ViaSat-1 Completes First Link with WildBlue Network, Broadband Terminals
By Jeffrey Hill | December 9, 2011
[Satellite TODAY 12-09-11] ViaSat has transmitted the first data over its ViaSat-1 high-capacity satellite and the high-speed data network of its subsidiary, WildBlue, the companies announced Dec. 7.
According to ViaSat, the initial transmissions and receptions were completed Dec. 2 from a SurfBeam 2 terminal at the company’s Carlsbad campus, as well through the ViaSat-1 satellite and a gateway located in Milford, Utah. The test included email, Web surfing and video streaming.
ViaSat-1’s in-orbit testing is on schedule for completion in mid-December. Once complete, the satellite’s manufacturer Space Systems/Loral will hand over operation of the 140 Gbps capacity satellite to ViaSat and its partner Telesat. ViaSat will then begin the final phase of integration with a network of 20 SurfBeam 2 ground stations that connect the satellite to the Internet backbone. ViaSat-1 commercial service is expected to begin prior to the end of 2011.
“We have advanced satellite technology to the point that satellite can now be a better alternative for broadband Internet than DSL, and 3G / 4G wireless offerings for fixed home use. [The satellite is] an enormous leap for satellite broadband technology," ViaSat CEO Mark Dankberg said in a statement.