Profile: ViaSat Inc (VSAT.O)

ViaSat, Inc., incorporated in 1986, is a producer of satellite and other wireless communications and networking systems to government and commercial customers. The Company is organized principally in three segments: government systems, commercial networks and satellite services. The Company’s government systems business is focused on network-centric government communications, where it develops and produces systems and specialized equipment for government customers for tactical data links, unmanned aerial vehicles, secure networking, signal processing and generation, and satellite communications applications. In its commercial networks segment, the Company develops and produces systems and products for consumer, enterprise and mobile (aviation and maritime) broadband customers. Its satellite services segment provides managed network satellite services to enterprise and mobile broadband customers. In December 2009, the Company completed the previously announced acquisition of WildBlue Communications Inc., the Ka-band satellite broadband service provider.

Government Systems

The Company’s government business encompasses specialized products principally serving defense customers and includes data links, including multifunction information distribution system (MIDS) terminals, MIDS joint tactical radio system (JTRS) development and unmanned vehicle technologies; information security and assurance products and services, which enable military and government users to communicate secure information over secure and non-secure networks, and government satellite communication systems and products, including ultra high frequency (UHF) DAMA satellite communications products consisting of modems, terminals and network control systems, and broadband solutions to government customers to increase available bandwidth using existing satellite capacity. The Company’s government systems communication products help its customers collect, process, protect, and disseminate information in all its digital forms. Its network-centric satellite and wireless communication products are used by tactical armed forces, first-responders and remote government employees.

Commercial Networks

ViaSat Inc. provides a variety of satellite communications network solutions for multiple sectors of the commercial market. Its commercial networks segment principally provides networking hardware and software to satellite or communications service providers. The commercial networks segment offers an end-to-end capability to provide customers with a range of satellite communication and other wireless communications equipment solutions, including consumer broadband products and solutions to customers based on data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) or digital video broadcasting - return channel via satellite (DVB-RCS) based technology, mobile broadband products and systems for airborne, maritime and ground mobile broadband applications, enterprise very small aperture terminal (VSAT) networks products, satellite networking systems design and technology development, and antenna systems for commercial and defense applications and customers.

Satellite Services

The Company’s satellite services segment encompasses three primary areas: managed broadband services, mobile broadband services and wholesale bandwidth services. Its mobile broadband service includes network management services for its customers who utilize arclight-based mobile communication systems, also through network management center. Its satellite services segment provides managed network services to customers. For everyday enterprise networking or backup protection for primary networks, its managed broadband service provides a combination of terrestrial and satellite connections through a call center and network management operation to ensure customer network availability and digital satellite communications.

The Company competes with BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Harris, L-3 Communications, Rockwell Collins, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Systems, Gilat, Hughes Communications, iDirect Technologies, Andrew Corporation, General Dynamics (VertexRSI) and L-3 Titan.