ViaSat Supports FCC Chairman Remarks on Spectrum Sharing for 5G and Satellite Broadband

Mark Dankberg, Chariman and CEO of ViaSat. Photo: ViaSat

[Via Satellite 06-24-2016] ViaSat is supporting comments made earlier this week by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler in an address titled, “The Future of U.S. Leadership in a 5G World.”

“We are encouraged by the chairman’s emphasis on finding a balanced solution providing terrestrial wireless providers with access for new 5G services while protecting the continued access to this spectrum for next-generation high-speed satellite broadband services. This type of sharing would enable both to coexist and play an important role in providing faster speed, higher quality internet and video streaming to consumers across the country,” said Mark Dankberg, ViaSat chairman and CEO. “In addition to sharing spectrum, we are pleased the commission will look at adding 5G spectrum access in additional bands — recognizing the future of 5G wireless will not be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ environment.”

Wheeler’s speech comes on the heels of the FCC’s recent decision to allow all internet services, including ViaSat’s satellite broadband service Exede, to compete for universal service funds under the Connect America Fund (CAF) program.