Advanced Television

Inmarsat

Viasat axes 800 staff

Satellite operator Viasat, which also now owns London-based Inmarsat, is to let 800 staff go as a result of integrating the two business. The lay-offs represent some 10 per cent of Viasat’s workforce. Viasat said the move would save $100 million (€93.9m) in annual costs by 2025. Costs associated with the decision would be about […]

November 3, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat updates market on VS-3 problem

Viasat has issued interim statements on its current financial position and expectations, and including an update on the situation with ViaSat-3 Americas (VS-3 F1) which suffered a major malfunction with its giant antenna following its launch on May 1st. It has also issued its statement on the loss of Inmarsat I6-F2 which has also failed. […]

October 12, 2023

Inmarsat-6 a complete loss?

Inmarsat’s latest satellite, its I6-F2 craft, has not been manoeuvred since its power failure anomaly was reported. Inmarsat, now owned by Viasat, has not made any announcement but the fear is that the craft will be declared a total loss. Ground observations state that I6-F2’s orbit has changed only very slightly and those likely due […]

September 14, 2023By Chris Forrester

Forecast: Satellite IoT subs at 23.9m by 2027

According to a report from specialist IoT analyst firm Berg Insight, the global satellite IoT communications market is growing at a steady pace. The global satellite IoT subscriber base grew to surpass 4.5 million in 2022. The number of satellite IoT subscribers is forecast increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39.6 per […]

August 30, 2023

Viasat faces key business challenge

It is not yet confirmed but the potential loss of a new satellite for Viasat of California could pose a major problem for the company. But some experts suggest the loss might prove to be a blessing in disguise. The satellite in question is Inmarsat I6-F2 craft, but the probable loss comes hard on the […]

August 29, 2023

Inmarsat: “Free is the future for IFC”

Airline passengers can – on some aircraft – already enjoy free in-flight WiFi. Other airlines allow their premium passengers either totally ‘free’ broadband or a service that’s good for a set number of minutes. Of course, none of these are truly ‘free’ in that the savvy airline operator has already built the cost of supplying […]

August 9, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat changing Inmarsat’s plan for LEOs?

Inmarsat, prior to its take-over by US-based Viasat, had planned to launch a fleet of low Earth orbiting satellites (Orchestra). It now seems that Viasat is re-thinking the scheme which would save millions in terms of investment. Viasat has written to the FCC withdrawing its applications for V-band satellite spectrum. The letter from Viasat to […]

July 26, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat shares crash

Viasat, which only a few weeks ago was celebrating the acquisition of London-based Inmarsat, is suffering a massive crisis of shareholder confidence following news of its problems with its new ViaSat-3 Americas (VS-3A) satellite. Its shares opened on July 13th at $42.98 and closed on the day at $30.74, a net fall of 28.48 per […]

July 14, 2023

Survey: IFC a key passenger expectation

A survey conducted on behalf of satellite operator Inmarsat (now part of Viasat) has revealed that the vast majority of respondents (82 per cent) agreed that In Flight Communication (IFC) is now a key passenger expectation – whatever the size of the jet. Inmarsat and Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) partnered again to conduct their annual […]

July 6, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat CEO: “Inmarsat acquisition a big step”

Viasat’s CEO Mark Dankberg, in a letter to shareholders following the acquisition of Inmarsat, has said that the purchase represented a “big step” for the business and that the next move was to thoughtfully integrate two companies into a single cohesive team with common purpose, shared insights, targeted innovation, and trusted service delivery. “We have […]

June 20, 2023By Chris Forrester