Web Page sponsor Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
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02 Dec 17. We are delighted to add ViaSat as a sponsor of our new ‘Satellite Systems, Satcom and Space Systems Update’ page. ViaSat’s growth story has been spectacular. Viasat was co-founded in May 1986 by Mark Dankberg, Mark Miller and Steve Hart. Mark Dankberg became chief executive officer and Mark Miller and Steve Hart became chief technical officers. Viasat received venture capital financing of $300,000 from Southern California Ventures. In December 1996, Viasat had its initial public offering (IPO). The company offered $20m in stock to the public, leaving the founders with 28 percent of the company and venture capital backers with 20 percent.
The acquisition of the satellite networking business of Scientific-Atlanta for $75m in cash in 2000 helped Viasat to focus on providing technology for interactive services to businesses. Viasat launched a spin-off company, TrellisWare Technologies, Inc., in 2000. The self-funded company focuses on solutions for ground communications problems.
Viasat has experienced significant growth in the 21st century. In 2001, Viasat started working with Boeing on Connexion broadband for airliners. Soon after that the company acquired Lockheed Martin Global Telecommunications’ products unit, Comsat Laboratories, in 2001 for an undisclosed amount. The former Comsat Laboratories is now Viasat’s technology and product development group for communication systems; focusing on developing new technologies for extremely bandwidth efficient, high data rate satellite transmission. In 2001, Viasat also purchased US Monolithics, a company focused on designing high frequency broadband circuitry, for around $30m. Viasat won a contract with WildBlue Communications worth $16m in March 2001 to build WildBlue’s satellite modems to support the company’s initial service launch. WildBlue signed a second contract with Viasat in 2001 for $17m for Viasat to develop and produce satellite modem termination systems for WildBlue’s six gateway stations. Eutelsat entered an agreement in 2001 to use Viasat’s LinkStar high performance IP terminals for their broadband multimedia network over Ku-based FSS satellites. Viasat entered a joint venture in 2001 with Loral Skynet to found Immeon Networks to develop the Immeon satellite bandwidth-on-demand service sold in monthly managed service plans. ABC News used Immeon to improve its voice and data-communications for on-location news.
2005-present
WildBlue launched its internet service in October 2004 after gaining Ka-band transponder capacity on the Telesat Anik F2 satellite. It conducted formal technical testing until January 2005, followed by nationwide beta testing before the first residential retail customers had services installed in June. The WildBlue service was upgraded in 2007 using the satellite WildBlue-1, which launched the year before.
In 2005, Viasat acquired Efficient Channel Coding, a producer of broadband communication integrated circuits and satellite communication systems, which gave Viasat access to the IPStar satellite broadband market. Enerdyne, a defence technology firm, was acquired by Viasat in 2006 for an initial investment of $17m adding its EnerLinks II video data link equipment to Viasat’s defence products.
Viasat acquired JAST Antenna Systems, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2007. JAST develops microwave circuits and antennas for terrestrial and mobile satellite applications.
In December 2009, Viasat bought WildBlue, based in Colorado, for $568m in cash and stock. Viasat issued 4.3 million shares for the stock component of the purchase. The United States Government granted stimulus funding to WildBlue to expand broadband coverage in rural areas. In 2010, Viasat bought Stonewood Group of Dorset, England, an encryption company, for $20m in cash and stock. In 2011, Viasat launched their first custom-built sa