Launch of ViaSat-3 F3 on a Falcon Heavy rocket in April 2026
A whole lot of Ka-band capacity just came online in Asia. The ViaSat-3 F3 satellite, launched in April 2026, entered service today, promising a terabit per second of capacity in the region.
Asia-Pacific presents a unique challenge for satellite connectivity, with demand concentrated in specific corridors and markets across a vast geography. ViaSat-3 F3 gives us the flexibility to direct high operating leverage capacity where demand and opportunity are greatest.
– Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of Viasat
Capacity on ViaSat-3 F3 will augment service currently being delivered in a big way. Viasat’s Ka-band coverage in Asia is mostly powered by the GX constellation it acquired with the Inmarsat purchase. Since mid-2024 some of the GX capacity was reallocated to the ViaSat-3 operations, allowing airlines (and others) to benefit from the coverage footprint while awaiting the new, higher capacity satellites.
Most importantly for airlines, the existing GM-40 terminal can communicate with the new satellites, meaning all of Viasat’s modern aircraft deployments are ready to go. Which is not to say they’re active yet, but it should be happening soon.
The company confirms the rollout to aircraft will occur in a “controlled way over time.” That includes an over-the-air update to the on-board configuration so no aircraft touch is required.
Viasat remains confident its approach to capacity will beat that of the LEO operators. Speaking to PaxEx.Aero in advance of the F3 launch earlier this year, CEO Mark Dankberg explained, “the highest demand place at one time is not the same as at another time. So rather than having a whole bunch of bandwidth in one place, you can move it all around. Adjusting it both spatially and temporally There’s a really big cost advantage there.”
Dankberg also notes that Viasat knows the LEO costs based on its NexusWave offering, so its analysis is well-informed. He continued, “The LEO guys keep saying, ‘Ah, you know, never going to achieve our [price] levels,’ but we can tell what they are, and we know [our capacity] is going to be more cost effective. That’s also going to be good for all the other businesses that we do besides mobility.”
While the longer-term economics play out, the availability is great news for airlines and passengers short-term. And with F2 slated to come online shortly over the Americas and Atlantic, the performance should similarly improve in those areas soon.
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Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.
He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.
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