talk Satellite

Xplornet Communications Inc. has contracted with ViaSat Inc. for all of the residential capacity covering Canada on the ViaSat-2 satellite. Already offering high-speed satellite Internet on ViaSat-1, Xplornet will be able to offer faster speeds and more data throughput for its customers with the doubling of bandwidth efficiency expected from ViaSat-2, which is scheduled for a mid-2016 launch. The commitment is for the life of the satellite and the value is up to $275 million depending on options.

In addition to bandwidth capacity for ViaSat-2, Xplornet is purchasing network operations, annual network maintenance, gateways, and ground equipment. The contract also allows Xplornet to order ViaSat Broadband System subscriber terminals.

"We are delighted to expand our relationship with ViaSat," said Allison Lenehan, president of Xplornet Communications Inc. "Our investment in the ViaSat-2 satellite will allow Xplornet to meet the future Internet needs of our rural customers throughout the country."

"The Xplornet team has performed exceptionally in Canada and we are very happy to extend our relationship with them on ViaSat-2," said Rick Baldridge, president and COO of ViaSat. "Our new satellite is expected to approximately double the bandwidth economics of ViaSat-1 while simultaneously providing a coverage footprint that is seven times larger."