Kenta

What Kenta does

Kenta, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Ergué-gabéric, France, develops radio frequency communication systems with a primary focus on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS). Following its acquisition by Nautel, the company operates under the combined Nautel/Kenta brand and delivers a portfolio of 100% IP standards-based coastal navigation and maritime communication solutions, including GMDSS coastal surveillance (MF/HF/VHF), NAVTEX/NAVDAT maritime safety information systems, NDB (non-directional beacon) systems for land and offshore applications, VHF port communications with ED137-compliant VoIP, VHF coast station radio, MF/HF coastal stations, DGPS, weather radio, and emerging LF PNT/eLORAN resilient navigation systems. The technology stack spans solid-state transmitters, receivers, transceivers, antenna systems, and control-center / MRCC software, integrated to provide turn-key solutions from coverage studies through installation, testing, and maintenance.

Kenta serves government maritime authorities, coast guard and search-and-rescue organizations, port authorities, and offshore operators (oil platforms, support vessels, wind farms), with named deployments for Telecom Egypt, DGAMPA (400 VHF transceivers), Bahawalpur Airport, and — via the Babcock Team INSPIRE consortium — the Canadian Armed Forces. The business model combines hardware sales, professional services (coverage studies, installation, testing, maintenance), and system integration, delivered through direct enterprise field sales with quote-based pricing. Following the Nautel acquisition, Kenta leverages Nautel's distribution network spanning 20,000+ customers across 177 countries.

Name

Kenta

Website

https://kenta.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kenta, now operating as Nautel/Kenta, builds 100% IP-based GMDSS coastal surveillance and maritime RF communication systems for government maritime authorities, ports, and offshore operators worldwide. The firm delivers turn-key MF/HF/VHF solutions from coverage studies through installation and maintenance.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Communication Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Communication & GMDSS Systems (VHF/HF/SATCOM) (IMAJAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Navigation, Communications & Integrated Bridge Systems Engineering (IMAJAGAH), Maritime Security Technology & Surveillance Systems (CCTV, Radar, AIS, Perimeter Intrusion) (TLAHANAC)

Keywords

• Maritime communication systems
• GMDSS radio equipment
• NAVTEX NAVDAT receivers
• VHF MF HF transceivers
• Coastal radio networks

Headquarters

HQ city

Ergué-gabéric

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Sale of IP-based maritime communication hardware including VHF transceivers, MF/HF transmitters, NDB systems
2. Professional Services: Turn-key project management including coverage studies, system installation, testing and maintenance
3. System Integration: Complete GMDSS solutions including antenna systems, control center software, and software solutions for MRCC

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kenta designs, manufactures, and integrates radio frequency communication systems for maritime safety, coastal surveillance, and offshore operations. Its portfolio includes GMDSS coastal station solutions, VHF/MF/HF transceivers, NAVTEX/NAVDAT systems, NDB systems, and VoIP port communication systems, all built on a 100% IP standards-based architecture. The company provides turn-key project delivery including design, installation, commissioning, and after-sales support for maritime authorities, port operators, and offshore industries worldwide.

Product overview

Kenta, acquired by Nautel, operates as part of Nautel Nav providing a comprehensive portfolio of coastal navigation and maritime communication solutions. The offering consists of 100% IP standards-based systems centered around GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) as the primary platform, supplemented by specialized products including NAVTEX/NAVDAT for safety messaging, NDB-Land and NDB-Offshore for non-directional beacon navigation, VHF-Port and VHF-Coast Station Radio for port and coastal communications, MF/HF coastal stations for extended range, DGPS for enhanced positioning, Weather Radio for automated monitoring, LF PNT/eLORAN for resilient positioning/navigation/timing, and Test Laboratory Services for equipment testing. All solutions are designed to work together as an integrated system for maritime safety applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• GMDSS Coastal Station Systems Complete Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) turn-key solutions covering design, installation, and commissioning of coastal radio stations for maritime safety authorities.
• VHF/MF/HF Transceivers High-power, solid-state radio transceivers covering VHF, MF, and HF bands for maritime and coastal communication networks, designed for continuous duty and remote operation.
• NAVTEX and NAVDAT Systems NAVTEX coastal transmitters and NAVDAT transmitters/receivers for broadcasting maritime safety information (MSI) and navigational warnings to ships at sea.
• NDB Systems (Non-Directional Beacons) Non-Directional Beacon (NDB) systems used as navigational aids for aircraft and maritime vessels, providing reliable radio-based positioning reference signals.
• VoIP Port Communication Systems VoIP-based port communication systems enabling IP-based voice communications between port authorities, vessels, and control centers using ED137 standards compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 400 VHF transceivers deployed for DGAMPA GMDSS project

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NautelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNautel acquired Kenta, combining capabilities to offer complete turn-key GMDSS solutions. Nautel manages the integrated Nautel/Kenta brand offering 100% IP-based maritime communication systems globally.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Northrop Grumman Sperry Marine: Supplies navigation, radar, and integrated bridge systems for commercial and naval vessels, including coastal and port infrastructure — directly comparable to Kenta's coastal navigation and GMDSS scope.
• Jotron: Norwegian manufacturer of maritime communication equipment including GMDSS, coastal VHF, and coast station radio systems — the closest direct competitor to Kenta's VHF Coast Station and GMDSS portfolio.
• Cobham SATCOM (Thrane & Thrane): Provides maritime communication terminals (VHF, MF/HF, satellite) widely used by coast stations and commercial fleets — overlapping with Kenta's coastal MF/HF and VHF radio product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Kongsberg Maritime: Major maritime technology supplier covering navigation, communication, and coastal systems for naval and commercial markets — overlapping with Kenta's integrated bridge and GMDSS-adjacent offerings.
• L3Harris Technologies: Large defense prime with maritime and tactical communications offerings, including systems sold to navies and coast guards — a relevant incumbent in the same government buyer universe.
• Furuno Electric: Japanese incumbent in marine electronics with broad navigation, radar, and communication offerings for commercial and government maritime customers, overlapping with Kenta's coastal surveillance and NDB product lines.
• Leonardo: European defense and aerospace group with a maritime communications portfolio (including GMDSS-related systems) that competes for the same government and naval buyers as Kenta/Nautel.
• Saab (TransponderTech / Maritime): Defense and maritime systems prime with AIS, coastal surveillance, and vessel traffic management offerings — competes with Kenta's GMDSS and port communication systems in government tenders.

Emerging players

• Iridium Communications: Satellite operator whose GMDSS-recognized service (Iridium Certus) represents a competing long-term modality for maritime distress and safety communications, potentially overlapping with Kenta's coastal infrastructure role.
• Inmarsat (Viasat): Satellite GMDSS provider offering an alternative to coastal radio infrastructure for maritime safety communications, relevant as a long-term substitute for some of Kenta's coastal MF/HF/VHF use cases.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KENTA_Company
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kenta-sas

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kenta