Advanced Television

Viasat

Viasat reexamined after potential lost satellite

ViaSat-3 Americas is a potential lost satellite having suffered a malfunction on its giant antenna following its launch. A report from analysts at Quilty Space says: “[The problem with the satellite], after a heartbreaking seven years in the making saw shares of VSAT plummeted 30 per cent in the immediate aftermath despite management’s assurances of […]

July 31, 2023

Viasat changing Inmarsat’s plan for LEOs?

Inmarsat, prior to its take-over by US-based Viasat, had planned to launch a fleet of low Earth orbiting satellites (Orchestra). It now seems that Viasat is re-thinking the scheme which would save millions in terms of investment. Viasat has written to the FCC withdrawing its applications for V-band satellite spectrum. The letter from Viasat to […]

July 26, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat shares crash

Viasat, which only a few weeks ago was celebrating the acquisition of London-based Inmarsat, is suffering a massive crisis of shareholder confidence following news of its problems with its new ViaSat-3 Americas (VS-3A) satellite. Its shares opened on July 13th at $42.98 and closed on the day at $30.74, a net fall of 28.48 per […]

July 14, 2023

ViaSat-3 suffers major problem

Viasat’s brand new – but long delayed – satellite, ViaSat-3, only launched on May 1st, has suffered problems with its antenna. A statement from Viasat issued after the market closed on July 12th said that an unexpected event occurred during reflector deployment that may materially impact the performance of the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite. “Viasat and […]

July 13, 2023By Chris Forrester

Survey: IFC a key passenger expectation

A survey conducted on behalf of satellite operator Inmarsat (now part of Viasat) has revealed that the vast majority of respondents (82 per cent) agreed that In Flight Communication (IFC) is now a key passenger expectation – whatever the size of the jet. Inmarsat and Corporate Jet Investor (CJI) partnered again to conduct their annual […]

July 6, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat CEO: “Inmarsat acquisition a big step”

Viasat’s CEO Mark Dankberg, in a letter to shareholders following the acquisition of Inmarsat, has said that the purchase represented a “big step” for the business and that the next move was to thoughtfully integrate two companies into a single cohesive team with common purpose, shared insights, targeted innovation, and trusted service delivery. “We have […]

June 20, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat, Inmarsat wrap merger

After a long-drawn out series of competition investigations over the past 18 months, Viasat has finally wrapped its planned merger with Inmarsat. The deal represents the biggest satellite industry consolidation since SES acquired GE Americom back in November 2001 (which cost SES $5 billion at the time). This Viasat deal is more complex given that […]

June 1, 2023By Chris Forrester

Viasat/Inmarsat merger approved

Viasat of California and London-based Inmarsat can now wrap up their much-awaited merger plan. The final regulatory approval, from the European Commission, was granted on May 25th. The two companies expect their merger to conclude “in days” and by the end of May. The European Commission (EC) was concerned that the merger scheme would limit […]

May 26, 2023By Chris Forrester

Inmarsat chiefs standing down post-merger

Inmarsat has announced that Rajeev Suri will stand down as chief executive on completion of the company’s sale to Viasat. Suri has been nominated by the shareholder consortium that acquired Inmarsat in 2019 to serve as a Board Director of Viasat upon completion of the sale. He will also be involved with ensuring a smooth […]

May 26, 2023By Colin Mann

Viasat, Inmarsat targeting growth in IFC, D2C cellular

Mark Dankberg, chairman of Viasat, said that his company’s airline clients were buying into the concept of geostationary satellites and that the recently launched ViaSat-3 satellite would make a major difference to its airline broadband services. Viasat serves 15 airlines including Delta Air Lines which represents major – and growing – demand on Viasat’s satellite […]

May 22, 2023