February 27, 2004
US Monolithics to Supply Ka-Band Transceivers for WildBlue Consumer
Broadband Service
US Monolithics, a supplier of broadband wireless transceiver MMICs and modules, and ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT) announced today a contract whereby US Monolithics will be the exclusive supplier of outdoor satellite transceiver electronics to ViaSat for WildBlue Communications Inc., an emerging satellite broadband Internet service provider. WildBlue and US Monolithics have had a long relationship focused on developing a customized, highly-integrated, low-cost Ka-band transceiver for the WildBlue consumer satellite service. WildBlue is expected to launch its satellite broadband service in the latter half of 2004.
For WildBlue, US Monolithics plans to supply a 3-watt linear output power transceiver operating at transmit frequencies of 29.5 to 30.0 GHz and receive frequencies of 19.7 to 20.2 GHz, integrated into a single, compact package.
“We’re very happy to be continuing our long-term relationship with WildBlue,” said Dave Corman, president of U.S. Monolithics. “It’s exciting to be part of the ViaSat team that’s developing the technology that will enable the market for low-cost, Ka-band consumer Internet services to emerge.”
WildBlue is expected to be the first to launch a commercial service using the Ka-band spot beam satellite technology designed to lower the cost of providing consumers high-speed Internet access via satellite. The WildBlue system will also utilize terrestrial cable modem technology, resulting in lower customer equipment and installation costs - a critical requirement in satellite-based consumer services. The WildBlue service is designed to be especially appealing to the millions of homes and small offices in small cities and rural America that lack access to DSL or cable modem service.
Denver-based WildBlue was established in 1997 to accelerate consumer broadband access to the Internet in smaller cities and throughout rural America. WildBlue's services are designed to deliver on consumer desires for a fast, affordable, always-on two-way technology for wireless Internet access. Service is slated to begin in the second half of 2004.
About US Monolithics
U.S. Monolithics, based in Chandler, Arizona, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ViaSat Inc., a producer of innovative satellite and other network communication products that enable fast, easy, secure, and efficient communications to any location. U.S. Monolithics focuses on providing superior, low-cost, MMIC-based products to the growing wireless telecommunications markets including satellite communications, point-to-point, and point-to-multipoint systems. U.S. Monolithics’ products include high-power Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) components and multi-chip modules, including power amplifiers, transceivers, and integrated block converters.
Safe Harbor Statement
Portions of this release, particularly statements about the capabilities of the USM transceivers and the WildBlue service, may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: ViaSat’s ability to perform under existing contracts and obtain additional contracts, ViaSat’s ability to develop new products that gain market acceptance, changes in product supply, pricing and customer demand, changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers, changes in government regulations, changes in economic conditions globally and in the communications markets in particular, increased competition, potential product liability, infringement and other claims, and other factors affecting the communications industry generally. ViaSat refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled Factors That May Affect Future Performance in ViaSat’s Form 10-K. These documents contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.
