ViaSat VSAT has
executed a contract with Boeing BA to build ViaSat-2, which is based
on ViaSat's next generation, Ka-band satellite technology and architecture.
ViaSat-2 is expected to be, by far, the world's highest capacity satellite
at the time of launch (scheduled for mid-2016) achieving an unparalleled mix
of capacity and coverage. ViaSat-2 is anticipated to approximately double
the bandwidth economics of ViaSat-1 while simultaneously increasing its
coverage footprint by seven-fold.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091216/VIASATLOGO)
ViaSat-2 Expected to Set New Benchmark for High-Speed Broadband by Satellite
Building on the market success of the ViaSat-1 based Exede(R) Internet
service, which has received multiple awards in recognition of its innovation
and service performance, ViaSat-2 is expected to significantly improve the
speed and availability of broadband services over a greatly expanded
coverage area that includes North America, Central America, the Caribbean, a
small portion of northern South America as well as the primary aeronautical
and maritime routes across the Atlantic Ocean between North America and
Europe.
Today's announcement marks the first major advancement of satellite
broadband technology since the initial development of ViaSat-1, which
recently earned a Guinness World Records(R) title as the highest-capacity
communications satellite in the world. The ViaSat-2 system will include
significant enhancements to ViaSat SurfBeam(R) networking technology and is
designed to multiply the speeds offered to a level commensurate with
high-speed fiber-to-the-node networks (FTTN).
"The market success of ViaSat-1 class satellites has highlighted the
magnitude of the opportunity for truly competitive satellite services," said
Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat. "It's clear that superior
bandwidth economics in space create competitive advantages on the ground, in
the air, and at sea, compared to other satellite and terrestrial
alternatives. ViaSat-2 represents a significant breakthrough in broadband
satellite technology -- for the very first time combining extremely high
bandwidth capacity with very large coverage areas. ViaSat-2 will make it
possible to offer superior in-flight connectivity on applications ranging
from JetBlue leisure flights to the Caribbean to U.S. government aircraft
traveling to Europe or Latin America, to critical national and Homeland
Security missions. ViaSat-2 will also combine unprecedented capacity and
coverage with operational flexibility -- solving historically intractable
issues in geographical distribution of bandwidth demand, capital
investments, and system performance. We believe ViaSat-2 is more than just
state-of-the-art technology, it's a great investment."
ViaSat and Boeing Execute Strategic Agreement
ViaSat-2 represents a cooperative effort with Boeing Space & Intelligence
Systems. The new satellite will be based on the Boeing 702HP satellite bus
and draws on Boeing's four decades of experience gained from the production
of more than 175 commercial communications satellites and its extensive
expertise in Ka-band satellite communication systems. Along with the
execution of the ViaSat-2 satellite contract, ViaSat and Boeing have entered
into a strategic agreement to jointly market and sell satellites systems
based on ViaSat-2 technology.
"The Boeing 702HP is our most powerful satellite platform," said Craig
Cooning, chief executive officer of Boeing Satellite Systems International
and vice president and general manager of Boeing Space & Intelligence
Systems. "This proven capability, integrated with ViaSat's own satellite
technology, will result in what we expect to be the world's highest-capacity
satellite, and will prove to be a major contributor to the expansion of
ViaSat's complete portfolio of broadband services. We are committed to
delivering this satellite on-schedule and with the highest level of mission
assurance."
ViaSat Inc. or its affiliates will be the owner and/or operator of the
ViaSat-2 satellite.
About ViaSat (www.viasat.com)
ViaSat delivers fast, secure communications, Internet, and network access to
virtually any location for consumers, governments, enterprise, and the
military. The company offers fixed and mobile satellite network services
including Exede by ViaSat, which features ViaSat-1, the world's highest
capacity satellite; service to more than 2,300 mobile platforms, including
Yonder(R) Ku-band mobile service; satellite broadband networking systems;
and network-centric military communication systems and cybersecurity
products for the U.S. and allied governments. ViaSat also offers
communication system design and a number of complementary products and
technologies. Based in Carlsbad, California, ViaSat employs over 2,700
people in a number of locations worldwide for technology development,
customer service, and network operations.
About Boeing
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the
world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in
innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's
largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered
in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business
with 61,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to
the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include among others,
statements about the performance, capabilities and anticipated benefits of
the ViaSat-2 satellite, expected capacity, service, speeds, coverage and
other features of ViaSat-2, and the timing, cost, economics and other
benefits associated therewith. Readers are cautioned that actual results
could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the
ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-2 satellite,
unexpected expenses or delays related to the satellite system, the ability
to successfully implement ViaSat's business plan for broadband satellite
services on ViaSat's anticipated timeline or at all, including with respect
to the ViaSat-2 satellite system; risks associated with the construction,
launch and operation of ViaSat-2 and ViaSat's other satellites, including
the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite
performance; negative audits by the U.S. government; continued turmoil in
the global business environment and economic conditions; delays in approving
U.S. government budgets and cuts in government defense expenditures;
ViaSat's reliance on U.S. government contracts, and on a small number of
contracts which account for a significant percentage of ViaSat's revenues;
the ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies,
products and services; reduced demand for products as a result of continued
constraints on capital spending by customers; changes in relationships with,
or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers; reliance on a
limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply ViaSat's products;
increased competition and other factors affecting the communications and
defense industries generally; the effect of adverse regulatory changes on
ViaSat's ability to sell products and services; ViaSat's level of
indebtedness and ability to comply with applicable debt covenants; ViaSat's
involvement in litigation, including intellectual property claims and
litigation to protect proprietary technology; and ViaSat's dependence on a
limited number of key employees. In addition, please refer to the risk
factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov,
including ViaSat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which
they are made. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements for any reason.
ViaSat, Exede, and SurfBeam are registered trademarks of ViaSat Inc.
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