ViaSat-3 F1 Satellite Enters Commercial Service

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has announced that its ViaSat-3 F1 satellite has entered commercial service, enhancing passenger Wi-Fi services for airlines operating over North America, including routes to Hawaii. This follows successful testing and live trials in the first half of 2024. Despite an antenna deployment anomaly that reduced overall capacity, the satellite can still support high-speed broadband services for aviation customers.

Jimmy Dodd, President of Viasat's Aviation segment, emphasized the significant improvement in passenger experience, including streaming content and connectivity. Craig Miller, President of Global Space Networks, noted that this marks the start of revenue-generating services from the first of three ViaSat-3 satellites. Two additional ViaSat-3 satellites are in late stages of production and testing.

Positive

• ViaSat-3 F1 satellite entered commercial service, enhancing Wi-Fi services for North American aviation
• Satellite can support high-speed broadband services despite antenna deployment anomaly
• Two additional ViaSat-3 satellites in late stages of production and testing

Negative

• Antenna deployment anomaly resulted in significant reduction in overall satellite capacity

News Market Reaction

-7.08%

1 alert

-7.08% News Effect

On the day this news was published, VSAT declined 7.08%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

New Viasat Capacity to Enhance Passenger Wi-Fi Services for Airlines Operating Over North America, Including Routes to Hawaii

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced that ViaSat-3 F1 (VS3 F1) has entered commercial service and is now available for aviation customers operating over North America, including routes servicing Hawaii. This follows a period of testing and live trials, which took place during the first half of the calendar year (2024).

"This is exciting news for our aviation customers and the millions of passengers who use inflight Wi-Fi services powered by the Viasat network," said Jimmy Dodd, President, Aviation segment at Viasat, Inc. "Bringing ViaSat-3 F1 into commercial service for aviation customers will significantly enhance the passenger experience available over North America, including streaming content and staying in touch with the world when flying."

"Today's announcement is also a significant technical achievement for Viasat and signals the start of revenue generating services from the first of our three ground-breaking ViaSat-3 satellites," added Craig Miller, President, Global Space Networks, Viasat, Inc. "A further two ViaSat-3 satellites are currently in the late stages of production and testing, including the successful completion of thermal vacuum testing on ViaSat-3 F3 recently and the successful completion of mechanical environmental testing on ViaSat-3 F2."

ViaSat-3 F1 experienced an antenna deployment anomaly following its launch in April 2023. However, extensive in-orbit testing demonstrated that all other systems on the satellite were operating at or beyond expectations. And while the antenna deployment anomaly resulted in a significant reduction in overall capacity, the resiliency and high-performance specifications of the ViaSat-3 satellite system still allows the satellite to support high-speed broadband services for aviation customers over North America, where the satellite is deployed.

Further information on ViaSat-3 F1 will be provided at our next financial results call on August 7, 2024.

About Viasat
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 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.

Copyright © 2024 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered in the U.S and in other countries to Viasat, Inc. 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 the expected performance, capabilities and anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 F-1 satellite, including projected bandwidth coverage over North America and revenue generation; the production and testing of the two additional ViaSat-3 class satellites; and Viasat's ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the remaining ViaSat-3 class satellites.  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: risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of the ViaSat-3 class satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 class satellites; unexpected expenses or delays related to the ViaSat-3 class satellites; the ability to successfully implement Viasat's business plan for broadband services on Viasat's anticipated timeline or at all, including with respect to the ViaSat-3 class satellites; 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 connectivity sector, generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including our 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.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viasat-3-f1-satellite-enters-commercial-service-302214079.html

SOURCE Viasat, Inc.

FAQ

When did ViaSat-3 F1 satellite enter commercial service for Viasat (VSAT)?

ViaSat-3 F1 satellite entered commercial service on August 5, 2024, as announced by Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT).

What areas will the ViaSat-3 F1 satellite cover for Viasat (VSAT)?

The ViaSat-3 F1 satellite will cover North America, including routes servicing Hawaii, for aviation customers of Viasat (VSAT).

What issue did the ViaSat-3 F1 satellite experience after its launch in April 2023?

The ViaSat-3 F1 satellite experienced an antenna deployment anomaly following its launch in April 2023, resulting in a significant reduction in overall capacity.

How many ViaSat-3 satellites are planned by Viasat (VSAT)?

Viasat (VSAT) has planned three ViaSat-3 satellites in total, with two additional satellites currently in the late stages of production and testing.