Australia’s national broadband network has selected ViaSat to provide the ground-based communications, network management, and data processing systems for the Long Term Satellite Service component of its project.
The initial value of the contract is valued in excess of $240 million, which is expected to increase as the network is built out to reach up to 200,000 homes and businesses.
ViaSat will supply consumer satellite terminals, including broadband modems and antennas for Australian homes and businesses, and 13.5-metre diameter Ka-band satellite antennas for ten ground station gateway facilities across Australia. The contract award follows a comprehensive, two-year procurement process by NBN Co.
“The rollout of Australia’s NBN is the most comprehensive broadband plan in the world and we are excited to deliver part of the satellite ground portion,” said Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat Inc. “We have long-shared the NBN Co vision of fiber-grade satellite network access. The work we do in Australia over the next three years will be pivotal in establishing the state-of-the-art in affordable, satellite broadband.”
- NBN Co. plans to launch two KA-band satellites in early 2015 at a cost of $620 million. The Long Term Satellite System (LTSS) Ka-band satellite service is then expected hit the market by the end of 2015.
- In May 2011, NBN Co awarded a 10-year contract to Ericsson to design, build and operate a 4G fixed-wireless network. The deal is valued at up to AUS $1.1 billion. The fixed-wireless broadband network will deliver up to 12 Mbps downstream to locations not reachable by fiber.