FCC Grants Viasat Licence for Ka-band In-flight Internet Service

30 July 2013

The FCC has granted a Blanket License Radio Station Authorization for Ka-band aeronautical earth stations to ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT), providing regulatory approval for airborne Ka-band services over all 50 U.S. states. The 15-year, renewable license permits operation of the ViaSat Mantarray, low-profile airborne antenna on the ViaSat Ka-band satellite fleet of ViaSat-1, WildBlue-1, and Anik-F2.

ViaSat Exede^® In The Air is designed to improve in-flight broadband service by providing enough bandwidth for every passenger on the plane to enjoy high-speed Internet. The FCC approval is another step toward the launch of that service, expected this fall, on the U.S. fleets of JetBlue Airways and one other major airline. Approximately 400 aircraft are already under contract to receive the service.

“This is the first license of its kind in the world,” said Mark Dankberg, ViaSat chairman and CEO. “We’re gratified to see the FCC recognizing that the advanced technical design of this equipment is compatible with the operating environment in which our other Exede services successfully operate. Now airlines, and their passengers, will have access to an unprecedented amount of bandwidth. We want to let everyone on board be connected at high speed.”