Eutelsat and ViaSat will connect their high-capacity satellite networks in Ka band

These two Ka-band networks represent well over half of the world's on-orbit Ka-band capacity and share the same ecosystem of high-capacity satellites.

Eutelsat Communications and ViaSat have closed an agreement for the joint use of high-capacity satellite network services from both companies (KA-SAT for Eutelsat and ViaSat-1 for ViaSat).

These two Ka-band networks represent well over half of the world's on-orbit Ka-band capacity and share the same high-capacity satellite ecosystem enabled by ViaSat's broadband system, alongside other ground infrastructure owned and operated by Eutelsat and ViaSat.

The agreement also lays out the framework for future collaborations with future satellites and future technologies including ViaSat-2, scheduled to launch in 2016 and which is designed to cover a broader footprint in North America, Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean and the North Atlantic, building a high-capacity coverage area in the region.

Michel de Rosen, president and CEO of Eutelsat, highlighted that "by working with ViaSat, we can extend to North America the high-quality service that we already offer to our customers in Europe through KA-SAT, and create a bridge between both satellite systems with the addition of ViaSat-2. We consider that this feature will be a great point in favor for companies that offer mobile services and that need to move capacity for users from one region to another."