Inmarsat Maritime unveils next phase of NexusWave evolution with ViaSat-3 network
Rhea-AI Summary
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) and Inmarsat Maritime unveiled the next phase of NexusWave as ViaSat-3 Flight 2 has launched and Flight 3 is expected, with both satellites scheduled to enter service in 2026. NexusWave will combine GEO Ka-band, LEO, LTE and L-band capacity with a new VS60 maritime terminal to deliver higher, more consistent bandwidth for fleets.
The VS60 recorded download speeds >250 Mbps in sea trials; ViaSat-3 offers >1,000 steerable spot beams and regional capacity (Flight 2: Americas; Flight 3: Asia-Pacific).
Positive
- ViaSat-3 service planned for 2026 increasing global capacity
- VS60 terminal achieved >250 Mbps download in sea trials
- More than 1,000 steerable spot beams for dynamic bandwidth
- Regional capacity: VS3 Flight 2 for Americas and Flight 3 for Asia-Pacific
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, VSAT declined 4.89%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
VSAT gained 3.24% while peers were mixed: BDC +0.67%, COMM +0.59%, VIAV +2.05%, ONDS +6.24%, EXTR -4.47%. Moves do not point to a unified sector trend.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 03 | Market research report | Positive | +2.1% | GSMA Intelligence report showed strong consumer demand for D2D satellite services. |
| Dec 01 | Product network update | Positive | -4.9% | NexusWave evolution with ViaSat-3 and new VS60 terminal for higher maritime bandwidth. |
| Nov 19 | Board appointment | Positive | -1.0% | Appointment of Barbara Frenkel to board, expanding directors and independence mix. |
| Nov 19 | Airline Wi-Fi deal | Positive | -1.0% | Azerbaijan Airlines selected Viasat Amara for high-speed in‑flight connectivity on new fleet. |
| Nov 18 | Airline partnership | Positive | +5.7% | Expanded Etihad partnership to deploy Viasat Amara across majority of its fleet. |
Recent positive news has often seen mixed or negative next-day reactions, with 3 divergences versus 2 aligned moves.
Over the past few weeks, Viasat reported multiple connectivity wins and strategic developments. An expanded Etihad partnership on Nov 18 and an Azerbaijan Airlines deal on Nov 19 highlighted growth for its in‑flight services. A new board appointment on Nov 19 and a GSMA-backed D2D demand study on Dec 3 underscored strategic positioning. The current NexusWave/ViaSat‑3 maritime upgrade news on Dec 1 fits this theme of enhancing high‑capacity connectivity offerings.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement details a significant step in Viasat’s maritime strategy, with NexusWave integrating GEO Ka-band, LEO, LTE, and L-band and a new VS60 terminal tested above 250 Mbps. Together with ViaSat‑3’s more than 1,000 steerable spot beams and planned 2026 service entry, it emphasizes higher capacity and flexibility for fleets. Investors may watch future adoption metrics and follow-on contracts to gauge commercial impact.
Key Terms
geo ka-band technical
l-band technical
software defined radio technical
spot beams technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
The upcoming entry into service of ViaSat-3 satellites together with new purpose-built VS60 maritime terminal are expected to deliver a significant capacity increase to NexusWave customers.
LONDON, Dec. 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Inmarsat Maritime, a Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) company, has unveiled the next phase in the evolution of its NexusWave bonded connectivity service, following the successful launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite and in anticipation of the launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 3 satellite.
As the two ViaSat-3 satellites are scheduled to enter service in 2026, NexusWave customers will benefit from a dramatic increase in available bandwidth via a new generation of maritime terminal, with additional capacity expected from VS3 Flight 2 over the Americas and VS3 Flight 3 over Asia-Pacific. This means that by investing in NexusWave today, maritime customers can expect a major step forward in performance, more consistent speeds, and even better flexibility to meet their evolving needs.
NexusWave is Inmarsat’s fully managed, bonded multi-network service combining capacity from GEO Ka-band, LEO, LTE, and L-band networks in a single intelligent connectivity solution. With the introduction of the ultra-high-capacity, high-speed ViaSat-3 satellites, customers will enjoy faster data transfers and improved network efficiency to support digitalisation and crew welfare at scale for a truly ‘office-like’ and ‘home-like’ onboard internet experience.
The new VS60 maritime terminal, engineered by Intellian and powered by Viasat software defined radio technology, will further strengthen NexusWave architecture and support bandwidth-intensive applications, such as enterprise networking, video streaming, crew welfare, and mission-critical operations. During recent sea trials, the VS60 terminal, purpose built for the ViaSat-3 era, achieved download speeds exceeding 250 megabits per second. The VS60 terminal also incorporates multiple layers of protection to safeguard sensitive data and ensure operational integrity.
In addition, ViaSat-3 satellites feature more than 1,000 steerable spot beams, which are designed to allow bandwidth to be moved dynamically to match demand across global shipping lanes, ports, and offshore locations.
Gert-Jan Panken, Vice President, Inmarsat Maritime, said: “The combination of NexusWave’s bonded, multi-orbit architecture, and the new ViaSat-3-ready terminal developed with Intellian puts us in a strong position to support the operational priorities of global fleets. It reinforces our long-term commitment to reliability, security, and customer experience at sea, and enables fleets to scale seamlessly with future capacity as the network expands.”
Ben Palmer OBE, President, Viasat Commercial, added: “NexusWave was built to deliver consistent performance in an increasingly complex connectivity landscape. As ViaSat-3 capacity becomes available, we’re taking another big step forward for our customers and partners by bringing more bandwidth, better flexibility, and a forward-thinking upgrade path to ensure connected confidence for the future.”
Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Richard Jones, Public Relations, Viasat, +44 7843 819 611, richard.jones@viasat.com
Lisa Curran/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com
About Inmarsat Maritime
Inmarsat is a Viasat company and continues to power the digitalisation of the maritime industry. With over 40 years of experience, Inmarsat Maritime offers reliable and innovative solutions that enable ship owners and operators to stay connected, navigate safely, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure crew welfare.
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are - on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads and YouTube.
Inmarsat Maritime is based in Viasat’s global international business headquarters in London, United Kingdom. For further information about Inmarsat Maritime, visit Inmarsat.com/maritime and follow us on LinkedIn.
Copyright © 2025 Inmarsat Global Limited. All rights reserved. The INMARSAT trademark is owned by the International Mobile Satellite Organisation licensed to Inmarsat Global Limited. The Inmarsat LOGO is owned by Inmarsat Global Limited. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to plans to incorporate the ViaSat-3 Ka-band network and VS60 maritime terminal into the NexusWave solution, and the resulting improvements to performance, speeds, flexibility, network efficiency and data security. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to access third-party capacity and services; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 class satellites and any future satellite we may construct or acquire; our ability to successfully implement our business plan for our broadband services on our anticipated timeline or at all; capacity constraints in our business in the lead-up to the launch of services on our satellites; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers; our reliance on a limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply our products and services; our ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; and other factors affecting the maritime sector. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and 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. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.
FAQ
When will ViaSat-3 capacity for NexusWave (VSAT) enter service?
What download speeds did the VS60 maritime terminal achieve in trials for VSAT customers?
How will ViaSat-3 Flight 2 and Flight 3 affect NexusWave regional coverage for VSAT?
What technologies does NexusWave (VSAT) combine to deliver maritime connectivity?
What is the role of the VS60 terminal in NexusWave's ViaSat-3 era for VSAT investors?
