The Federal Communications Commission on December 23, 2021 issued an Order granting Viasat-3 the position of 88.9 degrees W.L. The FCC licenses and regulates communications in the United States and Viasat complies with FCC requirements. Viasat-3 satellites will be in geostationary orbit around the earth so that satellite customers can get their internet service with just a clear view of the Southern sky and not a full sky view. It can be difficult to get a clear horizon-to-horizon view of the sky in any location where trees or other structures are present. With geostationary orbit you only need the clear path to the Southern sky.

The 3 Series comprises three satellites. Each Viasat 3 satellite will be able to transfer 1 Terabyte of data per second (Tbps). This will be a significant advance in bandwidth for global high-speed internet streaming. The first Viasat3 satellite will cover the Americas (North and South) and is expected to be launched in March 2023. Subsequent Viasat 3 satellites will deploy over the Asian Pacific region and Europe, the Middle-East and Africa. Exact dates and the sequences have not been set but launch rockets have already been selected and launch is expected to follow as soon as testing is completed. There is an intense effort to get this constellation through all testing and into space as soon as it can be accomplished.

The additional capacity being added first over the Americas will be a game-changer for Viasat satellite internet homes that currently want more speed for work, fun and everyday online tasks. It’s coming in 2023 and Viasat teams are their partners are working hard to make it happen.