Advanced Television

Viasat

Viasat record revenues

California-based Viasat reported its 2022 full year revenues rose 24 per cent to a record $2.8 billion (€2.6bn). Viasat told shareholders that while it achieved its Q4 FY2022 outlook and FY2022 goals, Q4 FY2022 had some challenges. The challenges included ViaSat-3’s ground network expansion and delays in both NSA certification of Information Security products and […]

May 27, 2022By Chris Forrester

EU, US, UK blame Russia for Viasat hack

The European Union, the UK and the US government have all formally blamed the Russian government for the February 24th hack and damage to Viasat satellite modems in Europe in the hours before the invasion of Ukraine. The Russian hack of Viasat’s modems resulted in an immediate and significant loss of communication in the earliest […]

May 12, 2022By Chris Forrester

Southwest chooses Viasat for IFE

California-based Viasat has won the contract to connect Southwest Airlines to its satellite broadband In-Flight Communications system. Factory installs of the Viasat equipment onto Southwest’s airlines will start this autumn. Southwest Airlines says it will provide customers enhanced internet capabilities while onboard, including the ability to stream content and entertainment, watch live television, and access […]

May 12, 2022By Chris Forrester

Viasat demands Starlink environmental review

Satellite operator Viasat, in a letter to the FCC, says there is growing evidence of the need to perform an environmental review before approving SpaceX’s Starlink application to launch another 30,000 low Earth orbiting satellites. Viasat’s Jarrett Taubman (VP/deputy chief of Government Affairs), in his letter, claims that SpaceX should not be allowed to expand […]

May 5, 2022By Chris Forrester

Inmarsat warns of satellite space debris risks

Inmarsat has warned that space is getting increasingly crowded with “dangerous levels of space debris from satellite constellations planned by Elon Musk’s Starlink, Amazon, Chinese operators and others”. Inmarsat CEO Rajeev Suri welcomed innovation in satellite constellations in low Earth orbit but added that there should be better industry and regulatory co-ordination as they are […]

April 28, 2022By Chris Forrester

Viasat notifies SEC of Inmarsat purchase EGM

California-based Viasat, in a formal proxy filing to Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), says it will soon be calling a special meeting of stockholders to approve its planned purchase of London-based Inmarsat for $3.95 billion (€3.75bn) comprising $850 million in cash, plus 46.36 million shares of Viasat common stock. Viasat started its acquisition process on […]

April 28, 2022By Chris Forrester

ITU warns Viasat that time is tight for EMEA launch

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which grants and regulates spectrum and frequency usage for satellite operators, has cautioned US-based Viasat that the clock is running on its plan to use Israeli frequencies for one of its planned satellites. The ITU had approved Viasat’s use of the 13.8 degrees East orbital slot, and its Ka-band frequencies, […]

April 25, 2022

Inmarsat wins NASA contract

NASA has selected London-based satellite operator Inmarsat as a delivery partner for its Communications Services Project (CSP). Under the Funded Space Act Agreement (FSAA), NASA will partner with Inmarsat to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of providing commercial satellite communications (satcom) capabilities as a service for future spacecraft users in near-Earth orbit. Inmarsat’s government division […]

April 22, 2022By Chris Forrester

Shortage of Antonov aircraft will hurt satellite deliveries

The images of a destroyed Antonov aircraft (registered number An-225), and one of the planet’s very largest aircraft, went around the world showing it destroyed in a hanger at an airfield near Kyiv. Its loss will have an immediate impact on the delivery of some urgently needed satellites. AN-225, dubbed Mriya (Dream) was blown to […]

April 11, 2022By Chris Forrester

ViaSat aims for 5TB of throughput

ViaSat is currently testing its next satellite – its first ViaSat-3 craft, and part of a three-satellite geostationary broadband constellation. It is due to launch later this summer and should supply 1TB/second of throughput. It will launch on a SpaceX rocket. ViaSat is also in the process of acquiring Inmarsat and ViaSat’s executive chairman, Mark […]

April 8, 2022By Chris Forrester