A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled to launch ViaSat-3 F3 on April 27th. The 85-minute launch window opens at 10:21 a.m. EDT at Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A), Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The Boeing-built satellite arrived in Florida on April 7th for pre-launch preparations. ViaSat-3 F3 is the third satellite in Viasat’s new constellation and […]
AST SpaceMobile will pay around $550 million (€474.9m) to Ligado for its L-band spectrum over North America. The news was confirmed late on June 13th. The payment will allow Ligado itself to pay the $535 million it owes to Viasat/Inmarsat. The Viasat payment will then see the end of its objections it has over Ligado’s Chapter […]
Viasat and the European Space Agency (ESA) have signed a contract to “take European space to the next level”. The contract is with the Agency’s Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES 4.0) programme. The agreement could lead to a jointly-led low Earth orbiting satellite constellation. Josef Aschbacjker, ESA’s director general, said: “By developing Direct-to-Device technologies, […]
Viasat has announced a restructuring of its senior executive team to “better position the company for long-term growth”. Effective immediately, Craig Miller, currently President of Global Space Networks, will become SVP/Strategic Initiatives. In his new role, Miller will work closely with Mark Dankberg, Viasat’s Chairman of the Board and CEO, regarding strategic growth initiatives. Girish […]
It is becoming ever-clearer that geostationary satellite operators can no longer serve new clients without access to lower orbiting satellites. SES has its mPOWER O3b fleet. Eutelsat has its OneWeb lower orbiting assets. Now California-based Viasat, which also owns London-based Inmarsat, says it wants a closer relationship with Canada’s Telesat and its upcoming Lightspeed low […]
The Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) has announced a transformative collaboration with the GSMA, the global organisation representing mobile operators and the broader mobile ecosystem. This alliance aims to push the boundaries of mobile technology, redefine the future of mobile satellite communications, and drive advancements in connectivity for consumers and enterprises worldwide. Together, MSSA and […]
In–Flight Communications (IFC) is an increasingly important part of satellite operator’s revenue stream. The likes of Intelsat, SES, Eutelsat and Viasat are all competing to supply broadband communications to every passenger seat. Panasonic Aviation and Thales InFlyt are also directly suppling airlines with entertainment even extending to 4K channels and movies. But connectivity over India […]
Viasat’s shares tumbled 11 per cent following its Q4 and end-of-year financial results in after-hours trading on May 21st. Viasat, which now owns London-based Inmarsat, said that its net loss has grown to $90 million (€82.9m) – up from $62 million in the same period last year. But there was one major shining light in […]
Ottawa-based geostationary satellite operator Telesat reported an underwhelming set of Q1 numbers. Every key metric showed a decline in revenues. Overall revenue was down a worrying 17 per cent year-on-year to C$152 million (€103.1m) for the three months to March 31st. “The decrease was primarily due to a reduction of services and lower rate on […]
California-based satellite operator Viasat reported its Q3 numbers after the market closed on February 6th. Chairman and CEO Mark Dankberg said revenues grew 8 per cent to $1.1 billion (€1.02bn) which was up an impressive 73 per cent y-o-y improvement of 2023’s $651 million. However, the company’s net loss rose to $124 million (a loss […]