ViaSat [Nasdaq: VSAT], a Carlsbad, Calif.-based VSAT and Ka-band communications provider, has been awarded a contract by an undisclosed satellite operator to procure ViaSat’s DOCSIS-based two-way broadband satellite system to offer high speed, consumer Internet service. The multi-year contract, with a value in excess of $30 million, includes a high capacity gateway, customer premises terminals, and related support services.

ViaSat’s SurfBeam system leverages the cable modem networking standard called DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification). Coupled with advanced satellite waveforms, SurfBeam lowers the cost of consumer terminals, reduces satellite bandwidth requirements, enables easy self-provision for customers, and provides mature customer service, billing and network control software to network providers.