AIX 2025: Viasat to Integrate Telesat Lightspeed LEO Capacity into Multi-Orbit Network; Launches Amara Next-Gen IFC Solution
Share
With the results from Viasat’s most recent Passenger Experience survey showing that 75 percent of participants would be more likely to select an airline that provides quality Wi-Fi, it’s of paramount importance that airlines can cater to their needs. With its news at Aircraft Interiors Expo, it’s clear Viasat is determined to rise to the challenge.
Viasat Adds LEO Capacity to Multi-Orbit Network Roadmap
In another step forward for Viasat’s multi-orbit network roadmap, the company has announced plans to integrate Telesat Lightspeed’s LEO Ka-band capacity with its ultra-high throughput satellites to offer customers fast, robust and cost-effective in-flight connectivity (IFC).
Viasat’s Chairman and CEO Mark Dankberg commented, “By leveraging our own satellite fleet and its unique advantages, existing national operator partnerships, plus coverage and capacity from leading third-party satellites and constellations, our services are designed to provide customers with the essential capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need.
“Importantly, we have continued to innovate advanced multi-orbit resource management techniques to reduce costs and expand geographic coverage to better serve the unique needs of each mobility and defense customer.
“In parallel, we are working to ensure equitable access to finite space resources and support regulatory certainty enabling multi-orbit solutions and related infrastructure to thrive in a shared and sustainable way,” he continued.
Amara: Helping Airlines Take Full Advantage of Viasat’s Multi-Orbit Network
To complement its multi-orbit network, Viasat has created Amara, an IFC solution that combines a core satellite network design, hardware advancements and a suite of digital products.
Viasat Amara can already offer optimized, multi-network connectivity via a simple software upgrade to Viasat’s proven terminal, which – according to Valour Consultancy – is deployed on more than 3,000 aircraft and services approximately 10,000 flights per day.
However, as part of its forward-looking terminal roadmap, Viasat is also creating a proprietary electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, Viasat Aera, which is expected to enter commercial service in 2028.
Viasat Aera will unlock simultaneous, dual-beam connections across satellites in GEO, HEO, and LEO by dynamically adapting the connectivity to capitalize on the strengths of all available transmission assets.
The company predicts that upgrading to the Viasat Aera terminal will take less than a day by re-using the ARINC 791 antenna attach points with no change to the in-cabin network.
“Viasat Amara will help our airline customers […] truly take hold of the differentiating opportunities that in-flight connectivity presents.”
– Meherwan Polad, Viasat
“Viasat Amara goes far beyond fast and free high-speed Wi-Fi,” said Visat’s SVP & GM, Global Commercial Aviation, Don Buchman. “It’s a cutting-edge solution designed to meet the unique needs of each airline and every individual user – and in real-time across a smart multi-orbit network. Our pioneering mission remains to help our airline customers maximize connectivity’s enormous potential for brand, loyalty, and growth.”
Together with additional features,such as smart network enhancements and application-level data linking to satellites in multiple orbits, the company believes Amara is scalable and future-proof.
SVP & CCO of Viasat Commercial Services Meherwan Polad stated, “Viasat Amara will help our airline customers […] truly take hold of the differentiating opportunities that in-flight connectivity presents. The monetization and brand boosting opportunities provided by our powerful digital products, such as Viasat Ads [something it was showcasing at SXSW in March] accentuate this even further.”
Viasat continues to invest in its in-flight connectivity offerings for airlines, both with its own technological innovations and by harnessing that of others. Airlines are responding favorably, with Riyadh Air announcing its selection of Viasat’s IFC offering for its Dreamliner fleet just before AIX began.