ViaSat Unveils Second Generation Mobility Equipment to Deliver Fastest Speeds from a Satellite to an Aircraft

New Equipment Capable of Supporting Throughput Levels of Up to 1 Gigabit per Second

Forward and Backward Compatibility of Hardware Gives Airlines a Future-Proofed Method to Take Advantage of ViaSat's More than 3.5 Terabits per Second of Expected Future Capacity

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ViaSat, Inc.

Apr 04, 2017, 04:00 ET

HAMBURG, Germany, April 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (Aircraft Interiors Expo, ViaSat Stand #2B30) -- ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, today unveiled its latest generation (Gen-2) in-flight internet equipment for its advanced satellite platforms: ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3 class satellites. The Gen-2 equipment is optimized to take full advantage of the highly-anticipated massive capacity increases from the ViaSat satellites, offering airlines even faster and higher-quality in-flight internet performance.

"What we're bringing to the in-flight internet market is so drastically different than anything else coming on the market. We're delivering a vertically-integrated system – from the satellite to the terminal and the access points on the aircraft – that is optimized to keep pace with the most powerful communications satellites in the world – ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3," said Don Buchman, vice president and general manager, Commercial Mobility at ViaSat. "As a result, our Gen-2 equipment extracts greater productivity, performance and higher throughput levels from the integrated system, and raises the standard for delivering best performing in-flight internet and streaming experiences at scale."

The Gen-2 equipment is designed to be forward and backward compatible across ViaSat's satellite platforms, allowing airlines to meet the growing broadband demands of the fully connected aircraft. Forward and backward compatibility ensures airlines can cost-effectively deploy the Gen-2 equipment today, and take advantage of the more than 3.5 terabits per second (Tbps) of total expected future global capacity ViaSat will be bringing to market. Gen-2 compatibility will exist across all of ViaSat's satellite platforms, which includes its first generation spacecraft (ViaSat-1, WildBlue-1, Anik F2), its second generation spacecraft (ViaSat-2) and its most advanced spacecraft (ViaSat-3). Additionally, the Gen-2 equipment is compatible with most other Ka-band satellites, giving airlines greater choice in satellite solution provider.

The Gen-2 equipment includes upgrades to the following:

Antenna: ViaSat's Gen-2 antenna supports the full Ka-band spectrum defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), doubling useable satellite capacity and enabling the full range of capabilities on ViaSat's satellites. An upgraded Gen-2 Antenna Power Supply is designed to make use of ARINC 791 provisions for simple installation.
Radome: ViaSat optimized its Gen-2 radome and ARINC 791-compatible mounting plate for reduced weight and minimal signal distortion, enabling full performance on ViaSat's satellites while reducing fuel consumption.
Modem: ViaSat's Gen-2 modem is capable of supporting throughput levels of up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps), allowing airlines to make the most of the advanced capabilities expected from ViaSat's current and next-generation satellite platforms.
Wireless Access Points (WAPs): ViaSat's 802.11ac Wave 2 WAPs deliver higher speeds from the modem to each connected device on the aircraft by removing potential bottlenecks caused by the cabin design.
On-Board Server: ViaSat is enabling airlines to host more in-flight crew, ground crew and passenger-focused applications with its open platform server. ViaSat's future focused platform is backed by a powerful quad-core Intel CPU and 30 terabytes (TB) of solid-state storage, far exceeding the capabilities of other in-flight servers deployed today.
Advanced Diagnostics: ViaSat's Gen-2 equipment offers enhanced tracking and diagnostic software to provide in-flight and operational ground crews with real-time health insight of the in-flight internet system.

Availability
The ViaSat Gen-2 equipment is available today for early access testing. It will be production-ready and available for installations starting in May 2017. ViaSat has a number of airline customers committed to the Gen-2 equipment, with those airlines having immediate access to the ViaSat-2 satellite platform.

About ViaSat
ViaSat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) keeps the world connected. As a global broadband services and technology company, ViaSat ensures consumers, businesses, governments and military personnel have communications access – anywhere – whether on the ground or in-flight. The Company's innovations in designing highest-capacity satellites and secure ground infrastructure and terminal technologies, coupled with its international network of managed Wi-Fi hotspots, enable ViaSat to deliver a best available network that extends the reach and accessibility of broadband internet service, globally. For more information, visit: www.viasat.com, or follow ViaSat on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or YouTube.

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, among others, include statements that refer to the speed, performance and quality of the ViaSat Gen-2 in-flight internet equipment or resulting service; forward and backward compatibility; the roll-out of products and services by ViaSat and uptake by customers; and the expected capacity, service, coverage, service speeds, availability and other features of the satellites, and the timing, cost, economics and other benefits associated therewith. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the ability to successfully implement ViaSat's business plan for broadband services on the anticipated timeline or at all; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; government audits; changes in the global business environment and economic conditions; reduced demand for products and services as a result of continued constraints on capital spending by customers; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers; reliance on a limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply products; increased competition; introduction of new technologies and other factors affecting the communications and defense industries generally; the effect of adverse regulatory changes on ViaSat's ability to sell products and services; ViaSat's level of indebtedness and ability to comply with applicable debt covenants; ViaSat's involvement in litigation, including intellectual property claims and litigation to protect proprietary technology; and ViaSat's dependence on a limited number of key employees. 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. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE ViaSat, Inc.