Advantages of Ku-band mobile broadband proving successful since 2005

ViaSat Inc. recently passed 100,000 flight hours for its ArcLight® airborne broadband system that delivers cable-like broadband service to business aircraft. The Ku-band satellite service, the only one licensed by the FCC, offers faster speeds at a lower cost than either cellular or other satellite mobile broadband alternatives, as well as better service in congested airspace. Aircraft are free to roam the entire coverage area, which today includes North America, the North Atlantic, and Europe.

ViaSat and communications service provider ARINC initiated broadband in-flight service in early 2005. Since then the mobile network has grown to serve maritime vessels and ground vehicles as well as aircraft. Most of the 100,000 hours have been logged by larger business jets using ARINC SKYLink service, such as the Gulfstream G550. [Note: Subsequent to this announcement ViaSat has acquired the SKYLink service and customer base from ARINC.]

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 on the ground, during taxi, and in-flight.

“This milestone validates our claim that our ArcLight technology, using Ku-band satellites, has significant advantages over other mobile broadband systems,” said Don Buchman, director of ViaSat Mobile Broadband Systems. “Once our network expansion is complete, aircraft, ships, and land vehicles will be able to move from one region to another, around the globe, without service interruption.” 

Recently ViaSat announced plans to expand its ArcLight network to provide worldwide coverage by the end of 2009, working with maritime service provider KVH Industries. Mobile broadband coverage of the North Pacific is planned for the end of the year with coverage of Japan and Southeast Asia to follow soon. 

Forward-Looking Statements
Portions of this release, particularly statements about network expansion, 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. 

« Back to news archive