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Satnews Daily
October 23rd, 2008

More Than 100K Flight Hours For ViaSat's ArcLight


ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT) recently passed 100,000 flight hours for its ArcLight® airborne broadband system. The system delivers cable-like broadband service to business aircraft. The Ku-band satellite service, the only one licensed by the FCC, offers faster speeds at a lower cost than either cellular or other satellite mobile broadband alternatives, as well as better service in congested airspace.

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ViaSat airborne broadband diagram

Aircraft are free to roam the entire coverage area, which today includes North America, the North Atlantic, and Europe. ViaSat and communications service provider ARINC initiated broadband in-flight service in early 2005. Since then, the mobile network has grown to serve maritime vessels and ground vehicles as well as aircraft. Most of the 100,000 hours have been logged by larger business jets using ARINC SKYLink service, such as the Gulfstream G550. The mobile broadband network uses patented ViaSat ArcLight technology, which enables use of very small (12-inch), light-weight antennas. The service offers data download speeds of up to 10 Mbps to the aircraft and up to 512 kbps uploads. Customers can send and receive broadband data, connect to a virtual private network, and access video programming using portable devices on the ground, during taxi, and in-flight. Recently ViaSat announced plans to expand its ArcLight network to provide worldwide coverage by the end of 2009, working with maritime service provider KVH Industries. Mobile broadband coverage of the North Pacific is planned for the end of the year with coverage of Japan and Southeast Asia to follow soon. 

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ARINC homepage