IP Transit

ViaSat Inc. has entered into an agreement with Asia Broadcast Satellite to provide Ka-band satellite IP transit service in key areas of the Middle East using the ABS (News - Alert)-7 satellite.

ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to virtually any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP transit applications, and is a supplier of network-centric military communications and encryption technologies and products to the U.S. and allied governments.

ABS-7 (formerly Koreasat-3) provides 600 MHz of Ka-band capacity suitable for IP transit and mobile broadband services, cellular backhaul, VSAT services, and US/NATO government requirements in the Middle East.

Officials with ViaSat (News - Alert) said that the bandwidth will be used for fixed and mobile IP transit satellite services as a part of the company’s continuing expansion of its Yonder mobile satellite network—from global Ku-band coverage to growing Ka-band coverage in key international markets. The Yonder mobile broadband service is one of ViaSat's fastest growing segments, serving business jets, maritime vessels, and government and defense customers around the world.

"This additional Ka-band capacity on ABS-7 will support and strengthen the Yonder mobile satellite network as it expands into markets in need of global connections in the Middle East and Asia," said Tom Choi, ceo of ABS, in a statement.

"We are very excited about this strategic collaboration with ViaSat," said Choi.

ABS is one of the fastest growing premium satellite operators in the world. ABS offers a complete range of end-to-end systems, including direct-to-home (DTH) and cable TV distribution (CATV), cellular backhaul, VSAT, and Internet backbone services with diverse IP transit through its European and Asian Internet gateways.

Paul Baca, VP and general manager of ViaSat's global mobile broadband business said that the partnership with ABS enables the company to work together to satisfy the growing need for satellite services in the Middle East and Asia.  

"This Ka capacity coupled with our small VR-12 airborne terminals enables higher transmission speeds and lower air time pricing for our Yonder mobile subscribers," said Baca.