Viasat boosts maritime networks as NexusWave advances toward expanded global bandwidth availability

Viasat boosts maritime networks as NexusWave advances toward expanded global bandwidth availability

(IN BRIEF) Inmarsat Maritime, part of Viasat, has introduced the next major phase of its NexusWave connectivity platform, building on the launch of the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite and ahead of Flight 3 entering service. With both satellites expected to be operational in 2026, NexusWave customers will gain access to higher bandwidth, more stable performance, and greater scalability through the new Intellian-built VS60 terminal, which recently recorded download speeds above 250 Mbps during sea testing. NexusWave integrates GEO Ka-band, LEO, LTE, and L-band into one bonded service, and the ViaSat-3 network will feature more than 1,000 steerable beams to deliver capacity where shipping and offshore traffic requires it most. Viasat executives describe the upgrade as a significant enhancement to reliability, security, and long-term connectivity planning for maritime operators.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 1-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Inmarsat Maritime, operating under Viasat (NASDAQ VSAT), has announced a major advancement for its NexusWave bonded connectivity platform, marking the next stage of development following the successful deployment of the ViaSat-3 Flight 2 satellite and ahead of the upcoming ViaSat-3 Flight 3 mission. With both satellites expected to enter commercial service in 2026, the upgrade promises a substantial leap in bandwidth availability for NexusWave users, enabled by a new generation maritime terminal and expanded capacity from VS3 Flight 2 covering the Americas and VS3 Flight 3 providing service across Asia-Pacific. This means that organisations adopting NexusWave today position themselves to benefit from stronger performance and speed consistency, greater flexibility, and a scalable path for increasing connectivity demands.

NexusWave continues to serve as Inmarsat’s end-to-end bonded multi-network solution, combining GEO Ka-band with LEO, LTE, and L-band technologies within one adaptive environment. The integration of the new ViaSat-3 ultra-high-capacity satellites opens the door to significantly higher throughput, more efficient network usage, and improved support for digital operations and crew connectivity—bringing shipboard internet experiences closer to on-shore workplace and home-level expectations.

A key component of this evolution is the VS60 maritime terminal, engineered by Intellian and driven by Viasat software-defined radio capabilities. The VS60 is designed specifically for the ViaSat-3 era, enhancing NexusWave architecture and providing the bandwidth needed for data-heavy applications, including corporate networks, media streaming, operational communications, and crew welfare tools. Recent real-world sea trials have shown VS60 download speeds surpassing 250 Mbps, while the system incorporates advanced security layers to protect sensitive information and maintain operational resilience.

The ViaSat-3 satellites themselves bring additional strategic advantages, featuring over 1,000 steerable spot beams capable of shifting bandwidth dynamically based on demand. This flexibility enables targeted capacity boosts across high-traffic corridors, ports, and offshore environments, supporting the evolving communication needs of global fleets.

Commenting on the rollout, Gert-Jan Panken, Vice President of Inmarsat Maritime, highlighted the strength of pairing NexusWave’s bonded multi-orbit design with the new ViaSat-3-ready hardware. He emphasised that this milestone reinforces long-term commitments to secure, reliable service and ensures customers can scale effortlessly as the network expands. Ben Palmer OBE, President of Viasat Commercial, added that NexusWave was engineered to deliver dependable performance across a complex connectivity environment, and the introduction of ViaSat-3 capacity represents another strong step in bringing greater flexibility, higher bandwidth, and future-focused upgrade options for customers and partners worldwide.

About Inmarsat Maritime

Inmarsat is a Viasat company and continues to power the digitalisation of the maritime industry. With over 40 years of experience, Inmarsat Maritime offers reliable and innovative solutions that enable ship owners and operators to stay connected, navigate safely, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure crew welfare.

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. In May 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 LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads and YouTube.

Inmarsat Maritime is based in Viasat’s global international business headquarters in London, United Kingdom. For further information about Inmarsat Maritime, visit Inmarsat.com/maritime and follow us on LinkedIn.

Copyright © 2025 Inmarsat Global Limited. All rights reserved. The INMARSAT trademark is owned by the International Mobile Satellite Organisation licensed to Inmarsat Global Limited. The Inmarsat LOGO is owned by Inmarsat Global Limited. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Inmarsat Maritime Contacts

Lidia Selivanova, VP Marketing & Comms, Inmarsat Maritime, lidia.selivanova@viasat.com

Debbi Bonner, Managing Director, JLA Media, debbi.bonner@j-l-a.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 plans to incorporate the ViaSat-3 Ka-band network and VS60 maritime terminal into the NexusWave solution, and the resulting improvements to performance, speeds, flexibility, network efficiency and data security. 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 access third-party capacity and services; 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 realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 class satellites and any future satellite we may construct or acquire; 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 satellites; 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 and services; our ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; and other factors affecting the maritime sector.  In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat’s SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including its 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.

SOURCE: Inmarsat