Delta Air Lines adds Viasat in-flight connectivity service

Delta Air Lines announced plans Jan. 5 to rely on Viasat to provide in-flight Ka-band connectivity for passengers flying in more than 300 of the carrier’s mainline narrow-body aircraft.

Viasat asks FCC to perform environmental review of Starlink

Viasat has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to perform an environmental review of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband constellation, arguing that the satellite system poses environmental hazards in space and on Earth.

Viasat announces agreement to acquire RigNet

Viasat Inc. announced an agreement Dec. 21 to acquire Houston-based communications firm RigNet Inc. in an all-stock transaction with a value of approximately $222 million based on Viasat’s current share price and RigNet's debt.

Survey: Despite interest in commercial satcom, U.S. military favors legacy systems

A survey of military organizations funded by ViaSat reveals that many don’t have access to modern communications technology despite growing availability of commercial satellite services. 

Viasat claims KA-SAT as Eutelsat joint venture winds down

SAN FRANCISCO — Viasat announced plans Nov. 19 to purchase the remaining assets of the European joint venture it established with Eutelsat Communications for 140 million euros ($166 million), including the KA-SAT broadband satellite.

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Satellite operators boast of resilient businesses during pandemic

Commercial communications satellite operators say their businesses have been doing well this year despite, or even because of, the pandemic, but those companies may face longer-term threats that could lead to consolidation.

Baldridge replaces Dankberg as Viasat CEO

Mark Dankberg, Viasat founder, chairman and CEO moved into the newly created role of executive chairman Nov. 3 as Rick Baldridge, Viasat’s former chief operating officer, became Viasat’s new CEO while retaining his role as president.

SpaceX, Hughes and Viasat qualify to bid for $20.4 billion in FCC rural broadband subsidies

SpaceX, Hughes Network Systems and Viasat are eligible to compete for a share of the $20.4 billion in broadband subsidies the FCC plans to dole out under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund starting later this month. 

OneWeb Satellites seeks simpler import regulations • Viasat cubesat launching in 2021

Satellite operators believe direct-to-home television broadcasting will continue to be a strong business globally despite weakness in the United States and, to a lesser extent, Europe.

Hughes views OneWeb stake as key to FCC broadband subsidies

Hughes Network Systems believes it has a chance at winning some of the $20.4 billion in rural broadband subsidies the U.S. Federal Communications Commission is preparing to spend, thanks to the company’s recent investment in megaconstellation startup OneWeb. 

Coronavirus adds to ViaSat-3 launch delay

The coronavirus pandemic has slowed some work on the first ViaSat-3 broadband satellite, making a launch in mid-2021 unlikely, Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said Aug. 7. 

Astranis prototype completes testing  • Viasat kicks off debt raise • Spaceflight signs SpaceX multi-launch agreement

Astranis, a startup specializing in small geostationary satellites, has completed thermal vacuum testing for a practice satellite.

LEO constellations still held to high bar in FCC rural broadband subsidy program

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission remains unconvinced that low Earth orbit satellite internet constellations are worth subsidizing through its $16 billion rural broadband program despite tweaking the rules for that program to give LEO constellations a better chance to qualify for funding. 

Viasat, lured by broadband subsidy opportunity, eyes 300-satellite LEO constellation

Viasat says it is open to building a constellation of nearly 300 satellites in low Earth orbit if it can qualify for some of the $20.4 billion in broadband subsidies the U.S. Federal Communications Commission intends to dole out under the Rural Digital Opportunities Fund. 

Viasat laid off 300 amid steep drop in air travel 

Baldridge said that in addition to the 300 layoffs, Viasat furloughed some employees, froze salaries for a large number of workers, and brought hiring to a virtual standstill in an effort to curb costs.