financial ratio debt covenants as of December 31, 2015.
The credit agreement imposes certain other affirmative and negative covenants, including without limitation covenants with respect to the payment of taxes and other obligations, compliance with laws, entry into material contracts, creation of liens, incurrence of indebtedness, investments, dispositions, fundamental changes, restricted payments, changes in the nature of our business, transactions with affiliates, corporate and accounting changes, and sale and leaseback arrangements.
Our obligation to repay loans under the credit agreement could be accelerated upon a default or event of default under the terms of the credit agreement, including certain failures to pay principal or interest when due, certain breaches of representations and warranties, the failure to comply with our affirmative and negative covenants under the credit agreement, a change of control, certain defaults in payment relating to other indebtedness, the acceleration of payment of certain other indebtedness, certain events relating to our liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership, the entry of certain judgments against us, certain events relating to the impairment of collateral or the lenders’ security interest therein, and any other material adverse change with respect to us.
Mortgage Loan
On April 6, 2009, we entered into a mortgage loan in the amount of $4.0 million related to our headquarters facility in Middletown, Rhode Island. On June 9, 2011, we entered into an amendment to the mortgage loan. The loan term is ten years, with a principal amortization of 20 years, and the interest rate will be a rate per year adjusted periodically based on a defined interest period equal to the BBA LIBOR Rate plus 2.00 percentage points. Land, building and improvements with an approximate carrying value of approximately $5.0 million as of December 31, 2015 secure the mortgage loan. The monthly mortgage payment is approximately $12,000, plus interest and increases in increments of $1,000 each year throughout the life of the mortgage. Due to the difference in the term of the loan and amortization of the principal, a balloon payment of $2.6 million is due on April 1, 2019. The loan contains one financial covenant, a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, which applies in the event that our consolidated cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balance falls below $25.0 million at any time. As our consolidated cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities balance was above $25.0 million throughout 2015, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio did not apply. Under the mortgage loan we may prepay our outstanding loan balance subject to certain early termination charges as defined in the mortgage loan agreement. If we were to default on our mortgage loan, the land, building and improvements would be used as collateral. As discussed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, effective April 1, 2010, in order to reduce the volatility of cash outflows that arise from changes in interest rates, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements that are intended to hedge our mortgage interest obligations by fixing the interest rates specified in the mortgage loan to 5.9% for half of the principal amount outstanding and 6.1% for the remaining half of the principal amount outstanding as of April 1, 2010 until the mortgage loan expires on April 16, 2019.
Other Matters
It is our intent to continue to invest in the mini-VSAT Broadband network on a global basis in cooperation with ViaSat under the terms of a ten-year agreement announced in July 2008. As part of the future potential capacity expansion, we would plan to seek to acquire additional satellite capacity from satellite operators, expend funds to seek regulatory approvals and permits, develop product enhancements in anticipation of the expansion, and hire additional personnel. In December 2011, we entered into a five-year agreement to lease satellite capacity from a satellite operator, effective February 1, 2012, and in 2012 we also purchased three satellite hubs to support this added capacity. The total cost of the five-year satellite capacity agreement,

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the satellite hubs, and teleport services is approximately $12.2 million, of which approximately $2.7 million related to the total cost of the three hubs. On January 30, 2013, we borrowed $4.7 million from a bank and pledged as collateral six satellite hubs and related equipment, including the three hubs purchased in 2012. The term of the equipment loan is five years, and the loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 2.76% per annum. The monthly payment is approximately $83,000, including interest expense. On December 30, 2013, we borrowed $1.2 million from a bank and pledged as collateral one satellite hub and related equipment. The term of the equipment loan is five years, and the loan bears interest at a fixed rate of 3.08% per annum. The monthly payment is approximately $21,000, including interest expense.
On November 26, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase up to one million shares of our common stock. The share repurchase program is funded using our existing cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities and future cash flows. As of December 31, 2015, 341,009 shares of our common stock remain available for repurchase under the program. We did not purchase any shares of our common stock in 2015.
As of December 31, 2015, we held $45.3 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. We believe that our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, together with our other existing working capital and cash flows from operations, will be adequate to meet planned operating and capital requirements through at least the next twelve months. However, as the need or opportunity arises, we may seek to raise additional capital through public or private sales of securities or through additional debt financing. There are no assurances that we will be able to obtain any additional funding or that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us.
Contractual Obligations and Other Commercial Commitments
As of December 31, 2015, our contractual commitments consisted of satellite service capacity, near-term purchase commitments, term notes payable, a mortgage note payable, equipment notes payable, and equipment and facility leases. Our purchase commitments include unconditional purchase orders for inventory, manufacturing materials and fixed assets extending out over various periods throughout 2016. We are also obligated under satellite service capacity leases and multi-year facility leases that terminate at various times between 2016 and 2020.
The following table summarizes our obligations under these commitments, excluding interest, at December 31, 2015:
 
 
Payment Due by Period
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More than
5 Years
 
 
(in thousands)
Term notes payable
 
$
58,906

 
$
5,281

 
$
13,000

 
$
40,625

 
$

Satellite service capacity and related equipment lease obligations
 
31,492

 
13,530

 
14,265

 
3,697

 

Inventory, materials, and fixed asset purchase commitments
 
21,678

 
21,678

 

 

 

Mortgage notes payable
 
3,114

 
163

 
354

 
2,597

 

Equipment notes payable
 
2,672

 
1,194

 
1,478

 

 

Facility lease obligations
 
2,231

 
595

 
957

 
450

 
229

Total
 
$
120,093

 
$
42,441

 
$
30,054

 
$
47,369

 
$
229

We did not have any off-balance sheet commitments, guarantees, or standby repurchase obligations as of December 31, 2015.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 of our accompanying audited consolidated financial statements for a description of recently issued accounting pronouncements including the dates of adoption and effects on our results of operations, financial position and disclosures.



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ITEM 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk
Our primary market risk exposures are interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates because we finance certain operations through fixed and variable rate debt instruments.
We had $58.9 million in borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2015, at an interest rate equal to the LIBOR Daily Floating Rate plus 1.50% under our variable-rate credit facility. For more information regarding our credit facility, see Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Borrowing Arrangements. A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in interest rates would have an approximately $0.2 million impact on our annual interest expense, based on the $58.9 million outstanding at December 31, 2015 with an interest rate of 2.41%.
As discussed in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, effective April 1, 2010, in order to reduce the volatility of cash outflows that arise from changes in interest rates, we entered into two interest rate swap agreements. These interest rate swap agreements are intended to hedge our mortgage loan related to our headquarters facility in Middletown, Rhode Island by fixing the interest rates specified in the mortgage loan to 5.9% for half of the principal amount outstanding and 6.1% for the remaining half of the principal amount outstanding as of April 1, 2010 until the mortgage loan expires on April 16, 2019.
We are exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations related to our subsidiary operations in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Brazil, Singapore, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Japan, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Certain transactions in these locations are made in the local currency, yet are reported in the U.S. dollar, the functional currency. For foreign currency exposures existing at December 31, 2015, a 10% unfavorable movement in the foreign exchange rates for our subsidiary locations would not expose us to material losses in earnings or cash flows.
From time to time, we have purchased foreign currency forward contracts. These forward contracts are intended to offset the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on cash flows of our foreign subsidiaries. Foreign exchange contracts are accounted for as cash flow hedges and are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value until executed. Changes in the fair value are recognized in earnings. We did not enter into any such contracts during 2015. However, we did inherit cash flow hedges from our acquisition of Headland Media Limited (now known as the KVH Media Group) in May 2013, all of which settled prior to December 31, 2014. We do not currently anticipate that we will enter into new agreements to replace the settled contracts.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal and maintain liquidity, while at the same time maximizing income. We have not entered into any instruments for trading purposes. Some of the securities that we invest in may have market risk. To minimize this risk, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of securities that can include United States treasuries, certificates of deposit, investment grade asset-backed corporate securities, money market mutual funds, municipal bonds, and government agency and non-government debt securities. As of December 31, 2015, a hypothetical 100 basis-point increase in interest rates would have resulted in an immaterial decrease in the fair value of our investments that had maturities of greater than one year. Due to the conservative nature of our investments and the relatively short duration of their maturities, we believe this interest rate risk is substantially mitigated. As of December 31, 2015, 59% of the $22.6 million classified as available-for-sale marketable securities will mature or reset within one year. Accordingly, long-term interest rate risk is not considered material for our investment activities. We did not invest in any financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2015.
ITEM 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our consolidated financial statements and supplementary data, together with the reports of Grant Thornton LLP and KPMG LLP, our independent registered public accounting firms, are included in Part IV of this annual report.

ITEM 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.


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ITEM 9A.
Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2015.

Remediation of Material Weaknesses Identified as of December 31, 2014

As of December 31, 2014, management performed its assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and concluded that our internal control over financial reporting as of that date was not effective because of the material weaknesses described below.

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Last year, management's assessment identified the following control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting as material weaknesses as of December 31, 2014:

We enter into guidance and stabilization contracts that may contain bill and hold provisions. We have a control to identify and evaluate these types of transactions that have been recognized each quarter. However, the control did not operate effectively during 2014 because it did not identify a bill and hold transaction at December 31, 2014 for evaluation by the finance team in the quarter in which it was reported.
We engage a third party to assist in the preparation of our quarterly and annual income tax provisions. However, our preliminary provision at December 31, 2014 did not properly identify changes in the Rhode Island tax rate and related impact on the realizability of the state tax asset carryforwards. We adjusted those amounts before filing our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2014, we did not have sufficient controls over the review of the work performed by the third party to ensure accurate financial reporting.
We lease our antenna products directly to certain end users and also enter into airtime service agreements with these customers. The pricing of the lease and airtime service agreement is negotiated with each individual customer. As of December 31, 2014, we did not have a control designed and implemented to evaluate these multi-element arrangements to ensure proper allocation of the transaction price among the elements.

Following the identification of the foregoing material weaknesses in connection with management's assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, management implemented a remediation plan, which included the following:
With respect to bill and hold arrangements, we revised the process of entering sales orders into our general ledger to facilitate identification of these arrangements at the time they are created. We instituted written procedures to document all material bill and hold arrangements, as well as other terms and conditions that may impact revenue recognition, such as multiple-element arrangements. We perform quarterly assessments of quantities of inventory on hand that are subject to bill and hold arrangements with customers. We also instituted enhancements to our existing review controls through the implementation of more detailed checklists and the involvement of additional personnel with knowledge of these arrangements.
With respect to reliance on third parties to assist in the calculation of our provision for income taxes, we instituted a more formalized process to review the work completed by third parties, including detailed checklists to perform a proper evaluation of each element of the apportionment of state taxes and any related impact on our deferred tax assets.

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With respect to the allocation of revenue for multiple-element arrangements involving leased antennas and airtime service agreements, we instituted a new control in the first quarter of 2015 to review each lease at the time of execution in order to assess and document any lease discount arising from reasonably anticipated airtime service agreements.
These remediation plans were implemented during 2015 and were successfully tested as of December 31, 2015. On that basis, management concluded that the material weaknesses have been remediated as of December 31, 2015.

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is the process designed by and under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management has evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).

Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management has assessed the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015 and concluded that it was effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP, has issued a report regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, and that report is included in Item 9A in this annual report.

Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management has evaluated changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fourth quarter of 2015. Based on that evaluation, other than the remediation of the material weaknesses discussed above, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer did not identify any change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Important Considerations
The effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the soundness of our systems, the possibility of human error, and the risk of fraud. Moreover, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions and the risk that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate over time. Because of these limitations, there can be no assurance that any system of disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting will be successful in preventing all errors or fraud or in making all material information known in a timely manner to the appropriate levels of management.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
KVH Industries, Inc.

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of KVH Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (“Management’s Report”). Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015, and our report dated March 14, 2016, which expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
 
Boston, Massachusetts
March 14, 2016


ITEM 9B.
Other Information
    
None.


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PART III
We have omitted the information required in Part III of this annual report because we intend to include that information in our definitive proxy statement for our 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, which we expect to file before 120 days after the end of fiscal 2015. We incorporate the information required in Part III of this annual report by reference to our 2016 proxy statement.

ITEM 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Except as set forth below, the information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our 2016 proxy statement.
Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors, executive officers and employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found on our website, which is located at www.kvh.com. We intend to make all required disclosures concerning any amendments to or waivers from, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website. Any person may request a copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, at no cost, by writing to us at the following address: KVH Industries, Inc., 50 Enterprise Center, Middletown, Rhode Island, 02842, Attention: Investor Relations.

ITEM 11.
Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our 2016 proxy statement.

ITEM 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our 2016 proxy statement.

ITEM 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our 2016 proxy statement.

ITEM 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our 2016 proxy statement.


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PART IV
ITEM 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
 
 
Page
(a)
1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
2.
Financial Statement Schedules
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
None.
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.
Exhibits
 

Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
Filed with
this Form
10-K
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
Form
 
Filing Date
 
Exhibit No.
2.1

 
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 11, 2013 by and among KVH Industries, Inc., Oakley Capital Private Equity L.P. and the other parties thereto

 
 
 
8-K
 
May 14, 2013
 
2.1

2.2

 
Share Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 2, 2014, by and between KVH Media Group Limited and Nigel Cleave
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 3, 2014
 
2.1

3.1

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended
 
 
 
10-Q
 
August 6,
2010
 
3.1

3.2

 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of KVH Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
8-K
 
April 30, 2014
 
3.1

4.1

 
Specimen certificate for the common stock
 
 
 
S-1/A
 
March 22,
1996
 
4.1

*10.1

 
Amended and Restated 1996 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 31, 2007
 
10.3

*10.2

 
Amended and Restated 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
 
 
DEF 14A
 
April 25, 2013
 
App. B

*10.3

 
Second Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
 
 
10-Q
 
May 6, 2009
 
10.21

*10.4

 
Fourth Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
 
 
 
DEF 14A
 
April 25, 2013
 
App. A

*10.5

 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option agreement granted under the Second Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
 
 
10-K
 
March 15,
2005
 
10.14

*10.6

 
Form of Incentive Stock Option agreement granted under the Second Amended and Restated 2003 Incentive and Nonqualified Stock Option Plan
 
 
 
10-K
 
March 15,
2005
 
10.15



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Exhibit No.
 
Description
 
Filed with
this Form
10-K
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
Form
 
Filing Date
 
Exhibit No.
*10.7

 
Form of Incentive Stock Option agreement granted under the Fourth Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
 
 
 
8-K
 
August 28,
2006
 
10.1

*10.8

 
Form of Non-Statutory Stock Option agreement granted under the Fourth Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
 
 
 
8-K
 
August 28,
2006
 
10.2

*10.9

 
Form of Restricted Stock Agreement granted under the Fourth Amended and Restated 2006 Stock Incentive Plan
 
 
 
8-K
 
August 16,
2007
 
10.1

*10.10

 
Policy Regarding Automatic Grants to Non-Employee Directors
 
 
 
10-Q
 
May 6, 2009
 
10.23

10.11

 
Loan Agreement dated April 6, 2009 by and among KVH Industries, Inc., and Bank of America, N.A.
 
 
 
8-K
 
April 8,
2009
 
10.1

10.12

 
Second Amendment, dated June 9, 2011 by and between KVH Industries, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A., amending the Loan Agreement, dated April 6, 2009, as amended
 
 
 
8-K
 
June 14,
2011
 
10.2

10.13

 
Master Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2013 by and between KVH Industries, Inc. and Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC
 
 
 
8-K
 
February 5, 2013
 
10.1

10.14

 
Equipment Security Note, dated as of January 30, 2013 by and between KVH Industries, Inc. and Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC
 
 
 
8-K
 
February 5, 2013
 
10.2

10.15

 
Credit Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, by and between Bank of America, N.A., The Washington Trust Company and KVH Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 3, 2014
 
10.1

10.16

 
Term Notes, dated as of July 1, 2014, by and between KVH Industries, Inc. and each of Bank of America, N.A. and The Washington Trust Company
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 3, 2014
 
10.2

10.17

 
Revolving Credit Notes, dated as of July 1, 2014, by and between KVH Industries, Inc. and each of Bank of America, N.A. and The Washington Trust Company
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 3, 2014
 
10.3

10.18

 
Security Agreement, dated as of July 1, 2014, by and between Bank of America, N.A. and KVH Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 3, 2014
 
10.4

10.19

 
Pledge Agreements, dated as of July 1, 2014, by and between Bank of America, N.A. and KVH Industries, Inc. with respect to KVH Industries A/S and KVH Industries U.K. Limited
 
 
 
8-K
 
July 3, 2014
 
10.5

10.20

 
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 15, 2015, by and among Bank of America, N.A., The Washington Trust Company and KVH Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
10-Q/A
 
August 13, 2015
 
10.1

10.21

 
Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30, 2015, by and among Bank of America, N.A., The Washington Trust Company and KVH Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
8-K
 
October 5, 2015
 
10.1

21.1

 
List of Subsidiaries
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.1

 
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.2

 
Consent of KPMG LLP
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1

 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of principal executive officer
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2

 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) certification of principal financial officer
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1

 
Rule 1350 certification
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 

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101.1

 
Interactive Data File regarding (a) our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, (b) our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, (c) our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, (d) our Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, (e) our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 and (e) the Notes to such Consolidated Financial Statements
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*
Management contract or compensatory plan.
    


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
KVH Industries, Inc.
 
 
 
Date: March 14, 2016
By:
/S/    MARTIN A. KITS VAN HEYNINGEN
 
 
Martin A. Kits van Heyningen
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Name
  
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    MARTIN A. KITS VAN HEYNINGEN
  
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board (Principal Executive Officer)
 
March 14, 2016
Martin A. Kits van Heyningen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    PETER A. RENDALL
  
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
March 14, 2016
Peter A. Rendall
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Director
 
March 14, 2016
Robert W.B. Kits van Heyningen
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    MARK S. AIN
  
Director
 
March 14, 2016
Mark S. Ain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    STANLEY K. HONEY
  
Director
 
March 14, 2016
Stanley K. Honey
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    BRUCE J. RYAN
  
Director
 
March 14, 2016
Bruce J. Ryan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/S/    CHARLES R. TRIMBLE
  
Director
 
March 14, 2016
Charles R. Trimble
 
 
 
 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
KVH Industries, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of KVH Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of KVH Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated March 14, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion.

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
March 14, 2016

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
KVH Industries, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of KVH Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and the cash flows of KVH Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/    KPMG LLP
Providence, Rhode Island
March 17, 2014


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KVH INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
22,719

 
$
25,289

Marketable securities
22,619

 
24,513

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,534 as of December 31, 2015 and $2,723 as of December 31, 2014
43,895

 
39,936

Inventories
21,589

 
17,424

Prepaid expenses and other assets
4,271

 
2,953

Current deferred tax asset

 
2,772

Total current assets
115,093

 
112,887

Property and equipment, less accumulated depreciation of $43,202 as of December 31, 2015 and $41,486 as of December 31, 2014
39,900

 
41,696

Intangible assets, less accumulated amortization of $11,390 as of December 31, 2015 and $5,864 as of December 31, 2014
26,755

 
33,641

Goodwill
36,747

 
40,454

Other non-current assets
3,096

 
4,469

Non-current deferred income tax asset
4,686

 
2,690

Total assets
$
226,277

 
$
235,837

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
8,975

 
$
12,460

Accrued compensation and employee-related expenses
6,588

 
4,932

Accrued other
12,042

 
10,963

Accrued product warranty costs
1,880

 
1,853

Deferred revenue
5,962

 
7,791

Current portion of long-term debt
6,638

 
6,188

Liability for uncertain tax positions
1,474

 
3,500

Total current liabilities
43,559

 
47,687

Other long-term liabilities
1,391

 
1,459

Long-term debt, excluding current portion
58,054

 
64,687

Non-current deferred income tax liability
5,097

 
5,464

Total liabilities
$
108,101

 
$
119,297

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 1, 5, 6 and 17)

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 1,000,000 shares; none issued

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 30,000,000 shares, 17,336,314 and
17,152,743 shares issued; 15,677,323 and 15,493,752 shares outstanding at
December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
173

 
172

Additional paid-in capital
124,619

 
121,084

Accumulated earnings
14,134

 
11,881

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(7,600
)
 
(3,447
)
 
131,326

 
129,690

Less: treasury stock at cost, common stock, 1,658,991 shares as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
(13,150
)
 
(13,150
)
Total stockholders’ equity
118,176

 
116,540

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
226,277

 
$
235,837


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KVH INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Sales:
 
 
 
 
 
Product
$
76,213

 
$
81,143

 
$
90,295

Service
108,421

 
91,448

 
71,993

Net sales
184,634

 
172,591

 
162,288

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Costs of product sales
47,404

 
48,843

 
51,518

Costs of service sales
54,816

 
50,301

 
45,058

Research and development
14,039

 
14,101

 
12,987

Sales, marketing and support
35,714

 
32,976

 
28,792

General and administrative
29,453

 
24,448

 
17,764

Total costs and expenses
181,426

 
170,669

 
156,119

Income from operations
3,208

 
1,922

 
6,169

Interest income
546

 
738

 
657

Interest expense
1,460

 
1,296

 
637

Other income (expense)
372

 
(39
)
 
494

Income before income tax expense
2,666

 
1,325

 
6,683

Income tax expense
413

 
1,284

 
2,150

Net income
$
2,253

 
$
41

 
$
4,533

Per share information:
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share, basic
$
0.14

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.30

Net income per share, diluted
$
0.14

 
$
0.00

 
$
0.30

Number of shares used in per share calculation:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
15,625

 
15,420

 
15,144

Diluted
15,834

 
15,605

 
15,341



See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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KVH INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(in thousands)
 
Year Ended December 31,