ViaSat Inc. [NASDAQ:VSAT] received Inmarsat Case Approval for the ViaSat VRT-100 Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) terminal, which can be invaluable to first responders of civil emergencies such as fire, police homeland security, relief agencies, and news media personnel. The ViaSat VRT-100 enables one to quickly set up reliable communications even in the midst of extreme weather conditions. With Case Approval, the VRT-100 can be used throughout the Inmarsat BGAN network. The VRT-100 complements the recently-approved ViaSat AN/PSC-14 that integrates BGAN with HAIPE® IS Type 1 IP network security.

The VRT-100 part of the family of Inmarsat terminals is a ruggedized BGAN terminal for operation, deployment, and transport in extreme conditions. In addition to first responders, the terminal is also ideal for commercial business activities in rugged, remote locations, such as remote construction or exploration for new sources of oil, gas, and other natural resources.

  “The terminal provides voice and high-bandwidth IP connections beyond line-of-sight in harsh weather conditions to increase effectiveness at the far edges of an operation,” said Doug Poorman, ViaSat BGAN terminal program manager. “The VRT-100 can give you 12-hours of transmit time and 24-hours on standby using rugged batteries designed for military radios. It can also be powered by AC/DC supplies or a 12-volt vehicle battery interface.”

The BGAN service delivers simultaneous voice and broadband IP data to a portable device across most of the world's landmass. BGAN terminals support standard IP speeds of up to half-a-megabit per second and streaming IP data rates of up to 256 kbps.