Rendering of Telesat’s Lightspeed LEO constellation. Photo: Telesat

Global satellite operators Viasat and Telesat have signed a significant multi-year contract agreement that will see Viasat purchase Low Earth Orbit (LEO) capacity for aviation, maritime, enterprise and defense markets from Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation.

Viasat said the purchase from Telesat is part of the operator’s strategy to build a multi-orbit offering for its entire market portfolio, including commercial aviation and government. Viasat customers will be able to access the LEO network when Telesat Lightspeed global services commence in late 2027.

“By leveraging our own satellite fleet and its unique advantages, existing national operator partnerships, plus coverage and capacity from leading third-party satellites and constellations, our services are designed to provide customers with the essential capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need,” Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said in the announcement. “Importantly, we have continued to innovate advanced multi-orbit resource management techniques to reduce costs and expand geographic coverage to better serve the unique needs of each mobility and defense customer.”

The deal was announced this week after both operators previously shared that discussions were underway in recent months.

“We are honored to be selected by Viasat – a global leader in satellite-delivered broadband solutions – as a LEO broadband connectivity provider, further validating the unique capabilities Telesat Lightspeed offers to enhance a service provider’s value proposition in the dynamic broadband connectivity market,” Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg added in his company’s own statement.

Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.