CARLSBAD., Calif., Dec, 20, 2023 – Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today introduced its Business Choice internet service plans, offering small-to-medium businesses coast-to-coast access to high-speed and reliable connectivity, allowing business customers, even in the hardest-to-reach locations where terrestrial-based internet is unavailable, to take advantage of critical business tools. Viasat’s new business-grade plans will deliver quality, high-speed internet service that empowers business owners to embrace the latest digital technology to help competitively position their business, including those located in rural America. Viasat Business Choice plans offer faster speeds than any of the company’s previous business plans including download speeds up to 100 Mbps coast-to-coast and up to 150 Mbps in select areas. Viasat’s Business Choice internet service plans are available today.
According to the Small Business Administration, there are approximately 32 million small businesses in the U.S. Some rural areas continue to lack access to broadband, which hamper operations for small businesses in those areas. A Google sponsored survey of small businesses with fewer than 250 employees found that 8 percent of small businesses lack adequate access to broadband. However, small businesses are eager to embrace connectivity and are more positive about the economy and their overall business health this quarter, according to the Small Business Index Q3 2023. Currently, one-third (33%) of small businesses say the U.S. economy is in good health, a nine-percentage point increase from last quarter. A similar number (38%) feel the same about their local economy (up eight percentage points from Q2). Small businesses are also feeling better about their business health and cash flow. In addition to increasing optimism about the local and national economies, small businesses remain optimistic about future revenues, and many have plans to increase investment and hiring.
Viasat’s new Business Choice service plans will provide access to critical broadband speeds to help enable efficient business operations, power unified communications like VoIP and video conferencing to stay connected with clients and staff, reach a global customer base and access critical business tools. In today’s small-to-medium business market, access to cloud-based applications and software, such as accounting software for payroll, and uploading and storing large documents and data can help business owners create a competitive edge. Just as important, business customers require true resiliency in their networks to ensure business continuity during traumatic weather events and network outrages – both of which are on the rise. Viasat’s Business Choice plans offer a backup service plan that delivers peace of mind for business owners.
All Viasat Business Choice plans come with built in Wi-Fi, professional installation, and business-class support with live agents. Designed for businesses and included in most plans, Unlimited Office Hours give businesses the ability to use many popular business apps without using data, and Viasat’s network is optimized for third-party VoIP platforms to support voice service. Additional Business Choice add-ons include Viasat Voice for Business, Data Boost which provides the option to purchase more high-speed data and Static IP address for businesses that host their own website, use security cameras, or require remote access.
Steven Mesnick, general manager of U.S. broadband at Viasat, commented, “We’ve been working closely with our business customers to understand their specific needs and have created new business-grade internet service plans to meet those needs. The new Business Choice plans offer the speed and data necessary to create new opportunities for small-to-medium businesses to compete and succeed.”
Viasat is a proud participant in the FCC’s Connect America Fund Phase II Auction Program (CAF II) and offers plans with discounted business internet service to qualifying service areas. For more information about Viasat’s new Business Choice internet plans, please click here.
About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. On May 30, 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
Copyright © 2023 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Carlos Mangandy, Public Relations, +1 (408) 529-7396 carlos.mangandy@viasat.com
Paul Froelich/Peter Lopez, Investor Relations, +1 (760) 476-2633, IR@viasat.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to the speed, reliability, data, coverage, features and other benefits of the Business Choice internet plans. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 class satellites and any future satellite we may construct or acquire; unexpected expenses related to our satellite projects; our ability to successfully implement our business plan for our broadband services on our anticipated timeline or at all; capacity constraints in our business in the lead-up to the launch of services on our ViaSat-3 satellites; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; our ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers; our reliance on a limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply our products; increased competition and other factors affecting the connectivity sector, generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.