ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, today announced it will deliver higher speed internet services to authorized Navy Exchange (NEX) customers at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) in Cuba, as part of its contract with the Navy Exchange Service Command’s (NEXCOM) Telecommunications Program Office. The new service from ViaSat will utilize a managed Wi-Fi network, and expects to offer service plans that will be significantly faster than current speeds available at NSGB.
As part of the NEXCOM contract, ViaSat will upgrade local communications infrastructure to support high-speed broadband internet as well as offer television and Wi-Fi services across all Navy Unaccompanied Housing, Family Housing, Navy Gateway Inns and Suites (NGIS), Navy Lodges and other locations. The ViaSat communications system will support a broad range of voice and data applications, delivering superior broadband services; improved performance; and increased reliability.
“This contract will support our mission to enhance the quality of life for our military members and their families at NSGB,” said Mary Morse, vice president, Telecommunications Program Office, NEXCOM.
ViaSat is currently performing an upgrade of local telecom infrastructure and equipment to improve internet reliability and stability. Once these upgrades are complete, ViaSat will use its cloud-based managed Wi-Fi services platform to provide support for an increased number of wireless devices per access point – mitigating interference, improving range, performance and ability for end-users to connect to the network.
Cody Catalena, vice president and general manager, Wireless Services at ViaSat commented, “We are proud to serve our military community by delivering internet connectivity, which was previously not available to our troops stationed at Guantanamo Bay. By providing a turn-key communications system, we are enabling NSGB residents and guests to do more online – whether completing online college courses, educational training sessions or conducting other transactions to streaming media, browsing the web or connecting with friends and family globally.”
Availability
ViaSat began service rollout in late August and will continue throughout September. Housing residents will be able to subscribe to services from any wireless device through the ViaSat web portal, and services will be available free to the guests at NGIS and Navy Lodge locations.
For more information about Navy Exchange Service Command, visit https://www.mynavyexchange.com.
For more information on ViaSat’s Managed Wi-Fi Services, visit: http://www.viasat.com/services/managed-wi-fi.
About NEXCOM
The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) oversees 100 Navy Exchange (NEX) facilities and nearly 300 stores worldwide, 39 Navy Lodges, the Ships Store Program, the Uniform Program Management Office, the Navy Clothing and Textile Research Facility and the Telecommunications Program Office. NEXCOM’s parent command is the Naval Supply Systems Command. NEXCOM’s mission is to provide authorized customers quality goods and services at a savings and to support Navy quality of life programs for active duty military, retirees, reservists and their families. NEXs and Navy Lodges operate primarily as a non-appropriated fund (NAF) business instrumentality. NEX revenues generated are used to support Navy Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs. In FY15, $2.5 billion in sales were generated with $22.3 million in dividends provided to Navy MWR programs.
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 ViaSat at: www.viasat.com, or follow the Company on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
