Viasat launches ViaSat-3 F3 satellite service in Asia-Pacific

Viasat has officially placed its ViaSat-3 F3 satellite into service over the Asia-Pacific region. The satellite adds 1 terabit per second of capacity to the company’s network, specifically targeting premium mobility markets such as aviation, maritime, and government sectors.

CEO Mark Dankberg noted that the Asia-Pacific region presents unique connectivity challenges due to demand being concentrated in specific corridors across vast geographies. The F3 satellite provides the flexibility to direct capacity where demand is highest. This deployment follows the launch of the F3 via a SpaceX Falcon Heavy mission in April.

The F3 is the second of the three-satellite ViaSat-3 constellation to enter service, with the F2 satellite currently in the final stages of in-orbit testing. The expansion aims to bolster Viasat’s competitive position against rivals like Starlink Aviation and multi-orbit solutions from SES and Amazon.