Viasat is an American company that provides high-speed internet and secure communication systems. They work with both regular people and businesses, as well as the military. Viasat is known for using satellites to deliver internet, especially in places where regular internet isn't available. Their main office is in Carlsbad, California, but they have operations all over the world.

How Viasat Started and Grew
Viasat's Satellites
Viasat Internet Services
Security Systems
See also

How Viasat Started and Grew

Viasat was started in May 1986 by three people: Mark Dankberg, Mark Miller, and Steve Hart. They got some money to begin their company. In 1996, Viasat became a public company, meaning its shares could be bought and sold by anyone.

In 1999, Viasat moved to its main office in Carlsbad, California. They also created a separate company called TrellisWare Technology in 2000, which focuses on communication and signal processing.

Key Company Purchases

Viasat grew by buying other companies. In 2000, they bought a part of Scientific-Atlanta. This helped Viasat focus on providing interactive services for businesses.

In 2001, Viasat started working with Boeing to provide internet on airplanes. They also bought Comsat Laboratories, which helps them develop new satellite communication technologies.
They bought US Monolithics in 2001, a company that designs high-frequency circuits.
In 2009, Viasat bought WildBlue, a company that offered satellite internet. This was a big step for Viasat's home internet services.
Viasat also bought Stonewood Group in 2010, which specializes in encryption (making data secret and safe).
Later, they acquired companies like LonoCloud (cloud networking), Engreen (network software), and Arconics (aviation software) to improve their services.

Expanding Locations

Viasat has expanded its offices and facilities over the years:

In 2013, they started building a larger facility in Duluth, Georgia.
In 2015, they opened a big facility in Tempe, Arizona, focusing on advanced communication products and cybersecurity.
They also opened a research center in Chennai, India, in 2016.
In 2017, Viasat began building a new facility near Texas A&M Health Science Center in Bryan, Texas.

Recent Developments

In 2020, Viasat bought RigNet, a company that provides secure networking solutions. This helped Viasat offer more services to businesses and mobile users.
In 2021, Viasat tried to stop SpaceX from launching more Starlink satellites. Viasat was worried about environmental effects and space debris. However, the court allowed SpaceX to continue its launches.
In 2021, Viasat announced a big deal to buy Inmarsat, another satellite company. This merger was completed in May 2023, making Viasat an even larger global communication provider.
In 2022, Viasat sold its Tactical Data Link product line to L3Harris.

Viasat Cyber Attack

In February 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, many Viasat modems in Europe stopped working. This was due to a "deliberate cyber event." Researchers later found a special type of harmful software called AcidRain that was used to disable the routers. The European Union said this attack was carried out by Russia.

Viasat's Satellites

Viasat uses several satellites to provide its services. These satellites are like giant communication towers in space.

Anik-F2: Launched in 2004, this satellite is owned by Telesat, but Viasat uses its Ka-band resources.
WildBlue-1: Launched in 2006, this satellite became active in early 2007 and helps with Viasat's internet services.
ViaSat-1: Built by Space Systems/Loral, ViaSat-1 was launched in 2011 from Kazakhstan. It provides internet coverage across the US, Hawaii, Canada, and Alaska.
ViaSat-2: Launched in 2017, ViaSat-2 expanded Viasat's coverage area. It now includes Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, parts of South America, and routes over the Atlantic Ocean.
ViaSat-3: Viasat is planning to launch a group of three new ViaSat-3 satellites. These satellites are designed to offer even more internet capacity and global coverage. The first one is expected to launch soon.
KA-SAT: In 2020, Viasat took full ownership of the KA-SAT satellite, which was part of a previous joint project.

Viasat Internet Services

Viasat's WiFi modem

Viasat Internet, first called Exede, started in 2012. It offers broadband internet in areas where traditional internet providers can't reach. They also offer a home phone service called Voice.

How Viasat Internet Works

Viasat Internet uses satellites like ViaSat-1 and ViaSat-2. These satellites are in a special orbit far above Earth. This allows them to cover very large areas.

ViaSat-1 was designed by Viasat and built by Space Systems/Loral. It has 72 "spot beams" that focus internet signals on specific areas.
When it first launched, Viasat's internet was much faster than older satellite options. Over time, they have increased speeds, with some areas now getting 25 Mbit/s download speeds.
In 2017, the Exede name was changed to Viasat Internet.
Viasat's internet service covers most of the continental U.S. and Hawaii.
Because the satellites are so far away, there's a slight delay (called latency) in the signal. This can make things like video calls or online gaming a bit slower compared to regular internet.
Viasat also offers phone service using Voice over IP (VoIP). Companies like DirecTV and Dish Network also sell Viasat Internet to their customers.

Internet on Airplanes

Viasat also provides Wi-Fi service on airplanes.

In 2013, Viasat launched its in-flight Wi-Fi service on JetBlue flights.
Since then, they have expanded this service to many other airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Delta, and Qantas.
Their technology allows many passengers to connect to the internet at the same time on a single plane.

Internet Around the World

Viasat is working to bring internet to more places globally.

In 2017, they partnered with Grupo Prosperist in Mexico to offer "Community Wi-Fi." This service uses a central hotspot connected to a Viasat satellite to bring affordable internet to remote communities. By 2019, over a million people in Mexico could access this service.
Facebook also invested in Community Wi-Fi in 2019 to help bring satellite internet to rural areas worldwide.
In 2020, Viasat launched high-speed home internet service in Brazil, using the Telebras SGDC-1 satellite.

Security Systems

Viasat also creates security systems to protect important data and networks.

Data Encryption

Viasat makes special hard drives and USB drives called Eclypt. These drives encrypt (scramble) data so that if they are lost or stolen, the information on them cannot be read.
Governments, military groups, and police often use these secure drives.

Protecting Important Networks

In 2013, Viasat introduced Critical Infrastructure Security. This system helps protect important networks, like power grids, from cyber attacks.
It uses encrypted sensors to monitor network activity and detect anything unusual.
Viasat is working with Southern California Edison to improve the security of the nation's electric grid and other important systems.

Government Communications

Viasat provides secure communication services to the United States Government and military.

They offer mobile satellite broadband for government use.
Their "tactical data links" provide secure ways to send voice and data for the US military.
Viasat's encryption devices allow classified (secret) data to be sent safely over public networks.
They also provide real-time information for military command and control.
Viasat offers airborne mobile broadband for communications on planes, like the C-17 jets.
Their Satellite Access Manager (SAM) helps the Department of Defense with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions by monitoring network systems.

Viasat (American company) facts for kids

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