[Satellite News 03-22-11] ViaSat’s push to capitalize on its Yonder in-flight broadband service in North America started in September, when the company solidified a partnership with JetBlue to install Ka-band satellite broadband connectivity on its entire 160-aircraft fleet in 2012. The operator took its next step in October, when it acquired the SkyLink airborne broadband service from Arinc and added their business jet customers to Yonder.
    In a previous interview with Satellite News, ViaSat CEO Mark Dankberg hinted at the operator’s next initiative to expand its Ka-band Yonder connectivity to a major U.S. commercial airline. “We’re taking the market way beyond what past services have offered in this market.  This year, you will see the migration from the older L-band solutions move faster than ever to the Ku- and Ka-band solutions we’re providing. We hope to continue developing this market internationally — but even more strongly in North America.”
    Through its JetBlue partner, ViaSat now will see its services adopted by one of its target airlines, as JetBlue subsidiary LiveTV signed a letter of intent March 22 with Continental Airlines to provide Ka-band airborne connectivity and Internet access provided by ViaSat. LiveTV expects to install the new video and data service, based on ViaSat’s ArcLight system, on Continental’s fleet of 200 Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft beginning in 2012. 
    “The addition of Continental Airlines to the LiveTV-ViaSat Ka-band service network further validates the value of real in-flight broadband,” Dankberg said. “We believe our unique in-flight broadband offering will enable a compelling passenger experience while delivering economics that work for customers. LiveTV understands these advantages and is in a great position to convey that message to its customer base and the industry in general.”
    The first aircraft is expected to rollout services following JetBlue’s introduction of the next ViaSat-1 broadband network to the commercial aviation market in 2012. The Via-Sat-1 spacecraft is scheduled to be placed in orbit this summer.
    The deal opens a wide door for ViaSat to demonstrate Ka-band’s ability and expand its presence on other airlines. LiveTV’s in-flight entertainment and connectivity system currently supports more than 700 aircraft from commercial airlines including: Continental, Frontier, AirTran, Alitalia, Virgin Blue, WestJet and Azul.
    Internationally, ViaSat is concentrating on expanding the Ku-band international mobility coverage it already provides to global airlines to include Ka-band Yonder mobile broadband service. Last week, ViaSat and YahSat subsidiary Star Satellite Communications restructured their October 2009 services agreement to make Yahsat Y1B Ka-band bandwidth available for Yonder subscribers.
    “We believe that broadband mobility will be a leading application for Ka-band bandwidth in the Middle East and welcome Yahsat Y1B as a very valuable portion of our global Yonder network. We expect this agreement to make the extensive Yahsat network of Ka-band coverage accessible to our rapidly growing network of aviation, maritime, and government Yonder global mobile subscribers in the region,” ViaSat Vice President and General Manager Paul Baca said in a statement.