Astrolink Selects ViaSat to Supply Broadband Ka-band Terminals
Global Next Generation Satellite Broadband Network Set For Service Launch In 2003
BETHESDA, Md. and CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Astrolink International LLC and ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT - news) have entered into a contract under which ViaSat will develop and manufacture next generation, broadband, two-way Ka-band satellite terminals for use with the Astrolink system. The initial contract commitment includes the development, integration and testing of pre-production terminals and the delivery of production terminals to support Astrolink's service beginning in 2003.
The terminals will provide IP connectivity for enterprise users around the world, supporting uplink transmission speeds up to 20 Mbps and downlink reception speeds up to 100 Mbps. After acceptance of the initial production terminals, Astrolink and its service providers will be able to order additional terminals from ViaSat to fulfill their customer requirements as the system expands to full global coverage.
``We are already working on the Astrolink program through our acquisition earlier this year of Scientific-Atlanta's Satellite Networks business. The addition of the Astrolink Terminal development and production program is one of the most significant contracts ViaSat has received, and moves us forward as a supplier of commercial products to the broadband satellite telecommunications industry. Over time, assuming the successful launch and expected growth of the Astrolink service, we expect to sell over $100 million in terminals under this agreement,'' said Steve Cable, vice president, ViaSat Broadband Systems.
``We are very pleased to have ViaSat as a major system terminal developer and supplier,'' said Steve Soroka, Astrolink vice president System Operations. ``We have worked closely with them over the past several months and are convinced they have the technical and operational capabilities to deliver this critical system segment.''
Astrolink and ViaSat have also entered into a Memorandum of Agreement under which ViaSat will provision, market and supply Astrolink's broadband satellite services to customers. As a part of this agreement, ViaSat is committed to a multi-million dollar purchase of broadband satellite services from Astrolink over a multi-year period. The agreement, which is subject to the negotiation of definitive documentation and related agreements, is expected to enable ViaSat to offer value-added broadband service to its existing and planned VSAT customers and through expanded sales channels developed jointly with Astrolink.
ViaSat Inc. produces advanced digital satellite telecommunications and wireless signal processing equipment for commercial and government markets. Other products include information security devices, tactical communication radios, and communication simulators. ViaSat is located in Carlsbad, CA, and Norcross, GA, with additional field offices in Boston, MA, the United Kingdom, Australia, Chile, China, India and Russia.
Astrolink is a strategic venture of Liberty Media, Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications, Telespazio, and TRW. Based in Bethesda, Maryland. Astrolink is building a global telecommunications network based on next generation satellite technology. The system is designed to enable customers to connect through the network more flexibly, more cost effectively and at higher speeds than has been possible up to this point. Astrolink is targeting the high-growth corporate broadband data services market and plans to deliver both Internet access and corporate data network services. Its services are designed to be complementary and compatible with other terrestrial and fixed wireless broadband technologies.
Safe Harbor Statement
This release, particularly the statements about future orders of ViaSat terminals by Astrolink, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which reflect ViaSat's current views of future events and financial performance, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or facts to differ materially from these statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: the ability to successfully develop and deliver technology and products, the ability to successfully launch and grow the Astrolink system, ViaSat's ability to successfully perform under its contract with Astrolink, Astrolink's future orders of terminals from ViaSat, industry conditions, changes in product supply, pricing, and customer demand, competition, other vagaries in the communication markets, changes in relationships with key suppliers and the other risks described from time to time in reports that ViaSat Inc. files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the Annual Report on Form 10-K). Investors should take these risks into account when making investment decisions. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. ViaSat Inc. undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.
For additional information, please contact Chuck Liggett, Astrolink chief marketing officer at 301-581-4000, or Steve Cable, ViaSat VP, Broadband Systems at 760-476-2382.
SOURCE: Astrolink International LLC; ViaSat Inc. |
