Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Viasat Enlists Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit Satellites to Challenge SpaceX
TAMPA, Fla. — Geostationary satellite communications provider Viasat has entered into an agreement with Telesat to utilize its planned low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. This strategic move is designed to bolster Viasat’s competitive stance against rivals in the LEO broadband market, most notably SpaceX and its Starlink network. Telesat intends to commence deployment of its Lightspeed constellation in the coming year.
Substantial Multi-Year Contract for Lightspeed Constellation
Telesat, headquartered in Canada, characterized the newly signed multi-year contract as significant in a press announcement released on April 7. However, both companies have opted to keep the financial terms of the agreement confidential.
To date, Telesat has publicly revealed a revenue pipeline of 600 million Canadian dollars ($419 million) for its Lightspeed project. A substantial portion of this backlog originates from a commitment by the Canadian federal government.
Anticipated Growth in Lightspeed Commitments
Nevertheless, Telesat CEO Dan Goldberg recently indicated that commitments for Lightspeed are highly likely to surpass 1.1 billion Canadian dollars this year. This figure is equivalent to the company’s geostationary business revenue recorded at the close of 2024.
Expanding Customer Base for Telesat Lightspeed
The agreement with Viasat follows Telesat’s recent announcements of smaller-scale customer agreements for Lightspeed. These earlier deals include partnerships with Space Norway, a Norwegian satellite operator, as well as telecommunications companies Orange (France) and ADN Telecom (Bangladesh).
vCard.red is a free platform for creating a mobile-friendly digital business cards. You can easily create a vCard and generate a QR code for it, allowing others to scan and save your contact details instantly.
The platform allows you to display contact information, social media links, services, and products all in one shareable link. Optional features include appointment scheduling, WhatsApp-based storefronts, media galleries, and custom design options.
SpaceX Launch Contract for Lightspeed Deployment
Under a prior contract, SpaceX is scheduled to conduct 14 launches starting in mid-2026. These launches are aimed at deploying the entire constellation of 198 Lightspeed satellites within a one-year timeframe.
Multi-Orbit Strategy for Enhanced Connectivity
Following OneWeb Capacity Deal
Viasat previously secured a comparable capacity contract last year with OneWeb, the LEO constellation operated by France-based Eutelsat. OneWeb initiated partial services in 2023 but has been addressing ground infrastructure challenges affecting global coverage.
Lightspeed Deal Extends Beyond Maritime
However, the previous OneWeb contract was limited to maritime services. According to a Viasat spokesperson, the current Lightspeed agreement encompasses maritime, aviation, government, and enterprise connectivity solutions, representing a broader scope.
Competition Intensifies in Broadband Markets
SpaceX has been gaining considerable traction across these diverse markets since the commercial launch of Starlink five years prior. Starlink’s initial focus was on delivering low-latency LEO broadband services to residential customers. This market entry has intensified competitive pressures on Viasat, Telesat, Eutelsat, and other established geostationary operators.
Leveraging LEO for Non-Consumer Markets
These operators contend that integrating the extensive global reach of geostationary satellites with the low-latency advantages of LEO constellations will provide a distinct competitive edge over Starlink, particularly in non-consumer market segments that prioritize resilience and operational flexibility.
Viasat Antenna Compatibility with Lightspeed
Viasat confirmed that its existing GM-40 antennas, already installed on thousands of aircraft, will be compatible with the Telesat Lightspeed network upon its anticipated operational launch in late 2027.
Planned Upgrades for Full Lightspeed Utilization
The U.S.-based company further stated its intention to upgrade to electronically steerable antennas in the future. This upgrade is planned to fully harness the advanced capabilities offered by the Telesat Lightspeed network.