Contract from Boeing for Ground Based Beam Forming System for Mobile Satellite Ventures
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New technology helps make mobile satellite devices much more mobile
Germantown, MD - ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has been awarded an initial contract valued at approximately $57 million with options for an additional $15 million by Boeing (NYSE:BA) to develop a ground-based beam forming (GBBF) system for a new mobile communication network covering North America. The beam forming system will operate with Boeing�s new MSV satellites, being provided for Mobile Satellite Ventures (MSV). The MSV network is designed to deliver advanced voice and data services via a seamless satellite/terrestrial hybrid architecture into devices that are virtually identical to today�s cell phone handsets in terms of aesthetics, cost, function and mobility.
ViaSat will supply Boeing with GBBF processors, Calibration Earth Stations, and the control and management subsystem for the three satellite networks.
ViaSat�s ground-based beam forming system creates hundreds of small, flexible, adaptive �spot� beams on the earth that allow mobile handsets to communicate directly with the satellite with smaller antennas, higher speeds, and better performance than ever before. While the beams are projected to the earth by the satellites, the actual beam shaping signal processing is done in the ground system and allows MSV to optimize the use of frequency spectrum shared between the satellite and terrestrial cellular towers. MSV holds a number of patents for integrating satellite and Ancillary Terrestrial Component (ATC) resources into a seamless mobile network combining the ubiquity of satellite with the convenience and indoor coverage of conventional cellular networks.
Stephen T. O�Neill, president, Boeing Satellite Systems International, Inc. said, �This contract provides technologies to help ensure the success of the advanced MSV hybrid mobile telecommunications network. The ground-based beam-forming technology allows for a lighter, more efficient satellite, and keeping the technology on the ground instead of in orbit means we can upgrade the system as the technology advances.�
�GBBF is a very strategic technology for substantially enhancing the performance and capacity of spot beam satellites. And, the combination of GBBF with MSV ATC technology offers a powerful new platform for hybrid space/ground delivery of advanced mobile digital services of all types,� said Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat. �We are delighted to be working with Boeing and MSV on this state-of-the-art mobile system.�
�This GBBF program creates a tremendous new technology platform at Comsat Labs,� said Dr. Prakash Chitre, VP and general manager, of the Comsat Labs Division of ViaSat, which is leading ViaSat�s efforts. �The Labs has a long history of inventing and deploying new satellite communications technologies. We believe that GBBF, and our relationships with Boeing and MSV, will help foster other new and important satellite networking advances in the future.�
About Comsat Labs
Comsat Labs is celebrating nearly four decades of pioneering leadership in satellite communications. Acquired by ViaSat in 2001 from Lockheed Martin, Comsat Labs was established with the charter to perform leading-edge research and development in support of the global satellite communications system and now owns an extensive portfolio of patents. Technologies covered by these patents include satellite networking, modems, coding, voice and video encoding, IP and ATM via satellite, satellite ground terminals, onboard processing, advanced satellite design, and antennas.
Safe Harbor Statement
Portions of this release, particularly statements about the performance and delivery of ViaSat products, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: ViaSat�s ability to perform under existing contracts; changes in product supply, pricing and customer demand; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, customers or suppliers; changes in government regulations; changes in economic conditions globally and in the communications markets in particular; increased competition; potential product liability; infringement and other claims; and other factors affecting the communications industry generally. ViaSat refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled Factors That May Affect Future Performance in ViaSat�s Form 10-Ks and subsequent Form 10-Qs. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.
Comsat Labs and Comsat Laboratories are tradenames of ViaSat, Inc. Neither Comsat Labs nor Comsat Laboratories is affiliated with COMSAT Corporation. �Comsat� is a registered trademark of COMSAT Corporation.

