O3b Signs Agreement with ViaSat

ST. JOHN, Jersey, Channel Islands, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- O3b Networks Limited, the developer of a new global, high-speed, low latency, fiber-like satellite-based Internet service for telecommunications operators and ISPs in emerging markets, has signed a contract with ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT) for the production and installation of Ka-band infrastructure. The value of the contract is approximately $47 million.

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091216/VIASATLOGO)

ViaSat will supply gateway teleports and high speed IP trunking terminals to O3b Networks, including full-motion tracking antenna systems for the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, high-speed modems, monitor and control equipment, system development, and installation. Teleport installation is scheduled to be complete ahead of the planned launch of the O3b service in early 2012.

Each teleport will include three ViaSat 7.3-meter antennas and each IP trunking terminal will include two 4.5-meter tracking antennas together with high-speed modems and other baseband equipment. The O3b IP trunking terminal is designed for Internet backhaul by telecom carriers, operating at rates from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps. ViaSat will develop a new 4.5-meter MEO antenna and a very high-speed DVB-S2 modem.

Mark Rigolle, O3b Chief Executive Officer, said:

"ViaSat's leadership in Ka-band satellite technology and antenna tracking provides additional confidence that we can meet our plans to commence service in early 2012. This infrastructure equipment is a critical piece of our advanced satellite network, which will bring high-speed access to those who have so far been poorly served, or completely cut off, from the Internet."

John Zlogar, VP and general manager of Antenna Systems at ViaSat said:

"The growing demand for more and more bandwidth is a worldwide phenomenon, and we're firm believers that Ka-band satellite is the technology that can deliver the high-capacity, low-cost broadband that people need. We are excited to be working with O3b Networks who share that same belief."

O3b stands for the "Other 3 billion", a reference to nearly half of the world's population that is not adequately served with broadband Internet access. Through partnerships with telecommunications providers and internet service providers (ISPs), O3b will be able to combine the speed of a fiber optic network with the global reach of a satellite system to serve billions.

Based on O3b's current spectrum allocation, the company has initial plans to launch 20 satellites by 2015 with long range capacity of over 90 satellites. The life span of each satellite is expected to be in excess of 10 years. O3b satellites will be placed in orbit 8,000 kilometers from the earth, four times closer to the planet than regular geostationary satellites, giving customers extremely low latency and providing access to approximately 70 per cent of the world's population with fiber quality internet connectivity.

Notes to editors:

1. O3b is building a new fiber-quality, satellite-based, global Internet backbone for telecommunications operators (telcos) and Internet service providers (ISP's) in emerging markets. The O3b Networks system will combine global reach and the speed of a fiber-optic network. With investments and operational support from SES, Google Inc., Liberty Global, Inc., HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, and Allen & Company, the O3b system will provide telcos and ISP's with a low-cost, high-speed alternative to connect their 3G, WiMAX and fixed-line networks to the rest of the world.  This will allow billions of consumers and businesses in more than 150 countries to benefit from high-speed Internet connectivity for educational, medical and commercial applications. O3b Networks' headquarters is in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands. Ground systems and technical development are managed through its wholly owned subsidiary in Englewood, Colorado. For more information, please visit www.o3bnetworks.com.

2. ViaSat (www.viasat.com) produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to virtually any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP applications; is a key supplier of network-centric military communications and encryption technologies and products to the U.S. government; is the primary technology partner for gateway and customer-premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite broadband services; and owns WildBlue, the premier Ka-band satellite broadband service provider. ViaSat also offers design capabilities and a number of complementary products including monolithic microwave integrated circuits and modules, DVB-S2 satellite communication components, video data link systems, data acceleration and compression, and mobile satellite antenna systems. ViaSat is based in Carlsbad, CA, has major locations in Duluth, GA, Germantown, MD (Comsat Laboratories), and Greenwood Village, CO (WildBlue), along with additional field offices and service centers worldwide.

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, including statements that refer to the supply and installation of teleports and IP trunking terminals, the performance of such equipment, and the plans, strategies, and objectives of O3b. 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: the ability to successfully develop, introduce, and sell new products and enhancements; and other factors affecting the communications industry generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including ViaSat's 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. The companies undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Comsat Labs and Comsat Laboratories are tradenames of ViaSat, Inc. Neither Comsat Labs nor Comsat Laboratories is affiliated with COMSAT Corporation. "Comsat" is a registered trademark of COMSAT Corporation. All additional products are trademarks of their respective owners.

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SOURCE O3b Networks Limited