Viasat and the Evolution of Always-On Connectivity

Introduction: Powering a Connected World

At Viasat, we are driven by a simple but powerful belief: connectivity can unlock potential everywhere. We are a global communications company focused on delivering high-performance, reliable connectivity across land, air, and sea through advanced satellite systems and platforms. Our approach is built on a resilient, multi-orbit satellite network, coupled with cutting edge technology on Earth, to create global communications capabilities.

We are well known in the industry for our satellite infrastructure programs. Our ViaSat-3 constellation - including the recent launches of both ViaSat-3 F2 and F3 - represents another step forward to meet the rapidly growing international demand for data. We are further expanding our multi-orbit solutions for major industries like aviation and maritime. This approach gives us the ability to greatly expand our capabilities and help solve our customers’ challenges as a partner, not simply a provider.

Elsewhere, we are underway on several exciting innovations with the UK and European Space Agencies and many global partners. This includes advancing communications from the Moon, new Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology, and modernizing future airspace communications to save fuel, emissions, and improve safety. Many colleagues in our International Business Headquarters in London are actively developing these projects to make them a reality.

Our growing work in NTN, in particular, gives us the platform to explore new possibilities and extend connectivity to hundreds of millions - perhaps even billions - more devices in the future.

Non-Terrestrial Networks: A New Era for the Satellite Industry

NTN is an expanding satellite communications technology which can allow everyday devices like mobile phones, IoT devices, and vehicles to connect directly to satellites as well as cellular using international 3GPP standards, without the need for traditional satellite hardware. By integrating NTN into our broader vision to expand global connectivity, we are working towards a future where connectivity isn’t limited by geography. It can be near ubiquitous. We see it as one of the most exciting shifts in communications today.

What makes this so powerful is its simplicity. With new chipsets and modules, devices can connect to both terrestrial and satellite networks and stay connected nearly everywhere. Connectivity can become more resilient, more efficient, and more expansive than traditional models allowed.

The potential impact is enormous. NTN could help close long-standing coverage gaps, bringing connectivity to remote and underserved regions. It can also strengthen terrestrial networks in more dense areas by adding an additional layer of reliability and resilience.

Transforming Transport Through Connectivity

One of the areas in which we see real momentum is in connected mobility. Vehicles are becoming more intelligent, more autonomous, and more dependent on real-time data —and that means connectivity must be reliable.

We are working alongside industry leaders at the 5GAA to help advance Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technologies. These systems allow vehicles to communicate with their surroundings in real time, improving awareness, safety, and efficiency.

But terrestrial networks alone can’t always deliver full coverage. That’s where NTN comes in. By complementing ground-based networks, satellites can ensure vehicles stay connected even in remote areas or across borders. This is vital for new safety applications.

Bringing innovation to Life: Real-World Demonstrations

We are not just talking about this future — we’re actively demonstrating it. One of our recent collaborations with Cubic3 and Qualcomm at this year’s Mobile World Congress showed satellite-enabled voice calls for connected vehicles using NTN standards.

The demonstration showed that vehicles can maintain voice connectivity even when cellular networks are unavailable. That capability could make a meaningful difference in the event of an emergency, ensuring drivers remain connected to critical services when it matters most.

Looking Ahead: A Fully Connected Future

We believe the future of connectivity is about convergence — bringing together companies from wider tech with satellite and terrestrial networks, into one growing ecosystem. NTN is a critical part of that journey, enabling a world where connectivity is available almost everywhere.

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