ViaSat completes acquisition of WildBlue Communications

CARLSBAD, USA: ViaSat Inc., a producer of innovative satellite and other wireless communication systems, has completed the previously announced acquisition of privately-held WildBlue Communications Inc., the premier Ka-band satellite broadband service provider.

In acquiring WildBlue, ViaSat gains one of the most successful and fastest growing wholesale and retail broadband service providers in the United States. The combination of ViaSat and WildBlue sets the stage for accelerated growth and expansion of the WildBlue broadband service using ViaSat next generation network technology, featuring the high-capacity ViaSat-1 satellite scheduled to launch in early 2011.

“The WildBlue acquisition advances our entry into the Ka-band broadband service business by over a year and more completely establishes the financial and strategic framework to capture the value anticipated from the ViaSat-1 satellite. We also believe the resources and skills of the WildBlue team add greater momentum to our plans to bring satellite broadband to new markets and applications on a global scale,” said Mark Dankberg, ViaSat chairman and CEO.

ViaSat expects to provide a current financial outlook for fiscal year 2011, including the effects of the acquisition, at its next earnings conference call scheduled for early February 2010.