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Ku-band Mobile Broadband Network Coverage Expands to North Pacific

Ku-band Mobile Broadband Network Coverage Expands to North Pacific

2008-10-07 - Mobile Broadband 

First installation in global network build-out with KVH Industries 

ViaSat Inc. is nearly doubling the coverage area for its mobile broadband network with the announcement of coverage over the North Pacific Ocean region. Consistent with a network expansion agreement announced last July between ViaSat and KVH Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI), KVH has signed an agreement to lease satellite capacity on the GE-23 satellite over the North Pacific. In November, ViaSat will install an ArcLight® hub in a teleport in Hawaii and commercial service is expected begin in the region in December. This significant expansion opens up the region to the rapidly growing fleet of aircraft equipped with ViaSat in-flight mobile broadband systems and vessels using the growing KVH mini-VSAT Broadband maritime satellite communication system. The new coverage area will include Alaska, the west coasts of Canada and the United States, Hawaii, and extending into north eastern Asia.

“This is the first step in our promise to grow the network to near-global access and demonstrates our commitment to the joint global network we are building with KVH,” said Don Buchman, ViaSat director of Mobile Broadband. “Along with the continued successful launch of KVH maritime service, the large number of business jets already flying the ViaSat ArcLight system, as well as airliners and government aircraft, will be able to immediately tap into the network in that region.”

The mobile broadband network uses patented ViaSat ArcLight technology, which enables use of very small (12-inch), light-weight antennas. The service offers data download speeds of up to 10 Mbps to the aircraft and up to 512 kbps uploads. Customers can send and receive broadband data, connect to a virtual private network, and access video programming using portable devices, creating an office-in-the-sky experience while on the move.

Forward-Looking Statements
Portions of this release, particularly statements about network expansion, hub installations, near-global or worldwide coverage, the role of ViaSat and KVH in cooperating and establishing networks, the sale of ViaSat equipment and services, and the performance and deliveries of ViaSat products and technology contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and increased competition and other factors affecting the telecommunications industry generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including without limitation, ViaSat’s annual reports on Form 10-K and ViaSat’s 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.

 


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