Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has announced a first-of-its-kind direct service model for business aviation, Ka-band, In-flight Connectivity (IFC).
Called Viasat Select, the new service introduces custom IFC solutions and compelling connectivity plans that are tailored to match a business aircraft’s specific operational profile. The Viasat Select service plans include global and regional unlimited plans that feature uncapped data paired with Viasat’s popular “No Speed Limit” Ka-band IFC. Viasat’s ability to offer both uncapped data and no speed limits is unique because of the firm’s Ka-band satellite capacity advantage. Viasat Select also offers entry-level service plans, including a sub-$3k regional plan that delivers Ka-band connectivity at a significant value, especially when compared to current air-to-ground or other satellite-based IFC options.
The Viasat Select plans empower operators to take advantage of the Company’s current cross-regional capacity and coverage to suit current and anticipated connectivity demands and come with the expectation that Viasat’s future global constellation, ViaSat-3, and forward compatible IFC system, will accommodate increasing speed and data requirements.
With the Viasat Select Ka-band service plans, business jet operators can benefit from similar connectivity in-flight as they do on the ground, typically with speeds greater than 20 Mbps. In fact, some operators with Viasat Ka-band IFC have reported speeds greater than 80 Mbps. That level of connectivity, made possible by Viasat’s substantial satellite network capacity, allows all passengers to enjoy in-flight applications such as video conferencing, streaming music, video, and TV, corporate VPN access and more during all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, and landing.
Viasat will continue to offer Ka-band service through its network of value-added resellers (VARs), ensuring operators have multiple options for procuring their industry-leading IFC service and the ability to utilize additional services offered by Viasat’s VARs
As the Company serves as a singular point of contact for connectivity solutions with Viasat Select, from designing and building the highest capacity satellites in the world to its customer experience, care and maintenance support tools, Viasat is simplifying how business jet operators can access a long-term, high-capacity IFC solution that meets their needs today and well into the future.
“We’re launching Viasat Select at a time when there is incredible demand for in-flight connectivity and just before we bring an immense amount of additional Ka-band capacity to market with our next-generation satellite constellation,” said Claudio D’Amico, Viasat business area director, Business Aviation. “Operators overwhelmingly told us that selecting products in the market with data and speed caps was a key challenge for in-flight connectivity. With Viasat Select, we can eliminate those constraints by leveraging our capacity while offering unmatched economics since we manage the service from end-to-end.”
D’Amico continued, “With Viasat Select, operators with different connectivity requirements and aircraft operational profiles can chose a plan that will best match their needs. Every plan will offer the same performance and deliver our leading customer experience, care and support. With ViaSat-3 coverage and capacity augmentation scheduled for next year, we will further enhance our customers’ overall experience.”
