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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
10-K
(Mark One)
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended
March 31, 2022
or
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from
to
.
Commission file number (000-21767)
VIASAT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
|
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Delaware
|
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33-0174996
|
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
|
|
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
|
6155 El Camino Real
Carlsbad,
California
92009
(760)
476-2200
(Address of principal executive offices and telephone
number)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the
Act:
|
|
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|
|
(Title of Each Class)
|
|
(Trading Symbol)
|
|
(Name of Each Exchange on which Registered)
|
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
|
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VSAT
|
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The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
|
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the
Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned
issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of
1933.
☒
Yes
☐
No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file
reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
☐
Yes
☒
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days.
☒
Yes
☐
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted
electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter)
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to submit such files).
☒
Yes
☐
No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large
accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a
smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the
definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
|
|
|
|
|
Large accelerated filer
|
☒
|
|
Accelerated filer
|
☐
|
Non-accelerated filer
|
☐
|
|
Smaller reporting company
|
☐
|
|
|
|
Emerging growth company
|
☐
|
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the
registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting
standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange
Act.
☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on
and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section
404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the
registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit
report.
☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
☐
Yes
☒
No
The aggregate market value of the common stock held by
non-affiliates of the registrant as of September 30, 2021
was approximately $3,897,588,723
(based on the closing price on that date for shares of the
registrant’s common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select
Market).
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock,
$0.0001 par value, as of May 13, 2022
was
74,437,039.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation
14A in connection with its
2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference
into Part III of this Form 10-K where indicated. Such Proxy
Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
not later than 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended
March 31, 2022.
VIASAT, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
PART
I
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,”
contains forward-looking statements regarding future events and our
future results that are subject to the safe harbors created under
the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
These statements are based on current expectations, estimates,
forecasts and projections about the industries in which we operate
and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. We use words
such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “project,” “seek,”
“should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” variations of such words and
similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. In
addition, statements that refer to the proposed Inmarsat
Transaction (as defined below) and any statements regarding the
expected timing, benefits, synergies, growth opportunities and
other financial and operating benefits thereof, the closing of the
Inmarsat Transaction and timing or satisfaction of regulatory and
other closing conditions, or the anticipated operations, financial
position, liquidity, performance, prospects or growth and scale
opportunities of the combined company; the impact of the novel
coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on our business; our expectations
regarding an end to the pandemic and a lessening of its effects on
our business, including expectations for increased airline
passenger traffic and in-flight connectivity (IFC) growth;
projections of earnings, revenue, costs or other financial items;
anticipated growth and trends in our business or key markets;
future economic conditions and performance; the anticipated
benefits of our acquisitions of RigNet, Inc. (RigNet) and Euro
Broadband Infrastructure Sàrl (EBI); the development, customer
acceptance and anticipated performance of technologies, products or
services; satellite construction and launch activities; the
performance and anticipated benefits of our ViaSat-3 class
satellites and any future satellite we may construct or acquire;
the expected completion, capacity, service, coverage, service
speeds and other features of our satellites, and the timing, cost,
economics and other benefits associated therewith; anticipated
subscriber growth; plans, objectives and strategies for future
operations; international growth opportunities; the number of
additional aircraft under existing contracts with commercial
airlines anticipated to be put into service with our IFC systems;
and other characterizations of future events or circumstances, are
forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that these
forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
include: risks and uncertainties related to the Inmarsat
Transaction, including the failure to obtain, or delays in
obtaining, required regulatory approvals or clearances; the risk
that any such approval may result in the imposition of conditions
that could adversely affect Viasat, the combined company or the
expected benefits of the Inmarsat Transaction; the failure to
satisfy any of the closing conditions to the Inmarsat Transaction
on a timely basis or at all; any adverse impact on the business of
Viasat or Inmarsat as a result of uncertainty surrounding the
Inmarsat Transaction; the nature, cost and outcome of any legal
proceedings related to the Inmarsat Transaction; the occurrence of
any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to
the termination of the definitive agreement for the Inmarsat
Transaction, including in circumstances requiring Viasat to pay a
termination fee; the risk that Viasat’s stock price may decline
significantly if the Inmarsat Transaction is not consummated; the
failure to obtain the necessary debt financing arrangements set
forth in the commitment letters received in connection with the
Inmarsat Transaction; risks that the Inmarsat Transaction disrupts
current plans and operations or diverts management’s attention from
its ongoing business; the effect of the announcement of the
Inmarsat Transaction on the ability of Viasat to retain and hire
key personnel and maintain relationships with its customers,
suppliers and others with whom it does business; the ability of
Viasat to successfully integrate Inmarsat operations, technologies
and employees; the ability to realize anticipated benefits and
synergies of the Inmarsat Transaction, including the expectation of
enhancements to Viasat’s products and services, greater revenue or
growth opportunities, operating efficiencies and cost savings; the
ability to ensure continued performance and market growth of the
combined company’s business; 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; the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on our business, suppliers, consumers, customers,
and employees or the overall economy; our ability to realize the
anticipated benefits of our acquisitions or strategic partnering
arrangements, including the RigNet and EBI acquisitions; our
ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new
technologies, products and services; audits by the U.S. Government;
changes in the global business environment and economic conditions;
delays in approving U.S. Government budgets and cuts in government
defense expenditures; our reliance on U.S. Government contracts,
and on a small number of contracts which account for a significant
percentage of our revenues; reduced demand for products and
services as a result of continued constraints on capital spending
by customers; 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; introduction of new technologies and other
factors affecting the communications and defense industries
generally; the effect of adverse regulatory changes (including
changes affecting spectrum availability or permitted uses) on our
ability to sell or deploy our products and services; changes in the
way others use spectrum; our inability to access additional
spectrum, use spectrum
2
for additional purposes, and/or operate satellites at additional
orbital locations; competing uses of the same spectrum or orbital
locations that we utilize or seek to utilize; the effect of recent
changes to U.S. tax laws; our level of indebtedness and ability to
comply with applicable debt covenants; our involvement in
litigation, including intellectual property claims and litigation
to protect our proprietary technology; our dependence on a limited
number of key employees; and other factors identified under the
heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this report, elsewhere
in this report and our other filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC). Therefore, actual results may differ
materially and adversely from those expressed in any
forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or
update any forward-looking statements for any reason.
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
Corporate Information
We were incorporated in California in 1986 under the name Viasat,
Inc., and subsequently reincorporated in Delaware in 1996. The
mailing address of our worldwide headquarters is 6155 El Camino
Real, Carlsbad, California 92009, and our telephone number at that
location is (760) 476-2200. Our website address is
www.viasat.com.
The information on our website does not constitute part of this
report.
Company Overview
We are an innovator in communications technologies and services,
focused on making connectivity accessible, available and secure for
all. Our end-to-end platform of high-capacity Ka-band satellites,
ground infrastructure and user terminals enables us to provide
cost-effective, high-speed, high-quality broadband solutions to
enterprises, consumers, military and government users around the
globe, whether on the ground, in the air or at sea. In addition,
our government business includes a market-leading portfolio of
military tactical data link systems, satellite communication
products and services, and cybersecurity and information assurance
products and services. We believe that our diversification
strategy—anchored in a broad portfolio of products and services—our
vertical integration approach and our ability to effectively
cross-deploy technologies between government and commercial
applications and segments as well as across different geographic
markets, provide us with a strong foundation to sustain and enhance
our leadership in advanced communications and networking
technologies. We conduct our business through three segments:
satellite services, commercial networks and government
systems.
Inmarsat Acquisition
On November 8, 2021, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement
(the Purchase Agreement) to combine with Connect Topco Limited, a
private company limited by shares and incorporated in Guernsey
(Inmarsat), with the shareholders of Inmarsat and certain
management and employees who hold options and shares of a
subsidiary of Inmarsat whose options and shares will be exchanged
for shares of Inmarsat prior to closing (collectively, the
Sellers). Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we will purchase all
of the issued and outstanding shares of Inmarsat from the Sellers
upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein (the
Inmarsat Transaction). The total consideration payable by us under
the Purchase Agreement consists of $850.0 million in cash, subject
to adjustments (such as the dividend paid by Inmarsat in April
2022, see below), and approximately 46.36 million unregistered
shares of our common stock. On April 6, 2022, Inmarsat paid a
dividend of $299.3 million to the Sellers, resulting in a $299.3
million reduction in the cash consideration payable by us at the
closing of the Inmarsat Transaction. Our board of directors has
unanimously approved the Purchase Agreement and the proposed
Inmarsat Transaction.
The closing of the Inmarsat Transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and
clearances, and approval by our stockholders of the issuance of
shares in the Inmarsat Transaction and an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of
our common stock authorized for issuance. The Purchase Agreement
contains certain termination rights for both us and certain of the
Sellers and further provides that, upon termination of the Purchase
Agreement under certain circumstances, we may be obligated to pay a
termination fee of up to $200.0 million or to reimburse certain
out-of-pocket expenses of certain Sellers up to $40.0
million.
We have obtained financing commitments for an additional $1.6
billion of new debt facilities in connection with the Inmarsat
Transaction (which may be secured and/or unsecured), which amount
excludes the commitments that were obtained with respect to the
$700.0 million term loan facility that we entered into on March 4,
2022 to fund our standalone growth expenditures (the Term Loan
Facility). In light of the $299.3 million reduction in the cash
purchase price payable in the Inmarsat Transaction, we currently
expect to incur $1.3 billion of additional indebtedness under these
commitments. However, the total amount of indebtedness incurred
under these commitments may change, including in the event that
available cash from other sources is higher than expected. We also
plan to assume $2.1 billion in principal amount of Inmarsat senior
secured bonds and the outstanding indebtedness under Inmarsat’s
$2.4 billion senior secured credit
3
facilities. In addition, we obtained commitments of $3.2 billion to
backstop certain amendments required under our revolving credit
facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and our direct loan
facility with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the
Ex-Im Credit Facility and, together with the Term Loan Facility and
the Revolving Credit Facility, the Credit Facilities) and
Inmarsat’s $2.4 billion senior secured credit facilities, which
amendments had been obtained under the Revolving Credit Facility
and Inmarsat’s $2.4 billion senior secured credit facilities as of
the date of this report.
Other Acquisitions
On April 30, 2021, we completed our acquisition of the remaining
51% interest in EBI, a satellite broadband internet service
provider in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), from Eutelsat.
We paid approximately $167.0 million in cash, net of what is
currently estimated to be an immaterial amount of estimated
purchase price consideration (net of approximately $121.7 million
of EBI’s cash on hand, resulting in a cash outlay of approximately
$51.0 million).
On April 30, 2021, we completed our acquisition of RigNet, a
leading provider of ultra-secure, intelligent networking solutions
and specialized applications. In connection with the acquisition,
we issued approximately 4.0 million shares of our common stock to
RigNet former shareholders, paid down $107.3 million of outstanding
borrowings of RigNet’s revolving credit facility, and retained
approximately $20.6 million of RigNet’s cash on hand.
The assets and results of operations of EBI and RigNet are
primarily included in our satellite services segment, with
insignificant amounts included in our commercial networks
segment.
Segments
Satellite Services
Our satellite services segment uses our proprietary technology
platform to provide satellite-based high-speed broadband services
around the globe for use in commercial applications.
Our proprietary Ka-band satellites are at the core of our
technology platform, and we also have access to a number of Ka-band
and Ku-band satellites in service globally. We own four Ka-band
satellites in service — three over North America (our
second-generation ViaSat-2 satellite (launched in 2017), our
first-generation ViaSat-1 satellite (launched in 2011) and the
WildBlue-1 satellite (launched in 2007)), and the KA-SAT satellite
(launched in 2010) over EMEA. In addition, we have lifetime leases
of Ka-band capacity on two satellites. We are also planning to
launch a global constellation of three third-generation ViaSat-3
class satellites currently under construction. We expect our
ViaSat-3 constellation, once in service, to provide approximately
eight times the capacity of the ViaSat-1 and ViaSat-2 satellites
combined and to enable us to deliver affordable connectivity across
most of the world.
The primary services offered by our satellite services segment are
comprised of:
•
Fixed Broadband Services,
which provide consumers and businesses with high-speed,
high-quality broadband internet access and Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP) services, primarily in the United States as well as
in various countries in Europe and Latin America. Our service
offerings include premium data plans with download speeds of up to
100 Mbps in select areas in the United States. We also offer
wholesale and retail fixed broadband services to our distribution
partners.
•
In-Flight Services,
which provide industry-leading IFC, wireless in-flight
entertainment (W-IFE) and aviation software services to commercial
airlines and private business jets. The data capacity of our IFC
systems enables all passengers and crew to receive in-flight
internet service in the air similar to the internet service
available on the ground, supporting applications such as high-speed
web browsing, streaming and social media applications. Our W-IFE
service is a cloud-based platform providing passengers with access
to a wide range of premium entertainment, video and information
services maintained on an onboard server and wirelessly delivered
direct to passengers’ own devices. As of March 31, 2022, our IFC
systems were installed and in service on approximately 1,910
commercial aircraft, of which, due to impacts of the COVID-19
pandemic, approximately 80 were inactive at fiscal year end. We
anticipate that approximately 970 additional commercial aircraft
under existing customer agreements with commercial airlines will be
put into service with our IFC systems. However, the timing of
installation and entry into service for additional aircraft under
existing customer agreements may be delayed due to COVID-19
impacts. Additionally, due to the nature of commercial
4
airline contracts, there can be no assurance that anticipated IFC
services will be activated on all such additional commercial
aircraft.
•
Prepaid Internet Services,
which offer innovative, affordable, satellite-based connectivity in
communities that have little or no access to the internet. The
services help foster digital inclusion by enabling millions of
people to connect to affordable high-quality internet services via
a centralized community hotspot connected to the internet via
satellite. We provide Prepaid Internet services in multiple regions
in Mexico and Brazil and are trialing services in advance of full
service launch in various other countries in South America and
Central America.
•
Other Mobile Broadband Services,
which include high-speed, satellite-based internet services to
seagoing vessels, such as energy offshore vessels, cruise ships,
consumer ferries and yachts. In addition, we offer L-band managed
services enabling real-time machine-to-machine (M2M) position
tracking, management of remote assets and operations and visibility
into critical areas of the supply chain. Our high-performance M2M
terminals are used for a broad range of applications including
emergency response, oil and gas pipeline monitoring, mobile fleet
management and high-value asset tracking.
•
Energy Services,
which include ultra-secure solutions spanning global IP
connectivity, bandwidth-optimized over-the-top applications,
satellite-based managed services across multiple satellite
frequency bands (Ku- and Ka-band), industrial Internet-of-Things
big data enablement and industry-leading machine learning
analytics. These services support the evolution of digital
enablement, and primarily result from our acquisition of RigNet in
April 2021.
Our ViaSat-3 class satellites are our third-generation,
high-capacity Ka-band satellite design and are expected to further
improve the speed, availability and cost-efficiency of our
proprietary Ka-band satellite network. The satellites will have
significantly greater data capacity and geographic coverage than
our second-generation ViaSat-2 satellite. Our third-generation
satellite design has enhanced ability to flexibly and dynamically
allocate capacity by service, time and geography, allowing us to
allocate our satellite capacity to markets where bandwidth usage
demands and returns are highest. The first ViaSat-3 class satellite
is intended to cover the Americas, the second to cover the EMEA
region, and the third to cover the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. We
are continuing to make good progress on our ViaSat-3 constellation
despite delays experienced as a result of the impact of COVID-19 on
supply chains and labor availability challenges since the latter
part of calendar year 2020. The upcoming launch of the ViaSat-3
(Americas) satellite is anticipated to support the commencement of
commercial service on the satellite in the fourth quarter of fiscal
year 2023, based on the current target launch date. The actual
launch date of the satellite will be dependent on the completion of
deliverables by our contract manufacturers, subcontractors and
other third-party service providers, available launch windows and
other variables.
We believe that growth in our satellite services segment will be
driven in the coming years by continued demand for high-speed
broadband services across the globe, driven by continued increases
in the number of internet users, applications and connected
devices. This presents opportunities across a number of Viasat
satellite services businesses, including residential, business
internet and prepaid internet services. Further growth in our
in-flight services business is expected to be driven by the
installation of our IFC systems on additional commercial aircraft
and the expansion of airlines and flight routes covered by the
footprint of our satellite fleet following the launch of our
ViaSat-3 constellation. However, we expect that our anticipated
growth will be partially offset by ramping start-up expenses in new
international and vertical markets and ground network
infrastructure investments associated with the launch of our
ViaSat-3 constellation, and that growth in our U.S. fixed broadband
business will be affected by capacity constraints ahead of the
launch of commercial service of the ViaSat-3 (Americas)
satellite.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced increased demand for
our premium high-speed plans in our fixed broadband services
business, reflecting customers’ increased bandwidth needs in a
remote working/distance schooling environment. However, the
pandemic also caused a severe decline in global air traffic, which
reduced demand for our in-flight services and IFC systems in our
satellite services and commercial networks segments, respectively.
While domestic airline traffic increased during calendar year 2021
(with increased planes in service and passenger volumes), global
airline traffic has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels. We
expect to continue to see some negative impacts on revenues and
operating cash flows from our IFC businesses in fiscal year 2023
and potentially beyond, but for the effects to continue to lessen
over time with increases in passenger air traffic and the return to
service of additional currently inactive aircraft. In fiscal year
2020, prior to the pandemic, less than 10% of our total revenues
were generated by services and products provided to commercial
airlines reported in our satellite services and commercial networks
segments. The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our
business in fiscal year 2023 and potentially beyond will depend on
many factors, including the duration and scope of the public health
emergency, the extent, duration and effectiveness of containment
actions taken, the extent of disruption to important global,
regional and local supply chains
5
and economic markets, and the impact of the pandemic on overall
supply and demand, global air travel, consumer confidence,
discretionary spending levels and levels of economic
activity.
Commercial Networks
We are a leading end-to-end network technology and equipment
supplier in broadband satellite markets. In addition to developing
our own proprietary high-capacity Ka-band satellite systems, our
commercial networks segment develops and sells a wide array of
advanced satellite and wireless products, antenna systems and
terminal solutions that support or enable the provision of
high-speed fixed and mobile broadband services. We design, develop
and produce space system solutions for multiple orbital regimes,
including geostationary (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO) and low
earth orbit (LEO).
Our products, systems and solutions are generally developed through
a combination of customer and discretionary internal research and
development (R&D) funding, and products are often linked
through common underlying technologies, customer applications and
market relationships. For example, products, systems and solutions
developed and sold in our commercial networks segment are often
complementary to those developed and sold to government customers
in our government systems segment, and our portfolio of government
and military offerings in our government systems segment leverages
our technological investments in our commercial networks segment.
Our commercial networks segment also drives growth in our satellite
services segment. For example, the IFC terminals sold and installed
on commercial aircraft and business jets in our commercial networks
segment are then utilized to receive IFC services, driving
recurring revenues in our satellite services segment.
The primary products, systems, solutions and services offered by
our commercial networks segment are comprised of:
•
Mobile Broadband Satellite Communication Systems,
which include systems and products designed for use in aircraft and
seagoing vessels, such as the IFC systems we install on business
and commercial aircraft. These systems and products are designed to
provide high-speed, cost-efficient broadband access to customers
while on the move, and also utilize fixed broadband satellite
infrastructure. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our
mobile broadband satellite communications system business, as
global airline traffic has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic
levels.
•
Fixed Broadband Satellite Communication Systems,
which include next-generation satellite network infrastructure and
ground terminals designed to enable satellite-based broadband
access for residential, enterprise and Prepaid Internet hotspot
users. Products and solutions in this category include
space-to-earth connectivity systems, ground network infrastructure
and user terminals. We also offer related products and services to
enterprise customers to address bandwidth constraints, latency and
other issues. In addition to commercial sales of these products and
solutions, we also deploy our fixed broadband satellite
communication systems to support our own fleet of proprietary
Ka-band satellites.
•
Antenna Systems,
which include state-of-the-art ground and airborne terminals,
antennas and gateways for terrestrial and satellite customer
applications (such as real-time Earth imaging and remote sensing
services, mobile satellite communication, Ka-band earth stations
and other multi-band antennas).
•
Satellite Networking Development,
which includes specialized design and technology services covering
all aspects of satellite communication system architecture and
technology. Products and services include analysis, design and
development of satellite and ground systems, semiconductor design
for Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) and Monolithic
Microwave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) chips and network function
virtualization, as well as modules and subsystems for various
commercial, military and space uses.
•
Space System Design and Development,
which includes the design and development of high-capacity Ka-band
satellites and the associated satellite payload and antenna
technologies for our own satellite fleet as well as for third
parties. Our space system design and development products and
services include architectures for GEO, MEO and LEO satellites and
other small satellite platforms.
We believe growth in our commercial networks segment will be driven
in the coming years by continued growth in worldwide demand for
mobile and fixed broadband connectivity. As the cost-effectiveness
of satellite technologies to rapidly deploy broadband services
across wide geographic areas and to large numbers of people
continues to increase, we believe demand for the ground networking
equipment and products that enable or support access to
satellite-based broadband services will continue to
grow.
6
Government Systems
We are a leading provider of innovative communications and
cybersecurity products and solutions to the U.S. Government and
other military and government users around the world. Our
government systems segment offers a broad array of products and
services designed to enable the collection and transmission of
secure real-time digital information and communications between
fixed and mobile command centers, intelligence and defense
platforms and individuals in the field. Customers of our government
systems segment include the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), those
serving the Five Eye (FVEY) intelligence alliance (Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States),
allied foreign governments, allied armed forces, public safety
first-responders and remote government employees.
The primary products and services of our government systems segment
include:
•
Government Mobile Broadband Products and
Services,
which provide military and government users with high-speed,
real-time broadband and multimedia connectivity in key regions of
the world, as well as line-of-sight (LOS) and beyond-line-of-sight
(BLOS) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
missions. Our government mobile broadband services include
high-bandwidth global communications services in support of VIP and
senior-level airborne operations and emergency response, as well as
LOS and BLOS ISR missions. Products include mobile broadband
modems, terminals, network access control systems and antenna
systems using a range of satellite frequency bands capable of being
installed and operated on a wide variety of fixed wing, rotary
wing, manned and unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles and maritime
platforms. Services include advanced mobility services to
governments for aircraft and ships, as well as for nomadic and
ground based missions. Our high-capacity, secure mobile broadband
products and services are enabled by our next-generation satellite
network infrastructure, which will be further enhanced following
the launch of our ViaSat-3 constellation.
•
Government Satellite Communication (SATCOM)
Systems,
which offer an array of portable, mobile and fixed broadband
modems, terminals, network access control systems and antenna
systems using a range of satellite frequency bands for Command and
Control (C2) missions, satellite networking services and network
management systems for Wi-Fi and other internet access networks.
Our SATCOM systems, products and services are designed to support
high-throughput broadband data links, to increase available
bandwidth using existing satellite capacity, and to be resilient in
order to withstand certain catastrophic events. Our range of SATCOM
broadband modems, terminals and systems support high-speed
broadband and multimedia transmissions over point-to-point, mesh
and hub-and-spoke satellite networking systems, and include
products designed for manpacks, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs), seagoing vessels, ground-mobile vehicles and fixed
applications.
•
Secure Networking, Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Products
and Services,
which provide advanced, high-speed IP-based “Type 1” and High
Assurance Internet Protocol Encryption (HAIPE®)-compliant
encryption solutions that enable military and government users to
communicate information securely over networks, and that protect
the integrity of data stored on computers and storage devices. Our
encryption products and modules use a programmable, high-assurance
architecture that can be easily upgraded in the field or integrated
into existing communication networks, and are available both on a
stand-alone basis and as embedded modules within our tactical
radio, information distribution and other SATCOM systems and
products.
•
Tactical Data Links,
which comprise advanced tactical radio and information distribution
systems that enable secure voice and real-time collection and
dissemination of video and data using secure, jam-resistant
transmission links. These data links communicate over Link 16 or
tactical VHF/UHF networks, from manned and unmanned aircraft,
ground vehicles, individual warfighters and other remote platforms
to each other and networked communication and command centers. Key
products in this category include our Battlefield Awareness and
Targeting System — Dismounted (BATS-D) handheld Link 16 radios, our
Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System — Embedded (BATS-E)
handheld Link 16 radios, our Small Tactical Terminal (STT)
2-channel radios for manned and unmanned applications, “disposable”
defense data links, and our Multifunctional Information
Distribution System (MIDS) and MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System
(MIDS-JTRS) terminals for military fighter jets.
We believe
the battlefield of the future will require a resilient
communications architecture capable of supporting tomorrow’s
Multi-Domain Command and Control (MDC2), the Internet of
Battlefield Things (IoBT), and high-velocity, data-rich
network-centric operations, enabling secure, reliable and
ubiquitous connectivity while under attack, on the move or at fixed
locations around the globe. These requirements will potentially
provide significant
growth opportunities in our government systems segment in the
coming years, as demand increases for secure, higher-capacity,
higher-quality broadband services, associated ground systems and
advanced cybersecurity protections. Additional growth factors
also
7
reside in an increasing military interest for high-speed broadband
BLOS connectivity, for example over Link 16 networks, supporting
real-time C2 decision-making and enhanced situational awareness
across ground and air applications.
Our Strengths
We believe the following strengths position our business to
capitalize on attractive growth opportunities in our
business:
•
Innovation of Next-Generation Satellite and Space
Technologies.
We have a long history of innovation in next-generation satellite
and space technologies. Our award-winning first-generation,
high-capacity Ka-band spot-beam satellite, ViaSat-1, earned a
Guinness World Records® title in 2013 as the highest-capacity
communications satellite in the world at that time. Our
second-generation ViaSat-2 satellite and its advanced ground
network infrastructure significantly expanded our total data
capacity and geographic reach, and support the flexible allocation
of capacity to meet demand within the satellite’s footprint. By
improving satellite speed, availability and geographic coverage
area, our ViaSat-2 satellite enabled us to provide compelling
premium retail service plans in select markets that can compete
against traditional terrestrial broadband service providers and to
significantly expand our IFC services business. In 2018, ViaSat-2
was selected as a winner in the ‘Space, Platforms’ category of
Aviation Week’s 61st Annual Laureate Awards, honoring extraordinary
achievements in the global aerospace arena. Our third-generation
ViaSat-3 class satellites will offer a new satellite architecture
with miniaturized electronics and more productive and efficient
antenna designs. This new satellite design is expected to
significantly expand the geographic coverage area and data capacity
of each satellite and to further enhance our ability to flexibly
and dynamically allocate capacity to match demand, resulting in
greater speed, availability and cost-efficiency. Furthermore, we
are now working on the design of our next-generation ViaSat-4
satellite system, which is expected to have even greater capacity
with each satellite expected to be able to deliver multiple
Terabits per second—yielding another significant productivity gain
relative to our ViaSat-3 class satellites. We believe our history
since inception of developing proprietary and innovative satellite
technologies spanning spacecraft, ground infrastructure, user
terminals and network design demonstrates that we possess the
expertise and credibility required to serve the evolving technology
needs of our customers whether on the ground, in the air or at
sea.
•
Vertically Integrated End-to-End Platform of Leading Broadband
Technologies.
We believe our innovative ecosystem of high-capacity Ka-band
satellites, ground infrastructure and user terminals provides a
vertically integrated end-to-end platform that creates significant
synergies in our business and uniquely positions us to drive
operational efficiencies and cost-effectively deliver a diverse
portfolio of high-speed, high-quality broadband solutions and
applications to enterprises, consumers, military and government
users. Our product, system and service offerings are often linked
through common underlying technologies, customer applications and
market relationships. We believe that our comprehensive and
vertically integrated portfolio of satellites, products and
services, combined with our ability to effectively cross-deploy
technologies between government and commercial segments and across
different geographic markets, provides us with a strong foundation
to sustain and enhance our leadership in broadband technologies and
services.
•
Diversification of Business Model.
Our business is highly diversified. Our fixed broadband services
range from premium residential services at high data speeds to
Prepaid Internet services designed to provide affordable internet
access via satellite-powered centralized community hotspots in
countries with significant unserved or underserved populations. Our
IFC systems and services support high-speed broadband services for
commercial, private and military aircraft around the globe. In
addition, we offer software that combines cutting-edge artificial
intelligence and machine learning to help customers digitally
transform data into actionable results. We also sell complex
satellite communication systems and products to communications
service providers, enterprises and government users, and in our
government systems segment we offer a portfolio of military
tactical data link, cybersecurity and information assurance
products and services. This diversification in product and service
offerings, customer base and market segment helps to reduce our
exposure to fluctuations in any of the individual markets we serve
and to provide resilience in our business performance in times of
economic or political disruption. For example, during fiscal year
2021, revenue impacts to our commercial aviation business in our
satellite services and commercial networks segments resulting from
the global disruption in the airline industry caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic were offset by strong demand in our fixed
broadband services business and other parts of our
business.
•
Broad Array of Broadband Service Offerings, Tailored to Market
Demand.
Our proprietary Ka-band satellite network provides the platform for
us to provide a broad array of satellite-based high-quality,
high-speed broadband services with multiple applications. Our
offerings include fixed broadband services to residential and
enterprise customers, market-leading mobility services to aircraft
utilizing our IFC systems, and Prepaid Internet services that
provide affordable and reliable high-speed connectivity via
satellite-powered centralized community hotspots in unserved and
underserved areas. In the U.S. residential broadband market,
our
8
ViaSat-2 satellite supports retail service plans offering data
capacity in select markets of up to 100 Mbps. We expect our
ViaSat-3 satellites to support a wide array of premium service
offerings in more geographic areas. Our IFC services enable
connectivity services to be provided to more passengers and crew on
more flights, across commercial and business aircraft, and the
ability to leverage high-capacity internet services such as
streaming video. Our IFC services have received numerous awards and
accolades, including the 2022 APEX Passenger Choice Award Winner
for Best Wi-Fi (for our services on Delta Air Lines), 2019 APEX
Global Passenger Choice Award Winner and 2018 APEX Regional
Passenger Choice Award Winner for Best Wi-Fi (for our services on
JetBlue). These awards were tallied from passenger-submitted data,
showcasing the power of the Viasat internet platform to deliver
exceptional IFC services. In 2015, Viasat’s IFC systems received
the Crystal Cabin Award for the best Passenger Comfort System, the
Excellence in Avionics Award for In-Flight Connectivity Innovation
and the Via Satellite Excellence Award for Vertical Impact. The
flexibility, high data throughput and broad geographic coverage
area of our ViaSat-2 and our even more powerful ViaSat-3 class
satellites (once in service), combined with our ability to
dynamically allocate capacity based on demand, enable us to support
a wide range of high-speed broadband services addressing multiple
markets, provide innovative new services creating new market
opportunities, tailor our service offerings to market needs, and
compete more effectively in the markets we serve.
•
Diverse Portfolio of Market-Leading Military and Government
Offerings.
We are a leading provider of innovative communications,
cybersecurity and information assurance products and solutions to
the U.S. Government and other military and government users around
the world. These products and services enable the transmission of
secure real-time digital information and communications between
fixed and mobile command centers, intelligence and defense
platforms and individuals. Our portfolio of government and military
offerings leverages our technological investments in our commercial
business, and includes tactical data links, small satellite
development, fixed and mobile satellite broadband systems and
services, cybersecurity and information assurance products and
services. Total new awards in our government systems segment grew
from $460.9 million in fiscal year 2011 to $1.0 billion in fiscal
year 2022, despite an uneven defense spending environment,
reflecting the high demand for our diverse portfolio of products
and services for military and government users. Our tactical data
link products include our market-leading BATS-D AN/PRC-161 handheld
Link 16 radios and STT KOR-24A 2-channel radios, which bridge the
gap between air and ground forces by providing secure, reliable
access to integrated air and ground data for improved situational
awareness capabilities and support communications, and are capable
of advanced concurrent multiple reception capabilities to enhance
communications and reduce network congestion. Our small satellite
development work is market leading and is designed to enable a new
tactical space layer for our government customers, enabling
increasingly advanced precision operations and maneuvering. For
example, we are working with the Air Force Research Laboratory
(AFRL) Space Vehicles XVI program to deliver and test the
first-ever Link 16-capable LEO spacecraft. Our mobile satellite
broadband offerings leverage our innovative satellite technologies
and proprietary Ka-band satellite platform, allowing us to provide
high-speed, high-quality internet services to government and
military aircraft, ships and land vehicles. In September 2018, we
were awarded an eight-year, firm fixed-price contract to provide
in-flight broadband and connectivity services to U.S. Government
Senior Leader and VIP aircraft. Our secure networking products and
services include a broad portfolio of advanced, high-speed Type 1
encryption solutions that are capable of operating at speeds of up
to 100 Gbps, as well as advanced cybersecurity products to secure
information transmitted via the cloud. In February 2021, we
received enhanced cybersecurity accreditation from the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through their Enhanced
Cybersecurity Services (ECS) program. As an accredited ECS
provider, we will receive DHS-provided sensitive and classified
cybersecurity threat indicators and information to defend
U.S.-based public and private computer networks, including state
and local governments, against unauthorized access, exploitation
and data exfiltration.
•
Blue-Chip Customer Base.
Our blue-chip customer base includes customers such as the U.S.
Government, leading aerospace and defense prime contractors, allied
foreign governments, civil agencies, satellite network integrators,
large communications service providers, commercial airlines and
enterprises requiring complex communications and networking
solutions and services. We believe that the credit strength of
these key customers helps support more consistent financial
performance. Moreover, our direct relationships with key customers
such as commercial airlines and the DoD allow us to adapt our
satellite designs and product and service offerings to better meet
their desired outcomes.
9
•
Experienced Management Team and Diversified Board of
Directors.
Our core management team is comprised of seasoned executives with
significant satellite communications, defense and aerospace
experience. For example, our Executive Chairman, Mark Dankberg, has
been with Viasat since its inception in 1986. Mr. Dankberg is
considered to be a leading expert in the field of satellite,
wireless and defense communications. Richard Baldridge, who assumed
the position of Viasat’s President and Chief Executive Officer in
November 2020, has been with Viasat for over 20 years.
During Mr. Baldridge’s tenure, Viasat has grown organically and
through acquisitions by more than a factor of 10.
In addition, over the past several years, we have undertaken a
conscious effort to diversify our Board of Directors, bringing in a
wide variety of skills and experience aligned with our long-term
goals. Our Board is comprised of a diverse range of high-profile
corporate leaders with extensive experience in globalization,
communications, space operations, and technology and business
integration.
Our Strategy
Our business strategy is to maintain our leadership position in
cost-efficient, high-quality satellite-based communications
products and services, focused on making connectivity accessible,
available and secure for all. The principal elements of our
strategy include:
•
Drive Capital Efficiencies
o
Deliver the Most Productive Satellite Systems:
We are hyper-focused on maximizing the useful bandwidth per total
lifetime capital cost of each satellite. We refer to this as
“bandwidth productivity” and see this metric as a key factor in
determining our return on satellite investment for each satellite
we design, develop and build. When measured in terms of bandwidth
productivity, we believe our existing and planned satellite fleet
substantially outperforms other satellite operators and would also
outperform our expectations for the LEO constellations proposed by
new market entrants.
o
Drive Efficiencies of Scale and Operations:
We intend to continue to drive efficiencies in our businesses
through our vertical integration strategy and increasing scale as
we move into new and adjacent geographic, product and service
markets. We optimize our satellite systems through our development
of an end-to-end platform of next-generation Ka-band satellites,
ground networking equipment and user terminals that enable the
provision of a broad array of high-speed broadband services. Our
ViaSat-3 class satellites are expected to further drive scale and
operational efficiencies through their enhanced ability to
efficiently and dynamically match supply and demand through the
flexible allocation of capacity by service, time and geography
within the satellite footprint, as well as through their expected
global geographic reach.
•
Focus on Relentless Execution
o
Maintain Focus on Technology Leadership:
We continue to focus on R&D to bring high-capacity, high-speed
broadband communications to the global market. Our continued
innovation in satellite system product development has been one of
our hallmarks. We intend to maintain our leadership position in
satellite systems, technologies and services, while continuing to
expand our efforts in wireless communications, cloud networking and
security. Our R&D efforts are supported by a global employee
base that includes approximately 3,400 engineers and a culture that
deeply values and supports innovation.
o
Follow Our Path of Proven Performance:
We have an enviable track record for identifying and bringing to
market impactful communications technologies in space systems.
ViaSat-1 was the highest capacity communications satellite at the
time of its launch; ViaSat-2 almost doubled the capacity of
ViaSat-1; and the ViaSat-3 constellation is anticipated to have
approximately eight times more capacity than the capacity of the
ViaSat-1 and ViaSat-2 satellites combined and to enable us to
deliver affordable connectivity across most of the
world.
o
Customer-Centricity Evolution:
We are focused on increasing our customer interactions and have
incorporated new technologies, tools and learnings from artificial
intelligence and machine learning to enhanced customer intimacy
techniques and customer advisory councils. We strive to continue to
improve our ongoing customer engagements through proactive
response, deeper customer insights and enhanced customer exchanges.
This is an ongoing effort that will continue to be an investment
and nurture opportunity for us.
10
•
Continue to Expand into New Markets and Geographies
o
Enter and Disrupt New and Adjacent Markets through Technology
Innovation:
We continue to create or address new and adjacent markets using our
technological advancements to disrupt existing business models and
drive shifts in target markets or user demand. For example, the
technological innovations and power of our proprietary Ka-band
satellite network enabled us to disrupt the IFC business model and
successfully expand our broadband service offerings into the
commercial air market. As the capacity and geographic coverage
areas of our satellite systems continue to increase with each
generation of our high-capacity Ka-band satellite designs, we
expect the addressable markets for our broadband technologies,
products and services to continue to expand. Higher capacity, more
flexible satellites will allow us to offer a broader array of
cost-effective, high-quality broadband services that can be
tailored to different geographic regions and bandwidth usage
demand.
o
Think Beyond Current Customer Requirements to Open New
Markets:
In our government systems business, we actively identify market or
operational needs that are not currently served by existing
communications and encryption products and services, with a view to
developing unique or disruptive products and services and creating
new addressable markets.
In fact, a key component to the continued success of Viasat’s
defense business is its expansive portfolio of non-developmental
items (NDI), which are designed to rapidly deliver cutting-edge
technology solutions well ahead of the traditional government
procurement model. Many of our NDI technologies fall within our
tactical data links systems, such as BATS-D handheld Link 16 radios
and STT KOR-24A 2-channel radios for manned and unmanned
applications.
Our business model delivers advanced capabilities significantly
faster, at lower lifecycle costs and with lower risk to the
customer when compared to traditional defense acquisition programs
and timelines.
o
Target International Expansion.
With the impending launch of our ViaSat-3 constellation, we have
placed tremendous effort on growing our operations,
sales/distribution, customer/partner base and regulatory framework
globally. We continue to believe that international markets provide
attractive opportunities for the long-term growth of our business.
As worldwide demand for broadband connectivity continues to grow,
we expect that our comprehensive offering of next-generation
Ka-band satellites, advanced end-to-end communication systems and
ground networking equipment and products, and their ability to
enable a wide range of cost-effective, high-speed, high-quality
broadband services, will be increasingly attractive
internationally. Our ViaSat-2 satellite significantly expanded the
geographic coverage area of our broadband services over North and
Central America and the primary aeronautical and maritime routes
across the Atlantic Ocean, allowing us to bring high-value
in-flight services to many more commercial, business and government
aircraft within the expanded satellite footprint and launch new,
innovative ground-based services in new markets, such as our
Prepaid Internet services using satellite-powered community
hotspots. Ahead of the ViaSat-3 constellation launch, we have
leveraged third-party partner satellites (such as Telebras in
Brazil, Avanti in EMEA, nbn in Australia and China Satcom in China)
to create a runway for Viasat to begin offering and trialing
service plans internationally as well as build brand presence and
name recognition. We have also undertaken a thoughtful approach to
mergers and acquisitions to drive international expansion. For
example, in the Inmarsat Transaction, Inmarsat’s existing satellite
fleet would provide global coverage (including strong oceanic
coverage and polar reach) and greater redundancy and resiliency for
the combined company versus Viasat on a standalone basis. The
acquisition of the remaining interest in EBI is expected to enable
us to expand more effectively and rapidly in the EMEA region. Our
recent acquisition of RigNet also positions us to further expand
into new global markets, as RigNet has customers and operations
globally. Finally, we expect our ViaSat-3 and ViaSat-4 global
constellations will be enablers for the scalable, long-term global
expansion of our business, providing the platform for us to deliver
high-quality and affordable broadband connectivity worldwide.
Demand profile differs by geographic market, reflecting geographic,
economic, political, regulatory and other factors. However, the
flexibility, high data capacity and broad geographic coverage area
of our second- and third-generation proprietary Ka-band satellites
allow us to tailor our service offerings for the opportunities and
needs of different geographic markets.
11
•
Prioritize the End-User
o
Recognize Broadband Connectivity is a Means to an End, not an End
in Itself.
The value of a broadband network is in the applications it enables.
With this understanding, we have worked closely with leading edge
and content providers (including companies such as Apple, Facebook,
fuboTV and the NBA, among others) to enhance end-users’ experiences
with their online and streaming media services over our network,
helping them leverage the potential of making affordable broadband
available in places where it has never been. We also work with U.S.
Government agencies, major airlines and others on multiple
continents to help ensure end-users have great — and affordable —
broadband experiences on our network. Our ViaSat-3 constellation
will help meet increasing end-user demand and the need for global
reach. In addition, we work with various international governments
to help bring digital and social inclusion to their constituents
through efficient satellite-enabled services such as our Prepaid
Internet hotspots. By making broadband connectivity accessible to
millions of people living in regions where traditional terrestrial
and wireless internet services were either non-existent or cost
prohibitive, we have been able to help generate positive
socio-economic impacts — in education, e-commerce, finance,
healthcare and more — at lower bandwidth costs.
•
Manage for the Long Term
o
Pursue Growth Through Strategic Alliances, Partnering Arrangements
and Relationships.
We actively seek strategic relationships and joint ventures with
companies whose financial, marketing, operational or technological
resources can accelerate the introduction of new technologies,
service offerings and/or the penetration of new markets. For
example, we have entered into strategic agreements in Brazil,
Guatemala, Mexico and Peru with local partners to bring high-speed,
affordable internet to unserved and underserved communities, which
allows us to gain market insights and build brand awareness in
advance of when our ViaSat-3 constellation will provide additional
capacity to the region. In our government systems segment, we also
regularly enter into teaming arrangements with other government
contractors to more effectively capture complex government
programs. We may continue to evaluate acquisitions of, or
investments in, complementary companies, businesses, products or
technologies to supplement our internal growth.
o
Encourage Safe Sustainable Access to Space.
We strive to be a leader in bringing benefits of space technology
to the world in a sustainable, responsible and inclusive way. We
are focused on cooperating with a broad range of responsible
nations and global partners to ensure safe, responsible and
equitable access to space for all.
Our Customers
Our customer base is highly diversified. Customers of our satellite
services segment reflect the diversity in our broadband service
offerings and include residential customers, small and medium-sized
businesses, enterprise customers, commercial airlines and Prepaid
Internet hotspot users. Customers of our fixed broadband services
are obtained through either our direct or partner distribution
channels. The customers of our government systems and commercial
networks segments include the DoD, the U.S. National Security
Agency, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, FVEY and other allied foreign governments and militaries,
select other U.S. federal, state and local government agencies,
commercial and defense contractors, satellite network integrators,
large communications service providers and enterprises requiring
complex communications and networking solutions. We enter into
government contracts either directly with U.S. or foreign
governments, or indirectly through domestic or international
partners or resellers. In our commercial networks segment, we also
act as both a prime contractor and subcontractor for the sale of
equipment and services.
Revenues from the U.S. Government as an individual customer
comprised approximately 25%, 30% and 30% of total revenues for
fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. None of our other
customers comprised 10% or more of total revenues in fiscal years
2022, 2021 and 2020.
U.S. Government Contracts
Substantial portions of our revenues are generated from contracts
and subcontracts with the DoD and other federal government
agencies. Many of our contracts are subject to a competitive bid
process and are awarded on the basis of technical merit, personnel
qualifications, experience and price. We also receive some contract
awards involving special technical capabilities on a negotiated,
noncompetitive basis due to our unique mix of communication
products, satellite services, engineering capabilities and
technical expertise in specialized areas. The Federal Acquisition
Streamlining Act of 1994 has encouraged the use of commercial type
pricing, such as firm fixed-price contracts, on dual use products.
Our future revenues and income could be materially affected by
changes in government procurement policies and related
12
oversight, a reduction in expenditures for the products and
services we provide, and other risks generally associated with
federal government contracts.
We provide products under federal government contracts that usually
require performance over a period of several months to multiple
years. Long-term contracts may be conditioned upon continued
availability of congressional appropriations. Variances between
anticipated budget and congressional appropriations may result in a
delay, reduction or termination of these contracts.
Our federal government contracts are performed under
cost-reimbursement contracts, time-and-materials contracts and
fixed-price contracts. Cost-reimbursement contracts provide for
reimbursement of costs and payment of a fee. The fee may be either
fixed by the contract or variable, based upon cost control,
quality, delivery and the customer’s subjective evaluation of the
work. Under time-and-materials contracts, we receive a fixed amount
by labor category for services performed and are reimbursed for the
cost of materials purchased to perform the contract. Under a
fixed-price contract, we agree to perform specific work, which may
include product R&D, for a fixed price and, accordingly,
realize the benefit or detriment to the extent that the actual cost
of performing the work differs from the contract price. In fiscal
year 2022, approximately 11% of our total government revenues were
generated from cost-reimbursement contracts with the federal
government or our prime contractors, less than 1% from
time-and-materials contracts and approximately 89% from fixed-price
contracts.
Our allowable federal government contract costs and fees are
subject to audit and review by the Defense Contracting Management
Agency (DCMA) and the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), as
discussed below under “— Regulatory Environment — Other
Regulations.”
Our federal government contracts may be terminated, in whole or in
part, at the convenience of the U.S. Government. If a termination
for convenience occurs, the U.S. Government generally is obligated
to pay for work completed or services rendered and/or the cost
incurred by us under the contract, which may include a fee or
allowance for profit. Contracts with prime contractors may have
negotiated termination schedules that apply. When we participate as
a subcontractor, we are at risk if the prime contractor does not
perform its contract. Similarly, when we act as a prime contractor
employing subcontractors, we are at risk if a subcontractor does
not perform its subcontract.
Some of our federal government contracts contain options that are
exercisable at the discretion of the customer. An option may extend
the period of performance for one or more years for additional
consideration on terms and conditions similar to those contained in
the original contract. An option may also increase the level of
effort and assign new tasks to us.
Our eligibility to perform under our federal government contracts
requires us to maintain adequate security measures. We have
implemented security procedures that we believe adequately satisfy
the requirements of our federal government contracts.
Research and Development
The industries in which we compete are subject to rapid
technological developments, evolving standards, changes in customer
requirements and continuing developments in the communications and
networking environment. Our continuing ability to adapt to these
changes, and to develop innovative satellite and communications
technologies, and new and enhanced products and services, is a
significant factor in maintaining or improving our competitive
position and our prospects for growth. Therefore, we continue to
make significant investments in next-generation satellite
technologies and communications product and services
development.
We conduct the majority of our R&D activities in-house and have
R&D and engineering staff, which includes approximately 3,400
engineers worldwide. Our product development activities focus on
products that we consider viable revenue opportunities to support
all of our segments. We incurred $153.2 million, $115.8 million and
$130.4 million during fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020,
respectively, on independent research and development (IR&D)
expenses, which comprise R&D not directly funded by a third
party. Funded R&D contains a profit component and is therefore
not directly comparable to IR&D. As a U.S. Government
contractor, we also are able to recover a portion of our IR&D
expenses, consisting primarily of salaries and other
personnel-related expenses, supplies and prototype materials
related to R&D programs.
Intellectual Property
We seek to establish and maintain our proprietary rights in our
technology and products through a combination of patents,
copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and contractual rights. We
also seek to maintain our trade secrets and confidential
information through nondisclosure policies, the use of appropriate
confidentiality agreements and other security measures. We have
registered a number of patents and trademarks in the United States
and in other countries
13
and have a substantial number of patent filings pending
determination. There can be no assurance, however, that these
rights can be successfully enforced against competitive products in
any particular jurisdiction. Although we believe the protection
afforded by our patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and
contracts has value, the rapidly changing technology in the
networking, satellite and wireless communications industries and
uncertainties in the legal process make our future success
dependent primarily on the innovative skills, technological
expertise and management abilities of our employees rather than on
the protections afforded by patent, copyright, trademark and trade
secret laws and contractual rights. Accordingly, while these legal
protections are important, they must be supported by other factors
such as the expanding knowledge, ability and experience of our
personnel, and the continued development of new products and
product enhancements.
Certain of our products include software or other intellectual
property licensed from third parties. While it may be necessary in
the future to seek or renew licenses relating to various aspects of
our products, we believe, based upon past experience and standard
industry practice, that such licenses generally could be obtained
on commercially reasonable terms. Nonetheless, there can be no
assurance that the necessary licenses would be available on
acceptable terms, if at all. Our inability to obtain these licenses
or other rights or to obtain such licenses or rights on favorable
terms, or the need to engage in litigation regarding these matters,
could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating
results and financial condition.
The industry in which we compete is characterized by rapidly
changing technology, a large number of patents, and frequent claims
and related litigation regarding patent and other intellectual
property rights. We cannot assure you that our patents and other
proprietary rights will not be challenged, invalidated or
circumvented, that others will not assert intellectual property
rights to technologies that are relevant to us, or that our rights
will give us a competitive advantage. In addition, the laws of some
foreign countries may not protect our proprietary rights to the
same extent as the laws of the United States.
Sales and Marketing
We have a sales presence in various domestic and international
locations, and we sell our products and services both directly and
indirectly through partners, as described below:
•
Satellite Services Sales Organization.
Our satellite services sales organization for our broadband
internet services sells through both direct and indirect channels.
Our residential fixed broadband services are primarily sold
directly to customers through our Viasat Internet website, sales
call centers and active retail dealers. We utilize extensive dealer
networks across the United States, as well as in each country where
residential fixed broadband services are offered. Our Prepaid
Internet services are sold through local distribution partnerships.
Our business internet offerings are sold through a mix of direct
sales personnel who work with enterprises and a network of
enterprise-focused master agents and wholesale distribution
partners. Our commercial aviation offerings are sold direct to
airlines, and our business aviation offerings are sold through
direct sales and business development personnel as well as through
aviation-focused value-added resellers. Our maritime service
offerings are sold through direct and indirect value-added reseller
partners targeting a variety of maritime commercial prospects. In
each case, our focus is to identify business opportunities and
develop solutions for the unique needs of each customer
segment.
•
Commercial Networks Sales Organization.
Our commercial networks sales organization consists of sales
managers and sales engineers, who act as the primary interface to
establish account relationships and determine technical
requirements for customer networks. In addition to our sales force,
we maintain a highly-trained service staff to provide technical
product and service support to our customers. The sales cycle in
the commercial network market is often lengthy and it is not
unusual for a sale to take up to 18 months from the initial contact
through the execution of the agreement. The sales process often
includes several network design iterations, network demonstrations
and pilot networks consisting of a few sites.
•
Government Systems Sales Organization.
Our government systems sales organization consists of both direct
sales personnel who sell our standard products and services, and
business development personnel who work with engineers, program
managers, marketing managers and contract managers to identify
business opportunities, develop customer relationships, develop
solutions for customers’ needs, prepare proposals and negotiate
contractual arrangements. The period of time from initial contact
through the point of product sale and delivery can take over three
years for more complex product developments. Products already in
production can usually be delivered to a customer between 90 to 180
days from the point of product sale.
•
Strategic Partners.
To augment our direct sales efforts, we seek to develop key
strategic relationships to market and sell our products and
services. We direct our sales and marketing efforts to our
strategic partners, primarily through our senior management
relationships. In some cases a strategic ally may be the prime
contractor for a system or network installation and will
subcontract a portion of the project to us. In other
cases,
14
the strategic ally may recommend us as the prime contractor for the
design and integration of the network. We seek strategic
relationships and partners based on many factors, including
financial resources, technical capability, geographic location and
market presence.
Our marketing team works closely with our corporate and segment
leadership, customer account executives, and business development,
sales and operations organizations to increase the awareness of the
Viasat brand through a mix of positive program performance, agile,
results-oriented multichannel marketing campaigns that reflect new
and evolving customer journeys, public relations, paid media, live
and virtual trade show participation and conference speaking
engagements that keep the market current on our services, products
and features. Viasat products and services, both in the U.S. and
internationally, are typically sold under one unified master global
brand, using a single logo and visual identity system. Our
marketing team also identifies and sizes new and adjacent target
markets for our products and services, creates awareness of our
company and our portfolio of offerings, and generates contacts and
leads within these targeted markets.
Competition
The markets in which we compete are characterized by rapid change,
converging technologies and a migration to solutions that offer
higher capacity and speed and other superior advantages. These
market factors represent both an opportunity and a competitive
threat to us. In many cases our competitors can also be our
customers or partners. Accordingly, maintaining an open and
cooperative relationship is important. The overall number of our
competitors may increase, and the identity and composition of
competitors may change. As we continue to expand our business
globally, we may see new competition in different geographic
regions.
To compete, we emphasize:
•
the high-speed, high-quality and broad geographic availability of
our broadband services;
•
our deep understanding of our customers’ unique expectations and
requirements;
•
our proven designs and network integration services for complex,
customized network needs;
•
our demonstrated performance in uniquely challenging
environments;
•
the increased bandwidth efficiency offered by our networks,
products and services;
•
our advanced security and information assurance
capabilities;
•
the innovative and flexible features integrated into our products
and services;
•
our network management experience;
•
our end-to-end network implementation capabilities;
•
the distinct advantages of satellite data networks;
•
the technical advantages and advanced features of our antenna
systems as compared to our competitors’ offerings; and
•
the overall cost-effectiveness of our communications systems,
products and services.
While we believe we compete successfully on each of these factors,
we expect to continue to face intense competition in each of our
markets.
In our satellite services segment, we face competition for fixed
broadband services both from existing competitors and emerging
technologies. Our fixed broadband service offerings compete with
broadband service offerings from wireline and wireless
telecommunications companies, including cable companies, fiber and
DSL companies, satellite companies and fixed wireless companies.
Many of our competitors are larger than us, have substantial
capital resources, have greater brand recognition, have access to
spectrum or technologies not available to us, or are able to offer
bundled service offerings that we are not able to duplicate, all of
which may reduce demand for our broadband services. This has in
part driven our strategic focus on suburban and rural geographies
outside of the cable and fiber competitive footprint. New entrants,
some with significant financial resources and new emerging
technologies (including terrestrial and space-based networks, such
as LEO and MEO constellations) also compete with our broadband
service offerings. Additionally, wireless telecommunications
carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are currently
offering unlimited wireless data plans and fixed wireless services
that could attract our existing and future fixed broadband
subscribers. Our IFC and W-IFE service offerings compete against
air-to-ground mobile services and other satellite-based services,
such as the services offered by Anuvu (formerly Global Eagle),
Gogo, Inmarsat, Intelsat, SES, SpaceX, Thales Group, SmartSky,
Iridium and Panasonic Avionics Corporation, among
others.
15
In our commercial networks segment, we compete with numerous other
providers of satellite and terrestrial communications systems,
products and equipment, including: CPI Antenna Systems Division,
Comtech, EchoStar (Hughes Network Systems), General Dynamics,
Gilat, iDirect Technologies, Newtec, L3Harris, Panasonic Avionics
Corporation, Safran Aerosystems, Space Systems/Loral (SS/L)
(MAXAR), SpaceX and Thales Group. In addition, some of our
customers continuously evaluate whether to develop and manufacture
their own products and could elect to compete with us at any
time.
Within our government systems segment, we generally compete with
government communications service providers and manufacturers of
defense electronics products, systems or subsystems, such as BAE
Systems, Collins Aerospace, General Dynamics, Inmarsat, Intelsat,
Iridium, Eutelsat, OneWeb, SES, SpaceX, Telesat, L3Harris, EchoStar
(Hughes Network Systems) and similar companies. We may also compete
directly with the largest defense prime contractors, including
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Technologies
Corporation. In many cases we partner with our competitors, and
therefore maintaining an open and cooperative relationship is
important.
Many of our competitors have significant competitive advantages,
including strong customer relationships, more experience with
regulatory compliance, greater financial and management resources
and access to technologies not available to us. Many of our
competitors are also substantially larger than we are and may have
more extensive engineering, manufacturing and marketing
capabilities than we do. As a result, these competitors may be able
to adapt more quickly to changing technology or market conditions
or may be able to devote greater resources to the development,
promotion and sale of their products.
Manufacturing
Our manufacturing objective is to produce high-quality products
that conform to specifications at the lowest possible manufacturing
cost. To achieve this objective, we primarily utilize a range of
contract manufacturers that are selected based on the production
volumes and complexity of the product. By employing contract
manufacturers, we are able to reduce the costs of products and
support rapid fluctuations in delivery rates when needed. As part
of our manufacturing process, we conduct extensive testing and
quality control procedures for all products before they are
delivered to customers.
Contract manufacturers produce products for many different
customers and are able to pass on the benefits of large-scale
manufacturing to their customers. These manufacturers are able to
produce high quality products at lower costs by: (1) exercising
their high-volume purchasing power, (2) employing advanced and
efficient production equipment and capital intensive systems whose
costs are leveraged across their broad customer base, and (3) using
a cost-effective skilled workforce. Our primary contract
manufacturers include Benchmark, IEC Electronics Corporation,
L3Harris, Microelectronics Technology, Plexus, Regal Technology
Partners and Sanmina.
Our experienced management team facilitates an efficient contract
manufacturing process through the development of strong
relationships with a number of different domestic and off-shore
contract manufacturers. By negotiating beneficial contract
provisions and purchasing some of the equipment needed to
manufacture our products, we retain the ability to move the
production of our products from one contract manufacturing source
to another if required. Our operations management has experience in
the successful transition from in-house production to contract
manufacturing. The degree to which we employ contract manufacturing
depends on the maturity of the product and the forecasted
production life cycle. We intend to limit our internal
manufacturing capacity to supporting new product development
activities, building customized products that need to be
manufactured in strict accordance with a customer’s specifications
or delivery schedules, and building proprietary, highly sensitive
Viasat-designed products and components for use in our proprietary
technology platform. Therefore, our internal manufacturing
capability for standard products has been, and is expected to
continue to be, very limited and we intend to continue to rely on
contract manufacturers for large-scale manufacturing. Our internal
manufacturing capability is dependent on the availability of
essential materials, parts and subassemblies from our suppliers and
subcontractors. We use numerous sources for the wide array of raw
materials required for our operations and our products, such as
electronic components, printed circuit boards, metals and plastics.
Although alternative sources generally exist for these raw
materials, qualification of the sources could take a year or more.
We also rely on outside vendors to manufacture specific components
and subassemblies used in the production of our products. Some
components, subassemblies, and services necessary for the
manufacture of our products are obtained from a sole source
supplier or a limited group of suppliers.
16
Regulatory Environment
We are required to comply with the laws and regulations of, and
often obtain approvals from, national and local authorities in
connection with the services that we provide. In particular, we
provide a number of services that rely on the use of
radio-frequency spectrum, and the provision of such services is
highly regulated. National authorities generally require that the
satellites they authorize be operated in a manner consistent with
the regulations and procedures of the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United
Nations, which require the coordination of the operation of
satellite systems in certain circumstances, and more generally are
intended to avoid the occurrence of harmful interference among
different users of the radio spectrum.
We also produce a variety of communications systems and networking
equipment, the design, manufacture, and marketing of which are
subject to the laws and regulations of the jurisdictions in which
we sell such equipment. We are subject to export control laws and
regulations, and trade and economic sanctions laws and regulations,
with respect to the export of such systems and equipment. As a
government contractor, we are subject to U.S. procurement laws and
regulations.
Radio-frequency and Communications Regulation
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The orbital location and frequencies for our satellites are subject
to the ITU’s regulations, including its frequency registration and
coordination procedures, and its various provisions on spectrum
usage. Those procedures are specified in the ITU Radio Regulations
and seek to facilitate shared international use of limited spectrum
and orbital resources in a manner that avoids harmful interference.
Among other things, the ITU regulations set forth procedures for
establishing international priority with respect to the use of such
resources, deadlines for bringing satellite networks into use in
order to maintain such priority, and coordination rights and
obligations with respect to other networks, which vary depending on
whether such networks have higher or lower ITU priority.
The ITU regulations provide allocations or designations for how
spectrum can be used for various purposes, and whether such uses
operate on a primary or secondary basis with respect to one
another. Secondary uses may not cause harmful interference to
primary uses, and may not claim interference protection from
primary uses.
On our behalf, various countries have made ITU filings, and may in
the future make additional filings, for the frequency assignments
at particular orbital locations that are used, or may in the future
be used, by our current satellite networks and potential future
satellite networks we may build or acquire. In the event that any
international coordination process that is triggered by such an ITU
filing is not successfully completed, or bringing into use
deadlines or requirements are not satisfied, we may be compelled to
accept more limited or suboptimal orbital and spectrum rights, to
operate the applicable satellite(s) on a non-interference basis, or
to cease operating such satellite(s) altogether. The orbital arc is
becoming increasingly congested with respect to such ITU filings
and the satellite networks operated under those filings.
In addition, the ITU’s Radio Regulations are subject to change at
periodic ITU World Radio-communication Conferences (WRCs), and
their application is determined by various governing bodies within
the ITU. WRCs typically are convened approximately every four
years, with the next one scheduled to occur in 2023. The next WRC
is considering various changes to the Radio Regulations that
address the terms and conditions under which spectrum is used for
satellite and terrestrial and purposes, and future WRCs are likely
to do the same.
Spectrum
The space stations and ground networks we use to provide our
broadband services rely on access to spectrum within each country
in which we do business. Use of such spectrum is authorized by
regulatory authorities within each country (or a regional authority
whose jurisdiction over spectrum rights encompasses that country),
which determine the terms and conditions for access to and use of
that spectrum in that particular country. The terms and conditions
for access can and do vary by country, may differ from the ITU’s
Radio Regulations, and may change over time. In particular, the
growing demand for both satellite and terrestrial communications
services is causing many countries to evaluate how spectrum is used
within their borders, and to consider changes in the local terms
and conditions for access to and use of spectrum. Those terms and
conditions affect, among other things, the extent to which, and
how, we must share spectrum with other spectrum users, including
terrestrial and satellite uses, and whether we must operate on a
secondary basis in some cases. Most of the spectrum on which we
rely is shared with other satellite networks, including those
operating in different orbits that could cross our orbital location
and result in interference conditions. In many countries, portions
of the spectrum on which we rely also are shared with terrestrial
wireless services.
17
If the deployment of new terrestrial or satellite networks results
in harmful interference into our satellite operations, or if the
implementation of those networks under newly adopted terms and
conditions constrains or prohibits the types of spectrum uses for
which we have planned in a manner that we do not anticipate, such
developments could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Broadband Services
We provide high-speed broadband internet access and VoIP services
to customers in the United States, as well as in Europe and Latin
America and on aircraft and seagoing vessels travelling around the
world. Our provision of these services is subject to a number of
legal obligations, including requirements to obtain licenses,
authorizations and/or registrations to provide service in or to a
given jurisdiction, implementation of certain network capabilities
to assist law enforcement, and open internet requirements.
Legislators and regulators often consider changes to existing
statutes, rules and requirements, or prescribe new ones, which
could significantly impact the ability to comply, or the costs of
complying with, these types of obligations, or that otherwise could
materially and adversely affect our ability to provide service in a
given jurisdiction.
US Regulation
The commercial use of radio-frequency spectrum in the United States
is subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended
(Communications Act). The FCC is responsible for licensing the
operation of satellite earth stations and spacecraft, regulating
the technical and other aspects of the operation of these
facilities, and regulating certain aspects of the provision of
services to customers.
Earth Stations.
The Communications Act requires a license for the operation of
transmitting satellite earth station facilities and certain
receiving satellite earth station facilities in the United States.
We currently hold licenses authorizing us to operate various earth
stations within the United States, including but not limited to
user terminals and facilities that aggregate traffic and
interconnect with the internet backbone and network hubs. These
licenses typically are granted for 15 year terms, and typically are
renewed in the ordinary course. Material changes in earth station
operations would require prior approval by the FCC. The operation
of our earth stations is subject to various license conditions, as
well as the technical and operational requirements of the FCC’s
rules and regulations.
Space Stations.
In the United States, the FCC authorizes the launch and operation
of commercial spacecraft, and also authorizes non-U.S. licensed
spacecraft to be used to serve the United States. The FCC has
authorized the use of the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2, WildBlue-1, Anik F2
and one ViaSat-3 class spacecraft to serve the United States. The
use of these spacecraft in our business is subject to various
conditions in the underlying authorizations, as well as the
technical and operational requirements of the FCC’s rules and
regulations.
Universal Service and other Broadband Subsidies.
Certain of our services may constitute the provision of
telecommunications to, from or within the United States, and may
require us to contribute a percentage of our revenues from such
services to universal service support mechanisms that subsidize the
provision of services to low-income consumers, high-cost areas,
schools, libraries and rural health care providers. This percentage
is set each calendar quarter by the FCC, and currently is 23.8%.
Current FCC rules permit us to pass this universal service
contribution through to our customers. The FCC has established
universal service funding mechanisms to support the provision of
voice and broadband services in certain high-cost areas of the
United States. These supporting mechanisms are known as the Connect
America Fund (CAF) and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF).
In addition, under the new Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment
(BEAD) program, funding for broadband service is expected to be
distributed by U.S. states and territories under the oversight and
administration of the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration (NTIA). Among other things, the CAF, RDOF and BEAD
mechanisms provide, or will likely provide, support to terrestrial
service providers under terms and conditions that are not available
to satellite-based service providers. The CAF and RDOF mechanisms
could provide other service providers a competitive advantage in
providing broadband services in supported areas, which could have a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations. Additionally, Viasat has been selected as
the winning bidder with respect to $122.5 million in support under
the CAF program to serve certain portions of the country, and must
comply with federal and state obligations imposed in connection
with such support.
CALEA.
We are obligated to comply with the requirements of the
Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), which
requires telecommunications providers and broadband internet access
providers to ensure that law enforcement agencies are able to
conduct lawfully-authorized surveillance of users of their
services.
Net Neutrality.
In February 2015, the FCC adopted new rules intended to preserve
the openness of the internet, a concept generally referred to as
“net neutrality” or “open internet.” The FCC’s “net neutrality”
rules, among other things, prohibited all ISPs from: (i) blocking
access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful
devices (subject to an
18
exception for “reasonable network management”); (ii) impairing or
degrading lawful internet traffic on the basis of content,
applications, services, or non-harmful devices (subject to the same
exception); (iii) favoring some lawful internet traffic over other
lawful traffic in exchange for consideration of any kind
whatsoever; and (iv) unreasonably interfering with or unreasonably
disadvantaging the ability of end users to access content or the
ability of content providers to access end users (again subject to
the exception for “reasonable network management”). ISPs also are
obligated to make certain disclosures to consumers with respect to
their network management policies.
In adopting these rules, the FCC relied on Title II of the
Communications Act, which authorizes the FCC to regulate
telecommunications common carriers. More specifically, the FCC
reclassified mass-market retail broadband internet access service
as a “telecommunications service” subject to common-carrier
regulation under Title II, reversing longstanding precedent
classifying broadband as a lightly regulated “information
service”
not
subject to such regulation. Such common-carrier regulation
potentially could have included review of the reasonableness of an
ISP’s rates and practices.
In January 2018, the FCC adopted an order restoring the
classification of broadband internet access service as a lightly
regulated information service, ending the Title II regulatory
approach adopted in 2015. The order eliminated explicit
requirements against blocking or throttling traffic and paid
prioritization of traffic. At the same time, the FCC maintained the
consumer disclosure requirements with some modifications and
acknowledged the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission to
enforce consumer protection measures. The 2018 order was largely
upheld by the D.C. Circuit, though it may be revisited by the FCC
in the future. In addition, legislative proposals that would
restore net neutrality requirements are being considered in
Congress, and some states have recently adopted portions of the net
neutrality requirements. Some legislative actions at the state
level are being challenged in courts on federal preemption and
other grounds. We cannot predict the outcome of these pending
lawsuits or regulatory and legislative efforts, or any resulting
impact on ISPs.
Privacy and Data Security.
We are subject to federal and state laws concerning the privacy of
consumers and the security we apply to their personal information.
Certain of these laws provide privacy protections for certain types
of personal information related to our voice services (referred to
by such laws as customer proprietary network information). The
Federal Trade Commission also oversees consumer privacy and data
security more broadly through its authority to take enforcement
action for unfair or deceptive practices, and state consumer
protection laws can prompt review of privacy practices by state
attorneys general. In addition, certain states have established
specific consumer privacy and data security requirements, including
the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California
Privacy Rights Act that will amend the CCPA in January 2023, which
combined give California residents, among other things, the right
to receive certain disclosures regarding the collection, use, and
disclosure of personal information, as well as rights to access,
delete, and restrict the sale and sharing of certain personal
information collected about them by us and our service providers.
State laws continue to multiply and evolve, and as various states
pass their own comprehensive privacy laws, we and our business
customers and partners could be exposed to additional regulatory
complexities and obligations. Many states also have enacted
security breach notification laws requiring notice to consumers and
government agencies upon disclosure of certain information to an
unauthorized party resulting from a security breach; in addition,
the SEC is considering enhanced requirements related to the
reporting of material cybersecurity incidents.
Foreign Regulation
Our operation of spacecraft and ground network and our provision of
services to customers outside of the United States are subject to
legal requirements of the jurisdictions issuing the satellite
authorizations and in which Viasat provides services. These include
obtaining the market access, spectrum access and licenses,
authorizations and/or registrations that are necessary to operate
or provide service in or to a given jurisdiction, and in many cases
licenses for the operation of transmitting satellite earth station
facilities and certain receiving satellite earth station
facilities. In particular, we must obtain authority to operate
various earth stations outside the United States, including but not
limited to user terminals and facilities that aggregate traffic and
interconnect with the internet backbone and network hubs. This
authority is subject to conditions and limitations that vary from
jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
The spacecraft we use in our business are subject to the regulatory
authority of, and conditions imposed by, foreign governments, as
well as contractual arrangements with third parties and the rules
and procedures of the ITU. Our ViaSat-1 satellite operates under
authority granted to ManSat Limited by the governments of the Isle
of Man and the United Kingdom (as well as authority from the FCC),
and pursuant to contractual arrangements we have with ManSat
Limited that extend past the expected useful life of ViaSat-1.
ViaSat-2 operates under the authority of the United Kingdom. We
also use Ka-band capacity on the Anik F2 satellite to provide our
broadband services under an agreement with Telesat Canada, and we
may do so until the end of the useful life of that satellite.
Telesat Canada operates that satellite under authority granted to
it by the government of Canada. We also currently use the
WildBlue-1 satellite, which we own, and which is co-located with
Anik F2 under authority granted to Telesat Canada by the government
of Canada, and pursuant to an agreement we have with Telesat Canada
that expires upon the end of the useful life of Anik F2.
Accordingly, we are
19
reliant upon ManSat Limited and Telesat Canada maintaining their
respective governmental rights on which our operating rights are
based. The use of these spacecraft in our business is subject to
various conditions in the underlying authorizations held by us,
ManSat Limited and Telesat Canada, as well as the technical and
operational requirements of the rules and regulations of those
jurisdictions.
We are also subject to certain other forms of foreign regulation in
connection with our provision of communications services. In the
area of privacy, we are subject to existing, new, and evolving laws
and regulations in the markets in which we operate. For instance,
certain of our business units are subject to the European Union’s
(EU) General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which imposes
transparency, accountability, data protection, cross-border data
transfer, and other obligations on Viasat both as a data controller
and a data processor of the personal data of individuals in the EU.
Privacy laws and regulations can be subject to differing
interpretations and may be inconsistent among jurisdictions.
Certain foreign jurisdictions in which we operate also impose
requirements related to network management practices, cooperation
with local law enforcement agencies, and other matters. A smaller
number of foreign jurisdictions in which we operate have adopted
laws enabling the government to suspend ISP services in the
country.
Equipment Design, Manufacture, and Marketing
We must comply with the applicable laws and regulations and, where
required, obtain the approval of the regulatory authority of each
country in which we design, manufacture, or market our
communications systems and networking equipment. Applicable laws
and regulatory requirements vary from country to country, and
jurisdiction to jurisdiction. The increasing demand for wireless
communications has exerted pressure on regulatory bodies worldwide
to adopt new standards for these products, generally following
extensive investigation and deliberation over competing
technologies. The delays inherent in this government approval
process have in the past caused and may in the future cause the
cancellation, postponement or rescheduling of the installation of
communication systems by our customers, which in turn may have a
material adverse impact on the sale of our products to the
customers.
Equipment Testing and Verification.
Certain equipment that we manufacture must comply with applicable
technical requirements intended to minimize radio interference to
other communications services and ensure product safety. In the
United States, the FCC is responsible for ensuring that
communications devices comply with technical requirements for
minimizing radio interference and human exposure to radio
emissions. Other regulators perform similar functions around the
world. These types of requirements typically provide for equipment
to be tested either by the manufacturer or by a private testing
organization to ensure compliance with the applicable technical
requirements. In some cases, the regulator requires submission of
an application, which must be approved by the regulator or a
private testing organization accredited by the
regulator.
Export Controls.
Due to the nature and sophistication of our communications
products, we must comply with applicable U.S. Government and other
agency regulations regarding the handling and export of certain of
our products. This often requires extra or special handling of
these products and could increase our costs. Failure to comply with
these regulations could result in substantial harm to the company,
including fines, penalties and the forfeiture of future rights to
sell or export these products.
Aviation-Related Regulation
Aircraft Modification.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the
regulation and oversight of civil aviation within the United
States. The FAA develops and enforces airworthiness standards and
regulations that certify the industry’s ability to manufacture
aircraft and aircraft components, perform modification and
maintenance activities on aircraft, and repair equipment previously
installed on aircraft. We interact with the FAA regarding aircraft
modification through two main activities: (1) supporting Type
Certificate (TC) activity with an aircraft original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) to obtain linefit certification of our IFC and
W-IFE equipment and (2) obtaining a Supplemental Type Certificate
(STC) to enable the retrofit of our IFC and W-IFE equipment. With
respect to TC activity, the OEM is responsible for full
certification and FAA regulatory compliance and we are responsible
for providing certified equipment to the OEM. With respect to STC
activity, we typically use Organization Designation Authorization
(ODA) to support holding and maintaining our STCs to ensure FAA
regulatory compliance. Our commercial aviation business depends on
our ability to interact with the FAA and ODAs, as well as
FAA-certified engineering professionals, in order to access data
and obtain authorizations and approvals.
Parts Manufacturing Approval.
We have a wide range of products supporting both commercial and
business aviation customers. The FAA, under its Part Manufacturing
Approval (PMA) program, provides authorization to entities like us
and our vendors to manufacture and deliver IFC and W-IFE equipment.
These approvals are provided through assigned FAA Manufacturing
Inspection District Offices and are subject to strict rules and
ongoing oversight. We have been able to obtain PMA on our entire
fleet of current IFC and W-IFE product offerings due to multiple
licensing agreements with both OEMs for linefit installations and
ODAs for retrofit installations.
20
FAA Part 145 Repair Stations.
The FAA has approved several of our locations as 14 CFR Part 145
repair stations, which enables us to provide ongoing support to
customers with respect to our IFC and W-IFE systems. These repair
stations support both line-replaceable unit (LRU) and line
maintenance activities associated with our IFC and W-IFE products.
These approvals are provided and overseen by FAA Flight Standards
District Offices. We have also obtained European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA) approval for our repair stations dedicated to LRU
repair and maintenance for our IFC and W-IFE products.
Other Regulations
As a government contractor, we are routinely subject to audit and
review by the DCMA, the DCAA and other U.S. Government agencies of
our performance on government contracts, indirect rates and pricing
practices, accounting and management internal control business
systems, and compliance with applicable contracting and procurement
laws, regulations and standards. Both contractors and the U.S.
Government agencies conducting these audits and reviews have come
under increased scrutiny. In particular, audits and reviews have
become more rigorous and the standards to which we are held are
being more strictly interpreted, increasing the likelihood of an
audit or review resulting in an adverse outcome. Increases in
congressional scrutiny and investigations into business practices
and major programs supported by contractors may lead to increased
legal costs and may harm our reputation and profitability if we are
among the targeted companies. An adverse outcome to a review or
audit or other failure to comply with applicable contracting and
procurement laws, regulations and standards could result in
material civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions
being imposed on us, which may include termination of contracts,
forfeiture of profits, triggering of price reduction clauses,
suspension of payments, significant customer refunds, fines and
suspension, or a prohibition on doing business with U.S. Government
agencies. In addition, if we fail to obtain an “adequate”
determination of our various accounting and management internal
control business systems from applicable U.S. Government agencies
or if allegations of impropriety are made against us, we could
suffer serious harm to our business or our reputation, including
our ability to bid on new contracts or receive contract renewals or
our competitive position in the bidding process. Any of these
outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
We are also subject to a variety of U.S. and international
regulations relating to the storage, discharge, handling, emission,
generation, manufacture and disposal of toxic or other hazardous
substances used to manufacture our products. The failure to comply
with current or future regulations could result in the imposition
of substantial fines on us, suspension of production, alteration of
our manufacturing processes or cessation of operations. To date,
these regulations have not had a material effect on our business,
as we have neither incurred significant costs to maintain
compliance nor to remedy past noncompliance, and we do not expect
such regulations to have a material effect on our business in the
current fiscal year.
Seasonality
In our satellite services segment, historically subscriber activity
for our fixed broadband services has been influenced by seasonal
effects related to traditional retail selling periods, with new
sales activity generally anticipated to be higher in the second
half of the calendar year. However, sales activity and churn can be
strongly affected by other factors which may either offset or
magnify any anticipated seasonal effects, including availability of
capacity, promotional and subscriber retention efforts, changes in
our resellers, distributors and wholesalers, changes in the
competitive landscape, economic conditions, and changes in credit
check and subscriber approval processes. In addition, we typically
see increased demand for our IFC services from airline passengers
during peak holiday travel periods.
Our commercial networks segment is not generally affected by
seasonal impacts. In our government systems segment, our results
are impacted by various factors including the timing of contract
awards and the timing and availability of U.S. Government funding,
as well as the timing of product deliveries and customer
acceptance.
Availability of Public Reports
Through a link on the Investor Relations section of our website
at
www.viasat.com,
we make available the following filings as soon as reasonably
practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished
to the SEC: our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those
reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All such filings are available
free of charge. They are also available free of charge on the SEC’s
website at
www.sec.gov.
We webcast our earnings calls and post the materials used in
meetings with members of the investment community on the Investor
Relations section of our website. Additionally, we provide
notifications of news or announcements regarding our financial
performance, including SEC filings, investor events and press and
earnings releases on the Investor Relations section of our website.
We also use the Investor Relations section of our website as a
means of disclosing material non-public information and for
complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.
Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations
section of our website, in addition to following our press
releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.
Information relating to our corporate governance,
21
including our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, corporate
governance guidelines, board committee charters and guide to
business conduct, is also included on the Investor Relations
section of our website. The information contained on, or that may
be accessed through, our website is neither incorporated by
reference into nor made a part of this report.
Human Capital
As of March 31, 2022, we employed approximately 7,000 individuals
worldwide, with 84% of our workforce located in the United States.
We consistently engage with our employees and generally consider
the relationships with our employees to be positive, with a
significant majority stating that they are proud to work at Viasat.
Competition for technical personnel in our industry is intense. We
believe our future success depends in part on our continued ability
to attract, hire, engage and retain qualified personnel.
Viasat has a long history of putting people first. We believe that
one of the most important investments we make is in our people. Our
mission to connect the world depends on our ability to come
together as one team to make a positive impact. As a global team,
we take pride in our culture of teamwork, trust and collaboration.
We prioritize our employees’ health and well-being to ensure we are
all able to do our best work. For example, in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly transitioned teams to a
work-from-home model and equipped them with the resources to
perform their jobs safely. For certain employees, whose roles
needed to be performed onsite, we deployed a robust set of safety
protocols aligned with then-current medical best practices and
government mandates. We also introduced additional resources and
benefits, including mental health and well-being resources and paid
time off for COVID-19-related issues.
Our key pillars of human capital management are ensuring the health
and safety of our employees, developing talented people, fostering
diversity and inclusion and engaging communities. We believe that
our long-term success is in large part dependent on our success
across these dimensions, and we will continue to invest in and
prioritize these areas in the future.
Executive Officers
Set forth below is information concerning our executive officers
and their ages:
|
|
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Age
|
|
Position
|
Mark Dankberg
|
|
67
|
|
Executive Chairman
|
Richard Baldridge
|
|
64
|
|
President & Chief Executive Officer and Board
Director
|
Doug Abts
|
|
48
|
|
Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning and Corporate
Development
|
Robert Blair
|
|
48
|
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
|
Girish Chandran
|
|
57
|
|
Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
|
Evan Dixon
|
|
41
|
|
President, Global Fixed Broadband
|
James Dodd
|
|
60
|
|
Senior Vice President and President, Global Enterprise &
Mobility
|
Shawn Duffy
|
|
52
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
Kevin Harkenrider
|
|
66
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
|
Melinda Kimbro
|
|
49
|
|
Senior Vice President, People & Culture and Chief People
Officer
|
Keven Lippert
|
|
50
|
|
Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Chief
Commercial Officer
|
Craig Miller
|
|
50
|
|
President, Government Systems
|
Mark Miller
|
|
62
|
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer
|
Krishna Nathan
|
|
60
|
|
Chief Information Officer
|
David Ryan
|
|
67
|
|
Senior Vice President and President, Space & Commercial
Networks
|
Mark Dankberg
is a founder of Viasat and has served as Executive Chairman since
November 2020, and previously served as Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Viasat since its inception in May 1986.
Mr. Dankberg provides Viasat with significant operational, business
and technological expertise in the satellite and communications
industry, and intimate knowledge of the issues facing our
management. Mr. Dankberg also has significant expertise and
perspective as a member of the boards of directors of companies in
various industries, including communications. Mr. Dankberg
currently serves on the board of Lytx, Inc., a privately-held
company that provides fleet safety management solutions. Prior to
founding Viasat, he was Assistant Vice President of M/A-COM
Linkabit, a manufacturer of satellite telecommunications equipment,
from 1979 to 1986, and Communications Engineer for Rockwell
International Corporation from 1977 to 1979. Mr. Dankberg holds
B.S.E.E. and M.E.E. degrees from Rice University.
22
Richard Baldridge
joined Viasat in April 1999, serving as our Executive Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer from
2000 and as our Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer from 2002. Mr. Baldridge was appointed President and Chief
Operating Officer in 2003 and assumed his current role of President
and Chief Executive Officer in November 2020. Mr. Baldridge has
also served on our Board of Directors since 2016. In addition, Mr.
Baldridge serves as a director of Ducommun Incorporated (NYSE:
DCO), a provider of engineering and manufacturing services to the
aerospace and defense industries, and EvoNexus, a San Diego based
non-profit technology incubator. Prior to joining Viasat, Mr.
Baldridge served as Vice President and General Manager of Raytheon
Corporation’s Training Systems Division from January 1998 to April
1999. From June 1994 to December 1997, Mr. Baldridge served as
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for Hughes
Information Systems and Hughes Training Inc., prior to their
acquisition by Raytheon in 1997. Mr. Baldridge’s other experience
includes various senior financial and general management roles with
General Dynamics Corporation. Mr. Baldridge holds a B.S.B.A. degree
in Information Systems from New Mexico State University.
Doug Abts
joined Viasat in September 2015 as Vice President, Strategic
Development for Broadband Services. From May 2017 to December 2021,
Mr. Abts led Viasat’s Global Mobility business through a period of
tremendous growth. He was appointed Senior Vice President of
Strategic Planning and Corporate Development in December 2021. In
this role, he is responsible for implementing Viasat's strategic
vision through business performance planning, competitive
environment review and prioritization of financial and
non-financial resources around strategic investment opportunities.
Mr. Abts has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of
general management, finance, business development, operations,
M&A and strategic planning. From 2010 to 2015, he served on the
management team of Bridgepoint Education as Executive Vice
President, Strategy and Corporate Development. From 2003 to 2010,
he operated in key management and business development roles at
Science Applications International Corporation, as the company
transitioned from employee ownership to being listed on the New
York Stock Exchange. Mr. Abts also served with distinction as an
Operations Officer and Platoon Commander in the U.S. Navy SEAL
Teams from 1995 to 2001. He holds an M.B.A. degree from Harvard
Business School and a B.A. degree in Economics and Communication
from Stanford University.
Robert Blair
joined Viasat in May 2008 as Assistant General Counsel. In April
2009, Mr. Blair was appointed Associate General Counsel and in 2014
was appointed Vice President and Deputy General Counsel. In May
2017, Mr. Blair served as Vice President, General Counsel and
Secretary beginning in May 2017 and assumed his current position as
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in December
2021. In addition, Mr. Blair has served as a director of the San
Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation since 2015. Prior
to joining Viasat, Mr. Blair was an associate at the law firm of
Latham & Watkins LLP. Mr. Blair holds a J.D. degree from
Stanford University and A.B. degrees in Broadcast Journalism and
Policy Studies from Syracuse University.
Girish Chandran
joined Viasat in October 2007 as a Principal Engineer. In September
2013, Mr. Chandran was appointed Chief Technology Officer —
Commercial Networks. In May 2017, he assumed his current position
as Vice President and Chief Technical Officer. Mr. Chandran has
extensive experience building multimedia networks. Prior to joining
Viasat, from 2001 to 2007, Mr. Chandran served as Vice President of
Engineering at Newtec America Inc., a satellite communications
equipment provider. From 1995 to 2001, he held several roles,
including Vice President of Systems Engineering, at Tiernan
Communications Inc. (acquired by Radyne Comstream Inc.), a provider
of video compression and transmission solutions. Mr. Chandran
earned a Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University
of California, San Diego, an M.S. degree in Electrical
Communication Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science and
a BSc. degree in Physics from the University of Kerala.
Evan Dixon
joined Viasat in 2015 and served as Deputy CEO and Chief Marketing
Officer of Euro Broadband Infrastructure Sàrl (which was at that
time 49% owned by Viasat). In March 2018, he was appointed Vice
President and General Manager of Viasat Europe, and in March 2020,
he was appointed President, Global Fixed Broadband. Mr. Dixon
previously held senior management positions at DIRECTV, a satellite
television company, and AT&T Inc., a telecommunications
company. Mr. Dixon holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration
from the University of Colorado and an M.B.A. degree from
Pepperdine University.
James Dodd
joined Viasat in March 2020 as President, Global Mobile Solutions.
In December 2020, he assumed his current position as Senior Vice
President and President, Global Enterprise & Mobility. Prior to
joining Viasat, Mr. Dodd held a number of senior-level aviation
management and engineering roles at Boeing, focused on complex
Department of Defense and international contracted programs,
overseeing strategic planning, execution, engineering and business
development. Mr. Dodd was retired from October 2016 to February
2020, and at Boeing served as Vice President and Program Manager –
Mobility, Surveillance and Engagement from 2015 to September 2016,
Vice President and Program Manager – Weapons and Missile Systems
from 2013 to 2014, and Vice President and Program Manager – Phantom
Works, Advanced Boeing Military Aircraft from 2011 to 2012. Mr.
Dodd earned an M.B.A. degree from Seattle University and a B.S.
degree in Physics from Arkansas State University.
23
Shawn Duffy
joined Viasat in 2005 as Corporate Controller. In 2009, she was
appointed Viasat’s Vice President and Corporate Controller and in
2012 was appointed Vice President — Corporate Controller and Chief
Accounting Officer. From August 2012 until April 2013, Ms. Duffy
also served as interim Chief Financial Officer. She assumed her
current position as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer in June 2014. Prior to joining Viasat, Ms. Duffy was a
Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, LLP, serving the technology
and consumer product markets. Ms. Duffy is a certified public
accountant in the State of California, and earned a B.S.B.A. degree
in Accounting from San Diego State University.
Kevin Harkenrider
joined Viasat in October 2006 as Director — Operations, served as
Vice President — Operations from January 2007 until December 2009,
served as Vice President of Viasat and Chief Operating Officer of
Viasat Communications Inc. from December 2009 to April 2011, as
Senior Vice President — Infrastructure Operations from April 2011
to May 2012, as Senior Vice President — Broadband Services from May
2012 to May 2015, as Senior Vice President — Commercial Networks
from May 2015 to May 2018, as Senior Vice President and President,
Broadband Systems from May 2018 until March 2020, and as Executive
Vice President – Global Operations and Chief Operations Officer
from March 2020 until November 2021. Mr. Harkenrider assumed his
current position as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer in November 2021. Prior to joining Viasat, Mr. Harkenrider
served as Account Executive at Computer Sciences Corporation from
2002 through October 2006. From 1992 to 2001, Mr. Harkenrider held
several positions at BAE Systems, Mission Solutions (formerly GDE
Systems, Marconi Integrated Systems and General Dynamics
Corporation, Electronics Division), including Vice President and
Program Director, Vice President — Operations and Vice President —
Material. Prior to 1992, Mr. Harkenrider served in several director
and program manager positions at General Dynamics Corporation. Mr.
Harkenrider holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Union
College and an M.B.A. degree from the University of
Pittsburgh.
Melinda Kimbro
joined Viasat in 2001 as Manager of Learning and Development. In
2003 she began to assume a broader role with the Human Resources
organization. In 2008 she was appointed Director of Human Resources
and in 2011 was appointed Vice President — Human Resources. In
April 2016, she assumed the position of Senior Vice President —
Human Resources, which was retitled Senior Vice President — People
& Culture in April 2017. In May 2018, she was also named Chief
People Officer. Ms. Kimbro currently serves on the board of
trustees at the San Diego Museum of Art. Ms. Kimbro started her
career teaching at San Diego State University within the School of
Communication. Prior to joining Viasat she held roles in corporate
learning and organizational development for Nicholas-Applegate
Capital Management, Qualcomm Personal Electronics and Sony
Electronics. Ms. Kimbro holds B.A. and M.A. degrees in
Communication from San Diego State University.
Keven Lippert
joined Viasat in May 2000 as Associate General Counsel and
Assistant Secretary. In April 2007, he was appointed Viasat’s Vice
President, General Counsel and Secretary, in 2012 he was appointed
Senior Vice President — General Counsel and Secretary, and in June
2014 he was appointed Executive Vice President — General Counsel
and Secretary. In May 2017, he was appointed President, Broadband
Services and Chief Legal Officer, and in May 2018, he was appointed
Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Chief
Administrative Officer. Effective September 2018, he assumed his
current position as Executive Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
and Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to joining Viasat, Mr. Lippert
was a corporate associate at the law firm of Latham & Watkins
LLP. Mr. Lippert holds a J.D. degree from the University of
Michigan and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from the
University of California, Berkeley.
Craig Miller
joined Viasat in 1995 and has held numerous technology, business
and strategic leadership roles. In January 2015, Mr. Miller was
appointed Chief Technology Officer, Government Systems, and in May
2021, he was promoted to President, Government Systems. Mr. Miller
holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University
of Arizona.
Mark Miller
is a founder of Viasat and served as Vice President and Chief
Technical Officer of Viasat from March 1993 to June 2014, when he
assumed his current position as Executive Vice President and Chief
Technical Officer. From 1986 through 1993, Mr. Miller served as
Engineering Manager. Prior to joining Viasat, Mr. Miller was a
Staff Engineer at M/A-COM Linkabit from 1983 to 1986. Mr. Miller
holds a B.S.E.E. degree from the University of California, San
Diego and an M.S.E.E. degree from the University of California, Los
Angeles.
Krishna Nathan
joined Viasat in September 2019 as its Chief Information Officer.
Mr. Nathan previously held senior leadership roles at S&P
Global, a financial information and analytics company, and IBM, a
technology company. Mr. Nathan holds a B.S. degree in Electrical
Engineering from George Washington University, an M.S. degree in
Electrical Engineering from M.I.T. and a Ph.D. degree in
Engineering from Brown University.
David Ryan
joined Viasat in May 2016 as Vice President — Intelligence
Programs, was appointed Senior Vice President and President, Space
Systems in March 2018, and was appointed Senior Vice President and
President, Space & Commercial Networks in March 2019. Prior to
joining Viasat, Mr. Ryan held several roles at Northrop Grumman
Corporation from 2005 to 2014, including Sector Vice President and
General Manager of the Intelligence Systems Division. He also
served in various roles at Boeing from 1990 to 2005, including
President of Boeing Space Systems International. Mr. Ryan earned a
B.S.E.E and an M.E.E degree from Rice University.
24
ITEM 1A.
RISK
FACTORS
You should consider each of the following factors as well as the
other information in this Annual Report in evaluating our business
and prospects. The risks and uncertainties described below are not
the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not
presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may
also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks
actually occur, our business and financial results could be harmed.
In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline.
You should also refer to the other information set forth in this
Annual Report, including our financial statements and the related
notes.
Risks Related to Our Satellites and Business
Our Operating Results Are Difficult to Predict
Our operating results have varied significantly from quarter to
quarter in the past and may continue to do so in the future.
Factors that cause our quarter-to-quarter operating results to be
unpredictable include the status of satellite-related activities
(including the construction, launch and bringing into service of
satellites and the associated levels of investment); impact of any
construction or launch delays, operational or launch failures or
other disruptions to our satellites; timing, quantity and mix of
products and services sold; unpredictability or length of
procurement processes; timing of customer payments; cost overruns;
and impact of one-time charges. Any of the foregoing factors, or
any other factors discussed elsewhere herein, could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations that could adversely affect our stock price.
Satellite Failures or Degradations in Satellite Performance Could
Affect Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Satellites utilize highly complex technology, operate in the harsh
environment of space and are subject to significant operational
risks while in orbit. These risks include malfunctions (commonly
referred to as anomalies), such as malfunctions in the deployment
of subsystems and/or components, interference from electrostatic
storms, and collisions with meteoroids, decommissioned spacecraft
or other space debris. Anomalies can occur as a result of various
factors, including satellite manufacturer error, problems with the
power or control sub-system of a satellite or general failures
caused by the harsh space environment. Our satellites have
experienced various anomalies in the past and we will likely
experience anomalies in the future. Any single anomaly or other
operational failure or degradation on the satellites we use could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations. Anomalies may also reduce the expected
useful life of a satellite, thereby creating additional expense due
to the need to provide replacement or backup capacity, which may
not be available on reasonable economic terms, a reasonable
schedule or at all. In addition, anomalies may cause a reduction of
the revenues generated by the applicable satellite or the
recognition of an impairment loss, and could lead to claims from
third parties for damages. Finally, anomalies may adversely affect
our ability to insure our satellites at commercially reasonable
premiums or terms, if at all. While some anomalies are covered by
insurance policies, others may not be covered or may be subject to
large deductibles. Although our satellites have redundant or backup
systems and components that operate in the event of an anomaly,
operational failure or degradation of primary critical components,
these redundant or backup systems and components are subject to
risk of failure similar to those experienced by the primary systems
and components. The occurrence of a failure of any of these
redundant or backup systems and components could materially impair
the useful life, capacity, coverage or operational capabilities of
the satellite.
Satellites Have a Finite Useful Life, and Their Actual Operational
Life May Be Shorter than Their Design Life
Our ability to earn revenues from our satellite services depends on
the continued operation of the satellites we own and operate or
use. Each satellite has a limited useful life, referred to as its
design life. There can be no assurance as to the actual operational
life of a satellite, which may be shorter than its design life. A
number of factors affect the useful lives of the satellites,
including the quality of design and construction, durability of
component parts and back-up units, the ability to continue to
maintain proper orbit and control over the satellite’s functions,
the efficiency of the launch vehicle used, consumption of on-board
fuel, degradation and durability of solar panels, the actual space
environment experienced and the occurrence of anomalies or other
in-orbit risks affecting the satellite. In addition, continued
improvements in satellite technology may make satellites obsolete
prior to the end of their operational life.
New or Proposed Satellites Are Subject to Significant Risks Related
to Construction and Launch that Could Limit Our Ability to Utilize
these Satellites
Satellite construction and launch are subject to significant risks,
including construction delays, manufacturer error, cost overruns,
regulatory conditions or delays, unavailability of launch
opportunities, launch failure, damage or destruction during launch
and improper orbital placement, any of which could result in
significant additional cost or materially impair the useful life,
capacity, coverage or operational capabilities of the satellite.
Unlike our ViaSat-1 and ViaSat-2 satellites,
25
which were constructed in their entirety by the satellite
manufacturer, we are constructing the payload for our ViaSat-3
class satellites ourselves at our own facilities, with Boeing then
integrating the completed payload into the satellite bus at their
facilities. The technologies in our satellite designs are also very
complex, and there can be no assurance that the technologies will
work as we expect or that we will realize any or all of their
anticipated benefits. We have in the past identified
construction-related issues in our satellites. For example, our
ViaSat-2 satellite experienced an antenna deployment issue which
reduced its output capabilities. We have also experienced delays in
satellite construction and launch, such as the delay in launching
our ViaSat-2 satellite caused by civil unrest in French Guiana (the
location of the satellite launch) and the construction delays in
our ViaSat-3 satellites caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. If
satellite construction schedules are not met or other events
prevent satellite launch on schedule, a launch opportunity may not
be available at the time the satellite is ready to be launched. In
addition, delays in construction or launch could impact our ability
to meet milestone conditions in our satellite authorizations and/or
to maintain the rights we may enjoy under various ITU filings. A
launch failure may result in significant delays because of the need
both to construct a replacement satellite and to obtain other
launch opportunities. The overall historical loss rate in the
satellite industry for all launches of commercial satellites in
fixed orbits in the last five years is estimated by some industry
participants to be approximately 1% but could at any time be
higher. Launch vehicles may also under perform, in which case the
satellite may still be able to be placed into service by using its
onboard propulsion systems to reach the desired orbital location,
but this would cause a reduction in its useful life. Moreover, even
if launch is successful, there can be no assurance that the
satellite will successfully reach its geostationary orbital slot
and pass in-orbit testing prior to transfer of control of the
satellite to us. The failure to implement our satellite deployment
plan on schedule could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Potential Satellite Losses May Not Be Fully Covered By Insurance,
or at All
We may not be able to obtain or renew pre-launch, launch or
in-orbit insurance for our satellites on reasonable economic terms
or at all. A failure to obtain or renew our satellite insurance may
also result in a default under our debt instruments. In addition,
the occurrence of anomalies on other satellites, or failures of a
satellite using similar components or failures of a similar launch
vehicle to any launch vehicle we intend to use, may materially
adversely affect our ability to insure our satellites at
commercially reasonable premiums or terms, if at all.
The policies covering our insured satellites will not cover the
full cost of constructing and launching or replacing a satellite
nor fully cover our losses in the event of a satellite failure or
significant degradation. Moreover, such policies do not cover lost
profits, business interruptions, fixed operating expenses, loss of
business or similar losses, including contractual payments that we
may be required to make under our agreements with our customers for
interruptions or degradations in service. Our insurance contains
customary exclusions, material change and other conditions that
could limit recovery under those policies, and may contain
exclusions for past satellite anomalies. Further, any insurance
proceeds may not be received on a timely basis in order to launch a
replacement satellite or take other remedial measures. In addition,
the policies are subject to limitations involving uninsured losses,
large satellite performance deductibles and policy
limits.
The Markets in Which We Compete Are Highly Competitive and Our
Competitors May Have Greater Resources than Us
The markets in which we compete are highly competitive and
competition is increasing. In addition, because the markets in
which we operate are constantly evolving and characterized by rapid
technological change, it is difficult for us to predict whether,
when and by whom new competing technologies, products or services
may be introduced into our markets. Currently, we face substantial
competition in each of our segments. See “Business–Competition” in
Part I, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of the competitive
environment in each of our segments. Many of our competitors have
significant competitive advantages, including strong customer
relationships, more experience with regulatory compliance, greater
financial and management resources and access to technologies not
available to us. Many of our competitors are also substantially
larger than we are and may have more extensive engineering,
manufacturing and marketing capabilities than we do. As a result,
these competitors may be able to adapt more quickly to changing
technology or market conditions or may be able to devote greater
resources to the development, promotion and sale of their products.
Our ability to compete in each of our segments may also be
adversely affected by limits on our capital resources and our
ability to invest in maintaining and expanding our market
share.
The Global Business Environment and Economic Conditions Could
Negatively Affect Our Business, Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Our business and operating results are affected by the global
business environment and economic conditions, including changes in
interest rates, consumer credit conditions, consumer debt levels,
consumer confidence, rates of inflation, unemployment rates, energy
costs, geopolitical issues and other macro-economic factors. For
example, high unemployment levels or energy costs may impact our
customer base in our satellite services segment by
reducing
26
consumers’ discretionary income and affecting their ability to
subscribe for our broadband services. Our commercial networks
segment similarly depends on the economic health and willingness of
our customers and potential customers to make and adhere to capital
and financial commitments to purchase our products and services.
During periods of slowing global economic growth or recession, our
customers or key suppliers may experience deterioration of their
businesses, cash flow shortages and difficulty obtaining financing
or insolvency. Existing or potential customers may reduce or
postpone spending in response to tighter credit, reduced consumer
demand, negative financial news or declines in income or asset
values, which could have a material negative effect on the demand
for our products and services. For example, the business and
financial condition of our commercial airline customers were
materially impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic by the severe
decline in global air travel. In addition, natural disasters,
political instability, civil unrest, terrorist activity, acts of
war, and public health issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic or
epidemics could disrupt supplies and raise prices globally which,
in turn, may have adverse effects on the world and U.S. economies.
Any of these factors could result in reduced demand for, and
pricing pressure on, our products and services, which could reduce
our revenues and adversely affect our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
In addition, U.S. credit and capital markets have experienced
significant dislocations and liquidity disruptions from time to
time. Uncertainty or volatility in credit or capital markets may
negatively impact our ability to access additional debt or equity
financing or to refinance existing indebtedness in the future on
favorable terms or at all. Any of these risks could impair our
ability to fund our operations or limit our ability to expand our
business, which could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Acquisitions such as the Inmarsat Transaction, Joint Ventures and
Other Strategic Alliances May Have an Adverse Effect on Our
Business; We May Fail to Realize the Anticipated Benefits of such
Transactions
In order to position ourselves to take advantage of growth
opportunities, from time to time we make strategic acquisitions and
enter into joint ventures and other strategic alliances that
involve significant risks and uncertainties. For example, during
2021 we announced the Inmarsat Transaction and closed the
acquisitions of RigNet and EBI. Risks and uncertainties relating to
the these transactions and any other acquisitions, joint ventures
and other strategic alliances we may undertake include:
•
the difficulty in combining, integrating and managing newly
acquired businesses or any businesses of a joint venture or
strategic alliance in an efficient and effective
manner;
•
the challenges in achieving the objectives, cost savings, synergies
and other benefits expected from such transactions;
•
the risk of diverting resources and the attention of senior
management from the operations of our business;
•
additional demands on management related to integration efforts or
the increase in the size and scope of our company following an
acquisition or to the complexities of a joint venture or strategic
alliance, including challenges of coordinating geographically
dispersed organizations and addressing differences in corporate
cultures or management philosophies;
•
difficulties in the assimilation and retention of key employees and
in maintaining relationships with present and potential customers,
distributors and suppliers;
•
the lack of unilateral control over a joint venture or strategic
alliance and the risk that joint venture or strategic partners have
business goals and interests that are not aligned with ours, or the
failure of a joint venture partner to satisfy its obligations or
its bankruptcy or malfeasance;
•
costs and expenses associated with any undisclosed or potential
liabilities of an acquired business;
•
delays, difficulties or unexpected costs in the integration,
assimilation, implementation or modification of platforms, systems,
functions (including corporate, administrative, information
technology, marketing and distribution functions), technologies,
infrastructure, and product and service offerings of the acquired
business, joint venture or strategic alliance, or in the
harmonization of standards, controls (including internal accounting
controls), procedures and policies;
•
the risk that funding requirements of the acquired business, joint
venture or combined company may be significantly greater than
anticipated;
•
the risks of entering markets in which we have less experience;
and
•
the risks of disputes concerning indemnities and other obligations
that could result in substantial costs.
We may not achieve the anticipated growth, cost savings or other
benefits from the Inmarsat Transaction or any other transaction we
may undertake without adversely affecting current revenues and
investments in future growth. Moreover, the anticipated growth,
cost savings, synergies and other benefits of the Inmarsat
Transaction or any other
27
transaction we may undertake may not be realized fully, or at all,
or may take longer to realize than expected. Additionally, we may
inherit legal, regulatory, and other risks of the acquired
business, whether known or unknown to us, which may be material to
the combined company. Moreover, uncertainty about the effect of a
pending transaction such as the Inmarsat Transaction on employees,
suppliers and customers may have an adverse effect on us and/or the
acquired business, which uncertainties may impair our or its
ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel, and could
cause our or its customers, suppliers and distributors to seek to
change existing business relationships with either of us. In
addition, in connection with acquisitions, joint ventures or
strategic alliances, we may incur debt, issue equity securities,
assume contingent liabilities or have amortization expenses and
write-downs of acquired assets, which could cause our earnings per
share to decline. In addition, companies such as Inmarsat that are
private companies at the time of acquisition are not subject to
reporting requirements and may not have accounting personnel
specifically employed to review internal controls over financial
reporting and other procedures or to ensure compliance with the
requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Bringing the legacy
systems for these businesses into compliance with those
requirements and integrating them into our compliance and
accounting systems may cause us to incur substantial additional
expense, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming or
costly and increase demand on our systems and resources.
Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances are
inherently risky and subject to many factors outside of our
control, and we cannot be certain that our previous or future
acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances will be
successful and will not materially adversely affect our business,
operating results or financial condition. We may not be able to
successfully integrate the businesses, products, technologies or
personnel that we might acquire in the future, and any strategic
investments we make may not meet our financial or other investment
objectives. Any failure to do so could seriously harm our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Our Reliance on U.S. Government Contracts Exposes Us to Significant
Risks
Our government systems segment revenues typically represent a
significant percentage of our total revenues, including close to
half of our total revenues in prior years, and are derived
primarily from U.S. Government applications. Therefore, any
significant disruption or deterioration of our relationship with
the U.S. Government would significantly reduce our revenues. U.S.
Government business exposes us to various risks,
including:
•
changes in governmental procurement legislation and regulations and
other policies, which may reflect military and political
developments;
•
unexpected contract or project terminations or
suspensions;
•
unpredictable order placements, reductions or
cancellations;
•
reductions or delays in government funds available for our projects
due to government policy changes, budget cuts or delays, changes in
available funding, reductions in defense expenditures and contract
adjustments;
•
the ability of competitors to protest contractual
awards;
•
penalties arising from post-award contract audits;
•
the reduction in the value of our contracts as a result of the
routine audit and investigation of our costs by U.S. Government
agencies;
•
higher-than-expected final costs, particularly relating to software
and hardware development, for work performed under contracts where
we commit to specified deliveries for a fixed price;
•
limited profitability from cost-reimbursement contracts under which
the profit is limited to a specified amount;
•
unpredictable cash collections of unbilled receivables that may be
subject to acceptance of deliverables by the customer and contract
close-out procedures, including government approval of final
indirect rates;
•
competition with programs managed by other government contractors
for limited resources and for uncertain levels of
funding;
•
significant changes in contract scheduling or program structure,
which generally result in delays or reductions in deliveries;
and
•
intense competition for available U.S. Government business
necessitating increases in time and investment for design and
development.
We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations
relating to the award, administration and performance of U.S.
Government contracts. Government contract laws and regulations
affect how we do business with our customers and, in some
instances, impose added costs on our business, including the
establishment of compliance procedures. A violation of specific
laws and regulations could result in the imposition of fines and
penalties, the termination of our contracts or debarment from
bidding on contracts.
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Substantially all of our U.S. Government backlog scheduled for
delivery can be terminated at the convenience of the U.S.
Government because our contracts with the U.S. Government typically
provide that orders may be terminated with limited or no penalties.
If we are unable to address any of the risks described above, or if
we were to lose all or a substantial portion of our sales to the
U.S. Government, it could materially harm our business and impair
the value of our common stock.
The funding of U.S. Government programs is subject to congressional
appropriations. Congress generally appropriates funds on a fiscal
year basis even though a program may extend over several fiscal
years. Consequently, programs are often only partially funded
initially and additional funds are committed only as Congress makes
further appropriations. In the event that appropriations for one of
our programs become unavailable, or are reduced or delayed, our
contract or subcontract under such program may be terminated or
adjusted by the government, which could have a negative impact on
our future sales and results of operations. Budget cuts to defense
spending, such as those that took effect in March 2013 under the
Budget Control Act of 2011, can exacerbate these problems. From
time to time, when a formal appropriation bill has not been signed
into law before the end of the U.S. Government’s fiscal year,
Congress may pass a continuing resolution that authorizes agencies
of the U.S. Government to continue to operate, generally at the
same funding levels from the prior year, but does not authorize new
spending initiatives, during a certain period. During such period
(or until the regular appropriation bills are passed), delays can
occur in procurement of products and services due to lack of
funding, and such delays can affect our results of operations
during the period of delay.
Our Success Depends on the Investment in and Development of New
Broadband Technologies and Advanced Communications and Secure
Networking Systems, Products and Services, as well as their Market
Acceptance
Broadband, advanced communications and secure networking markets
are subject to rapid technological change, frequent new and
enhanced product and service introductions, product obsolescence
and changes in user requirements. Our ability to compete
successfully in these markets depends on our success in applying
our expertise and technology to existing and emerging broadband,
advanced communications and secure networking markets, as well as
our ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new
products and services on a timely and cost-effective basis that
respond to ever-changing customer requirements, which depends on
numerous factors, including our ability to: continue to develop
market-leading satellite technologies (including high-capacity
Ka-band satellites and associated ground networks); continue to
increase satellite capacity, bandwidth cost-efficiencies and
service quality; develop and introduce competitive products,
services and technologies with innovative features that
differentiate our offerings from those of our competitors;
successfully integrate our complex technologies and system
architectures; and implement manufacturing and assembly processes
and cost reduction efforts.
We cannot assure you that our new technology, product or service
offerings will be successful or that any of our offerings will
achieve market acceptance. Many of these risks are amplified in new
and emerging markets where we do not currently operate or have
limited operations, but which present opportunities for
international expansion following the launch of our ViaSat-3 global
constellation. The time from conception through satellite launch
for a new satellite design may be four years or longer, thereby
delaying our ability to realize the benefits of our investments in
new satellite designs and technologies. We may experience
difficulties that could delay or prevent us from successfully
selecting, developing, manufacturing or marketing new technologies,
products or services, which could increase costs and divert our
attention and resources from other projects. We cannot be sure that
our efforts and expenditures will ultimately lead to the timely
development of new offerings and technologies. In addition, defects
may be found in our products after we begin deliveries that could
degrade service quality, or result in the delay or loss of market
acceptance. If we are unable to design, manufacture, integrate and
market profitable new products and services for existing or
emerging markets, it could materially harm our business, financial
condition and results of operations, and impair the value of our
common stock.
In addition, we believe that significant investments in
next-generation broadband satellites and associated infrastructure
will continue to be required as demand for broadband services and
satellite systems with higher capacity and higher speed continues
to grow. The development of these capital-intensive next-generation
systems may require us to undertake debt financing and/or the
issuance of additional equity, which could expose us to increased
risks and impair the value of our common stock. In addition, if we
are unable to effectively or profitably design, manufacture,
integrate and market such next-generation technologies, it could
materially harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations, and impair the value of our common stock.
Because Our Products Are Complex and Are Deployed in Complex
Environments, Our Products May Have Defects that We Discover Only
After Full Deployment, which Could Seriously Harm Our
Business
We produce highly complex products that incorporate leading-edge
technology, including both hardware and software. Software
typically contains defects or programming flaws that can
unexpectedly interfere with expected operations. In addition, our
products are complex and are designed to be deployed across complex
networks, which in some cases may include over a million users.
Because of the nature of these products, there is no assurance that
our
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pre-shipment testing programs will be adequate to detect all
defects. As a result, our customers may discover errors or defects
in our hardware or software, or our products may not operate as
expected after they have been fully deployed. If we are unable to
cure a product defect, we could experience damage to our
reputation, reduced customer satisfaction, loss of existing
customers and failure to attract new customers, failure to achieve
market acceptance, cancellation of orders, loss of revenues,
reduction in backlog and market share, increased service and
warranty costs, diversion of development resources, legal actions
by our customers, product returns or recalls, issuance of credit to
customers and increased insurance costs. Further, due to the high
volume nature of our fixed broadband business, defects of products
used in this business could significantly increase these risks.
Defects, integration issues or other performance problems in our
products could also result in financial or other damages to our
customers. Our customers could seek damages for related losses from
us, which could seriously harm our business, financial condition
and results of operations. A product liability claim brought
against us, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time consuming
and costly. The occurrence of any of these problems would seriously
harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our Reputation and Business Could Be Materially Harmed as a Result
of Data Breaches, Data Theft, Unauthorized Access or
Hacking
Our success depends, in part, on the secure and uninterrupted
performance of our information technology systems. These systems
may be subject to damage or interruption from, among other things,
earthquakes, adverse weather conditions, other natural disasters,
terrorist attacks, rogue employees, power loss, telecommunications
failures and cybersecurity risks. An increasing number of companies
have disclosed breaches of their security, some of which have
involved sophisticated and highly targeted attacks on their
computer networks. Because the techniques used to obtain
unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage
systems, change frequently and often are not recognized until
launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these
techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures.
Additionally, outside parties may attempt to induce employees or
users to disclose sensitive or confidential information in order to
gain access to data. If unauthorized parties gain access to our
information technology systems, they may be able to misappropriate
assets or sensitive information (such as personal information of
our customers, business partners and employees), cause interruption
in our operations, corrupt our data or computers, or otherwise
damage our reputation and business. In such circumstances, we could
be held liable to our customers or other parties, or be subject to
regulatory or other actions for breaching privacy rules. On
February 24, 2022, a cyberattack involving our KA-SAT network
resulted in a partial interruption of consumer-oriented fixed
broadband services provided through our KA-SAT satellite, affecting
thousands of fixed broadband customers in Europe and North Africa.
Based on our comprehensive investigation efforts to date, there is
no evidence that any end-user data was accessed, nor is there any
evidence that the KA-SAT satellite itself or its supporting
satellite ground infrastructure was directly involved, impaired or
compromised. Any compromise of our security could result in a loss
of confidence in our security measures, and subject us to
litigation, civil or criminal penalties, and negative publicity
that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of
operations. We could also suffer other negative consequences,
including significant remediation costs, significant increased
cybersecurity protection costs, loss of material revenues resulting
from attacks on our satellites or technology, and the unauthorized
use of proprietary information or the failure to retain or attract
customers following an attack. Further, if we are unable to comply
with the security standards established by banks and the payment
card industry, we may be subject to fines, restrictions, and
expulsion from card acceptance programs, which could adversely
affect our operations.
A Significant Portion of Our Revenues Is Derived from a Few of Our
Contracts
A small number of our contracts account for a significant
percentage of our revenues. Our five largest contracts generated
approximately 20% of our total revenues in fiscal year 2022. The
failure of these customers or any of our key distributors to place
additional orders or to maintain their contracts with us for any
reason, including any downturn in their business or financial
condition or our inability to renew our contracts with these
customers or obtain new contracts when they expire, could
materially harm our business and impair the value of our common
stock.
Our Development Contracts May Be Difficult for Us to Comply with
and May Expose Us to Third-Party Claims for Damages, and We May
Experience Losses from Fixed-Price Contracts
We are often party to government and commercial contracts involving
the development of new products. We derived approximately 23% of
our total revenues for fiscal year 2022 from these development
contracts. These contracts typically contain strict performance
obligations and project milestones. We cannot assure you we will
comply with these performance obligations or meet these project
milestones in the future. If we are unable to comply with these
performance obligations or meet these milestones, our customers may
terminate these contracts and, under some circumstances, recover
damages or other penalties from us. We are not currently, nor have
we always been, in compliance with all outstanding performance
obligations and project milestones in our contracts. We cannot
assure you that the other parties
30
to any such contract will not terminate the contract or seek
damages from us. If other parties elect to terminate their
contracts or seek damages from us, it could materially harm our
business and impair the value of our common stock.
A substantial majority of revenues in our government systems and
commercial networks segments are derived from contracts with fixed
prices. These contracts carry the risk of potential cost overruns
because we assume all of the cost burden. We assume greater
financial risk on fixed-price contracts than on other types of
contracts because if we do not anticipate technical problems,
estimate costs accurately or control costs during performance of a
fixed-price contract, it may significantly reduce our net profit or
cause a loss on the contract. In the past, we have experienced
significant cost overruns and losses on fixed-price contracts.
Because many of these contracts involve new technologies and
applications and can last for years, unforeseen events, such as
technological difficulties, fluctuations in the price of raw
materials, problems with our suppliers and cost overruns, can
result in the contractual price becoming less favorable or even
unprofitable to us over time. Furthermore, if we do not meet
contract deadlines or specifications, we may need to renegotiate
contracts on less favorable terms, be forced to pay penalties or
liquidated damages or suffer major losses if the customer exercises
its right to terminate. We believe a high percentage of our
contracts in our government systems and commercial networks
segments will be at fixed prices in the future. Although we attempt
to accurately estimate costs for fixed-price contracts, we cannot
assure you our estimates will be adequate or that substantial
losses on fixed-price contracts will not occur in the future. If we
are unable to address any of the risks described above, it could
materially harm our business, financial condition and results of
operations, and impair the value of our common stock.
Our Reliance on a Limited Number of Third Parties to Manufacture
and Supply Our Products and the Components Contained therein
Exposes Us to Various Risks
We expect our internal manufacturing capacity to be limited to
supporting new product development activities, building customized
products that need to be manufactured in strict accordance with a
customer’s specifications or delivery schedules, and building
proprietary, highly sensitive Viasat-designed products and
components for use in our proprietary technology platform.
Therefore, our internal manufacturing capacity has been, and is
expected to continue to be, very limited and we intend to continue
to rely on contract manufacturers to produce the majority of our
products. In addition, some components, subassemblies and services
necessary for the manufacture of our products are obtained from a
sole source supplier or a limited group of suppliers.
Our reliance on contract manufacturers and on sole source suppliers
or a limited group of suppliers involves several risks. We may not
be able to obtain an adequate supply of required components, and
our control over the price, timely delivery, reliability and
quality of finished products may be reduced. The process of
manufacturing our products and some of our components and
subassemblies is extremely complex. We have in the past experienced
and may in the future experience delays in the delivery of and
quality problems with products and components and subassemblies
from vendors. Some of the suppliers we rely upon have relatively
limited financial and other resources. Some of our vendors have
manufacturing facilities in areas that may be prone to natural
disasters and other natural occurrences that may affect their
ability to perform and deliver under our contract. Moreover, an
outbreak of a pandemic such as the COVID-19 pandemic and associated
quarantines, closures and travel restrictions or other major event
may cause temporary or long-term disruptions in our supply chain
and distribution systems and/or delays in the delivery of
inventory. If we are not able to obtain timely deliveries of
components and subassemblies of acceptable quality or if we are
otherwise required to seek alternative sources of supply or to
substitute alternative technology, or to manufacture our finished
products or components and subassemblies internally, our ability to
satisfactorily and timely complete our customer obligations could
be negatively impacted which could result in reduced sales,
termination of contracts and damage to our reputation and
relationships with our customers. This failure could also result in
a customer terminating our contract for default. A default
termination could expose us to liability and have a material
adverse effect on our ability to compete for future contracts and
orders. In addition, a delay in our ability to obtain components
and equipment parts from our suppliers may affect our ability to
meet our customers’ needs and may have an adverse effect upon our
profitability.
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We Depend on a Limited Number of Key Employees Who Would Be
Difficult to Replace
We depend on a limited number of key technical, marketing and
management personnel to manage and operate our business. In
particular, we believe our success depends to a significant degree
on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled personnel,
including our Executive Chairman, Mark Dankberg, and our Chief
Executive Officer, Richard Baldridge, and those highly skilled
design, process and test engineers involved in the manufacture of
existing products and the development of new products and
processes. The competition for these types of personnel is intense,
and the loss of key employees could materially harm our business
and impair the value of our common stock. To the extent that the
demand for qualified personnel exceeds supply, we could experience
higher labor, recruiting or training costs to attract and retain
such employees, or experience difficulties in performing under our
contracts if our needs for such employees were unmet.
Because We Conduct Business Internationally, We Face Additional
Risks, including Risks Related to Global Political and Economic
Conditions, Changes in Regulation and Currency
Fluctuations
Approximately 15% of our total revenues in fiscal year 2022 were
derived from international sales. Following the completion of the
Inmarsat Transaction, we expect that a significantly greater
percentage of our business and sales will be conducted
internationally. Conducting business internationally involves
additional risks, including unexpected changes in laws, policies
and regulatory requirements (including regulations related to
import-export control); increased cost of localizing systems in
foreign countries; increased sales and marketing and R&D
expenses; availability of suitable export financing; timing and
availability of export licenses; imposition of taxes, tariffs,
embargoes and other trade barriers; political and economic
instability, including as a result of the United Kingdom’s “Brexit”
withdrawal from the EU; issues related to the political
relationship between the United States and other countries;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates (including their effect on
sales denominated in foreign currencies), foreign exchange controls
and restrictions on cash repatriation; compliance with
international laws and U.S. laws affecting the activities of U.S.
companies abroad; challenges in staffing and managing foreign
operations; difficulties in managing distributors; requirements for
additional liquidity to fund our international operations;
ineffective legal protection of our intellectual property rights in
certain countries; potentially adverse tax consequences; potential
difficulty in making adequate payment arrangements; and potential
difficulty in collecting accounts receivable. In addition, some of
our customer purchase agreements are governed by foreign laws,
which may differ significantly from U.S. laws and we may be limited
in our ability to enforce our rights under these agreements and to
collect damages, if awarded. As a result of these and other risks,
we may be unsuccessful in implementing our business plan for our
business internationally, or we may not be able to achieve the
revenues that we expect. If we are unable to address any of the
risks described above, it could materially harm our business and
impair the value of our common stock.
Due to the global nature of our operations, we are subject to the
complex and varying tax laws and rules of many countries and have
material tax-related contingent liabilities that are difficult to
predict or quantify. We are also subject to tax audits, including
with respect to transfer pricing, in the United States and other
jurisdictions and our tax positions may be challenged by tax
authorities. There can be no assurance that our current tax
provisions will be settled for the amounts accrued, that additional
tax exposures will not be identified in the future or that
additional tax reserves will not be necessary for any such
exposures. Any increase in the amount of taxation incurred as a
result of challenges to our tax filing positions could result in a
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Adverse Resolution of Litigation May Harm Our Operating Results or
Financial Condition
We are a party to various lawsuits and claims in the normal course
of our business. Moreover, acquisitions like the Inmarsat
Transaction are frequently subject to litigation or other legal
proceedings, including actions alleging that our board of directors
breached their fiduciary duties to our stockholders by entering
into the Purchase Agreement. Litigation can be expensive, lengthy
and disruptive to normal business operations, including through the
possible diversion of company resources or distraction of key
personnel. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are
difficult to predict. An unfavorable resolution of a particular
lawsuit, as well as the costs and efforts of a defense even if
successful, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Future Sales of Our Common Stock Could Lower Our Stock Price and
Dilute Existing Stockholders
From time to time, we raise capital from equity financings and file
universal shelf registration statements with the SEC for the future
sale of an unlimited amount of common stock, preferred stock,
warrants, rights, and other securities. For example, during fiscal
year 2017 we sold 7.5 million shares of our common stock in an
underwritten public offering, and during fiscal year 2021 we sold
4.5 million shares of our common stock to certain accredited
investors in a private placement transaction exempt from
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
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We may also issue additional shares of common stock to finance
future acquisitions. For example, we have agreed to issue 46.36
million unregistered shares of our common stock as consideration in
the Inmarsat Transaction, and during fiscal year 2022 we issued 4.0
million shares of our common stock as consideration for the
acquisition of RigNet. Additionally, a substantial number of shares
of our common stock are available for future sale pursuant to stock
options, warrants or issuance pursuant to our 1996 Equity
Participation Plan of ViaSat, Inc. and the ViaSat, Inc. Employee
Stock Purchase Plan. Future issuances of shares may be dilutive to
existing stockholders. We cannot predict the size of future
issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future
sales and issuances of shares of our common stock will have on the
market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of
our common stock (including shares issued upon the exercise of
stock options and warrants or in connection with acquisition
financing), or the perception that such sales could occur, may
adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common
stock.
We Expect Our Stock Price to Be Volatile, and You May Lose All or
Some of Your Investment
The market price of our common stock has been volatile in the past.
For example, between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2022, the market
price of our common stock ranged from $97.31 to $25.10 (the low
price occurred during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020,
during a period when the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant
volatility and dislocation in the stock market generally). Trading
prices may continue to fluctuate in response to a number of events
and factors, including quarterly variations in operating results
(or operating results falling below the expectations of analysts
and investors), significant announcements by us or our competitors
(including with respect to technological innovations, satellite
construction and launch activities, acquisitions and other material
transactions), regulatory developments, or changes in market
conditions in our industry or the economy as a whole. Any of these
events may cause the market price of our common stock to fall. In
addition, the stock market in general and the market prices for
technology companies in particular have experienced significant
volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating
performance of these companies. These broad market and industry
fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common
stock, regardless of our operating performance.
We May Not Be Able to Utilize All of Our Deferred Tax
Assets
We believe that we are likely to have sufficient taxable income in
the future to fully realize our net deferred tax assets (consisting
primarily of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards,
reserves and accruals that are not currently deductible for tax
purposes). However, some or all of these deferred tax assets could
expire unused if we are unable to generate sufficient taxable
income in the future to take advantage of them or we enter into
transactions that limit our right to use them. If it became more
likely than not that deferred tax assets would expire unused, we
would have to increase our valuation allowance against deferred tax
assets to reflect this fact, which could materially increase our
income tax expense, and adversely affect our results of operations
and tangible net worth in the period in which it is
recorded.
Moreover, our ability to utilize our net operating loss and tax
credit carryforwards to offset future taxable income and reduce
future cash tax liabilities would be negatively impacted if we were
to experience an “ownership change,” as defined in Section 382 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). In
general terms, an “ownership change” can occur whenever the
ownership of a company by one or more “5% shareholders” changes by
more than 50 percentage points within a rolling three-year period.
The determination of whether an ownership change has occurred for
purposes of Section 382 of the Code is complex and requires
significant judgment. Moreover, the number of shares of our common
stock outstanding at any time for purposes of Section 382 of the
Code may differ from the number of shares that we report as
outstanding in our filings with the SEC. In the event that an
ownership change occurs, our ability to utilize our net operating
loss and tax credit carryforwards would be negatively impacted,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
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Provisions in Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, under
Delaware Law and in Our Credit Facilities May Discourage, Delay or
Prevent a Change in Control or Prevent an Acquisition of Our
Business at a Premium Price
Some of the provisions of our certificate of incorporation, our
bylaws and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent an
acquisition of our business, even if a change in control of Viasat
would be beneficial to the interests of our stockholders and was
made at a premium price. These provisions permit the board of
directors to increase its own size and fill the resulting
vacancies, provide for a board comprised of three classes of
directors with each serving a staggered three-year term, authorize
the issuance of blank check preferred stock in one or more series,
and prohibit stockholder action by written consent.
We are also subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, which imposes restrictions on mergers and other
business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of
our common stock. In addition, under the Indentures, if certain
“change of control” events occur, each holder of Notes may require
us to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price
equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Notes. Additionally,
our Credit Facilities provide for an event of default upon the
occurrence of certain specified “change of control”
events.
Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Business
We May Be Unable to Obtain or Maintain Required Authorizations or
Contractual Arrangements
Various types of U.S. domestic and international authorizations and
contractual arrangements are required in connection with the
products and services that we provide. See “Regulatory
Environment.” Compliance with certain laws, regulations, conditions
and other requirements, including the payment of fees, may be
required to maintain the rights provided by such authorizations,
including the rights to operate satellite networks at certain
orbital slots in certain radio frequencies. Failure to comply with
such requirements, or comply in a timely manner, could lead to the
loss of such authorizations and could have a material adverse
impact on our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
We currently hold authorizations to, among other things, operate
various satellite earth stations (including but not limited to user
terminals, facilities that interconnect with the internet backbone,
and network hubs) and operate satellite space stations and/or use
those space stations to provide service to certain jurisdictions.
Such authorizations are conditioned upon meeting certain milestone
conditions and/or due diligence requirements, which if not met or
extended could result in loss of the authorization. While we
anticipate that these authorizations will be extended or renewed in
the ordinary course to the extent that they otherwise would expire,
or replaced by authorizations covering more advanced facilities, we
can provide no assurance that this will be the case. Our inability
to timely obtain or maintain such authorizations could delay or
preclude our operation of such satellites or our provision of
products and services that rely upon such satellites. Further,
changes to the laws and regulations under which we operate could
adversely affect our ability to obtain or maintain authorizations.
Any of these circumstances could have a material adverse impact on
our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
The spacecraft we use in our business are subject to the regulatory
authority of, and conditions imposed by, foreign governments, as
well as contractual arrangements with third parties and the
regulations and procedures of the ITU governing access to orbital
and spectrum rights and the international coordination of satellite
networks. The use of spacecraft in our business is subject to
various conditions in the underlying authorizations held by us and
third parties, as well as the requirements of the laws and
regulations of those jurisdictions. Any failure to meet these types
of requirements in a timely manner, maintain our contractual
arrangements, obtain or maintain our authorizations, or manage
potential conflicts with the orbital slot rights afforded to third
parties, could lead to us losing our rights to operate from these
orbital locations or may otherwise require us to modify or limit
our operations from these locations, which could materially
adversely affect our ability to operate a satellite at full
capacity or at all, and could have a material adverse impact on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in the Regulatory Environment Could Have a Material Adverse
Impact on Our Competitive Position, Growth and Financial
Performance
Our business is highly regulated. We are subject to the regulatory
authority of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including the
United States and other jurisdictions around the world. Those
authorities regulate, among other things, the launch and operation
of satellites, the use of radio spectrum, the ability to operate
satellites at specific orbital locations in space, the licensing of
earth stations and other radio transmitters, the provision of
communications services, and the design, manufacture and marketing
of communications systems and networking infrastructure. The space
stations and ground network we use to provide our broadband
services operate using some spectrum that is regulated for use on a
primary basis for certain types of the satellite services we
provide, some spectrum that is regulated for use on a shared basis
with terrestrial wireless services, and some spectrum that is
regulated primarily for terrestrial wireless and other uses but
that we are authorized to use on a secondary or non-interference
basis. Moreover, spectrum availability varies from country to
country, and even within countries, within our service
areas.
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Laws and regulations affecting our business are subject to change
in response to industry developments, new technology, and political
considerations, among other things. Legislators and regulatory
authorities in various countries are considering, and may in the
future adopt, new laws, policies and regulations, as well as
changes to existing regulations. We cannot predict when or whether
applicable laws or regulations may come into effect or change, or
what the cost and time necessary to comply with such new or updated
laws or regulations may be.
Changes in laws or regulations, including changes in the way
spectrum is regulated and/or in regulations governing our products
and services, changes in the way spectrum is made available to us,
or is allowed to be used by others, or competing uses of spectrum
or orbital locations, could, directly or indirectly, affect our
operations or the operations of our distribution partners, increase
the cost of providing our products and services and make our
products and services less competitive. Some regulators are
considering new or additional terrestrial services in the spectrum
in which we operate, which may not be compatible with the way we
use, or plan to use, that same spectrum. In certain instances, such
changes could have a material adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Among other things, changes to laws and regulations could
materially harm our business by (1) affecting our ability to obtain
or retain required governmental authorizations, (2) restricting our
ability to provide certain products or services, (3) restricting
development efforts by us and our customers, (4) making our current
products and services less attractive or obsolete, (5) increasing
our operational costs, or (6) making it easier or less expensive
for our competitors to compete with us. Failure to comply with
applicable laws or regulations could result in the imposition of
financial penalties against us, the adverse modification or
cancellation of required authorizations, or other material adverse
actions. Any such matters could materially harm our business and
impair the value of our common stock.
Our International Sales and Operations Are Subject to Applicable
Laws Relating to Trade, Sanctions, Export Controls and Foreign
Corrupt Practices, the Violation of Which Could Have a Material
Adverse Impact on our Business
We must comply with all applicable export control laws and
regulations of the United States and other countries. U.S. export
and control laws and regulations applicable to us include the Arms
Export Control Act, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
(ITAR), the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) and the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR). The export of certain satellite
hardware, software services and technical data relating to
satellites is regulated by the U.S. Department of State under ITAR.
Certain satellites and other items are controlled for export by the
U.S. Department of Commerce under the EAR. In addition, we must
comply with trade and economic sanctions laws and regulations,
including those administered by the U.S. Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). We cannot
provide certain products and services to certain countries or
persons subject to U.S. trade sanctions unless we first obtain the
necessary authorizations from OFAC. We are also subject to the
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act, which
generally bar bribes to foreign governments or officials. Although
we have in place policies for our respective employees, directors
and officers, and we have clauses in our contracts with our
distribution partners, resellers and other intermediaries, we
cannot be certain that any such activities are not undertaken, and
cannot guarantee that our policies and contracts will prevent
situations occurring, including actions by distribution partners,
resellers and other intermediaries, for which we may be held
responsible. Non-compliance with any applicable trade control,
sanctions, export control or anti-corruption laws or other legal
requirements may result in criminal and/or civil penalties,
disgorgement and/or other sanctions and remedial measures, and may
result in unexpected legal or compliance costs. Violations of any
of these laws or regulations could also result in more onerous
compliance requirements, more extensive debarments from export
privileges or loss of authorizations needed to conduct aspects of
our business, and could materially adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, any
investigation of alleged violations of any such laws could have a
material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial
condition and results of operations.
Our Business Could Be Adversely Affected by a Negative Audit by the
U.S. Government
As a government contractor, we are routinely subject to audit and
review by the DCMA, the DCAA and other U.S. Government agencies of
our performance on government contracts, indirect rates and pricing
practices, accounting and management internal control business
systems, and compliance with applicable contracting and procurement
laws, regulations and standards. Audits and reviews have become
more rigorous and the standards to which we are held are being more
strictly interpreted, increasing the likelihood of an audit or
review resulting in an adverse outcome. Increases in congressional
scrutiny and investigations into business practices and major
programs supported by contractors may lead to increased legal costs
and may harm our reputation and profitability if we are among the
targeted companies.
An adverse outcome to a review or audit or other failure to comply
with applicable contracting and procurement laws, regulations and
standards could result in material civil and criminal penalties and
administrative sanctions being imposed on us, which may include
termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, triggering of
price reduction clauses, suspension of payments, significant
customer refunds, fines and suspension, or a prohibition on doing
business with U.S.
35
Government agencies. In addition, if we fail to obtain an
“adequate” determination of our various accounting and management
internal control business systems from applicable U.S. Government
agencies or if allegations of impropriety are made against us, we
could suffer serious harm to our business or our reputation,
including our ability to bid on new contracts or receive contract
renewals and our competitive position in the bidding process. Any
of these outcomes could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property
Our Ability to Protect Our Proprietary Technology Is
Limited
Our success depends on our ability to protect our proprietary
rights to the technologies we use in our products and services. We
generally rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks
and trade secret laws and contractual rights to protect our
proprietary rights. We also enter into confidentiality agreements
with our employees, consultants and corporate partners, and control
access to and distribution of our proprietary information. Despite
our efforts, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy or obtain and
use our proprietary information. If we are unable to protect our
proprietary rights adequately, our competitors could use the
intellectual property we have developed to enhance their own
products and services, which could materially harm our business and
impair the value of our common stock. Monitoring and preventing
unauthorized use of our technology is difficult. From time to time,
we undertake actions to prevent unauthorized use of our technology,
including sending cease and desist letters. In addition, we may be
required to commence litigation to protect our intellectual
property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the
proprietary rights of others. For example, in February 2012 we
successfully sued Space Systems/Loral, Inc. and its former parent
company Loral Space & Communications, Inc. for patent
infringement and breach of contract relating to the manufacture of
ViaSat-1. If we are unsuccessful in any such litigation in the
future, our rights to enforce such intellectual property may be
impaired or we could lose our rights to such intellectual property.
We do not know whether the steps we have taken will prevent
unauthorized use of our technology, including in foreign countries
where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as
extensively as in the United States. If we are unable to protect
our proprietary rights, we may find ourselves at a competitive
disadvantage to others who need not incur the substantial expense,
time and effort required to create the innovative products. Also,
we have delivered technical data and information to the U.S.
Government under procurement contracts, and the U.S. Government may
have unlimited rights to use that technical data and information.
There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government will not
authorize others to use that data and information to compete with
us.
Our Involvement in Litigation Relating to Intellectual Property
Claims May Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our
Business
We may be party to intellectual property infringement, invalidity,
right to use or ownership claims by third parties or claims for
indemnification resulting from infringement claims. Regardless of
the merit of these claims, intellectual property litigation can be
time consuming and costly and may result in the diversion of the
attention of technical and management personnel. An adverse result
in any litigation could have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition and results of operations. Asserted
claims or initiated litigation can include claims against us or our
manufacturers, suppliers or customers alleging infringement of
their proprietary rights with respect to our existing or future
products, or components of those products. If our products are
found to infringe or violate the intellectual property rights of
third parties, we may be forced to (1) seek licenses or royalty
arrangements from such third parties, (2) stop selling,
incorporating or using products that included the challenged
intellectual property, or (3) incur substantial costs to redesign
those products that use the technology. We cannot assure you that
we would be able to obtain any such licenses or royalty
arrangements on reasonable terms or at all or to develop redesigned
products or, if these redesigned products were developed, they
would perform as required or be accepted in the applicable
markets.
We Rely on the Availability of Third-Party Licenses
Many of our products are designed to include software or other
intellectual property licensed from third parties. It may be
necessary in the future to seek or renew licenses relating to
various elements of the technology used to develop these products.
We cannot assure you that our existing or future third-party
licenses will be available to us on commercially reasonable terms,
if at all. Our inability to maintain or obtain any third-party
license required to sell or develop our products and product
enhancements could require us to obtain substitute technology of
lower quality or performance standards, or at greater
cost.
36
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our Level of Indebtedness May Adversely Affect Our Ability to
Operate Our Business, Remain in Compliance with Debt Covenants,
React to Changes in Our Business or the Industry in which We
Operate, or Prevent Us from Making Payments on Our
Indebtedness
We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of March 31, 2022,
the aggregate principal amount of our total outstanding
indebtedness was $2.5 billion, which was comprised of $700.0
million in principal amount of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2025 (the
2025 Notes), $600.0 million in principal amount of 5.625% Senior
Secured Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes), $400.0 million in
principal amount of 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028 (the 2028 Notes),
$700.0 million in outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan
Facility, no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit
Facility, $78.6 million in principal amount of outstanding
borrowings under the Ex-Im Credit Facility and $45.8 million of
finance lease obligations. As of March 31, 2022, we had undrawn
availability of $637.0 million under our Revolving Credit
Facility.
Our high level of indebtedness could have important consequences.
For example, it could:
•
make it more difficult for us to satisfy our debt
obligations;
•
increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry
conditions;
•
impair our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing in
the future for working capital, capital expenditures, product
development, satellite construction, acquisitions or general
corporate or other purposes;
•
require us to dedicate a material portion of our cash flows to the
payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby
reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital
needs, capital expenditures, product development, satellite
construction, acquisitions and other general corporate
purposes;
•
expose us to variable interest rate risk with respect to borrowings
under our Term Loan Facility and Revolving Credit
Facility;
•
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in
our business and the industry in which we operate;
•
place us at a disadvantage compared to our competitors that have
less indebtedness; and
•
limit our ability to adjust to changing market
conditions.
Any of these risks could materially impact our ability to fund our
operations or limit our ability to expand our business, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition
and results of operations.
We may also incur significant additional indebtedness in the
future, which may include financing relating to future satellites,
potential acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances,
working capital, capital expenditures or general corporate
purposes. For example, we currently expect to incur $1.3 billion of
additional indebtedness under the financing commitments we obtained
in connection with the Inmarsat Transaction. We also plan to assume
$2.1 billion in principal amount of Inmarsat senior secured bonds
and the outstanding indebtedness under Inmarsat’s $2.4 billion
senior secured credit facilities. If our level of indebtedness
increases significantly, the related risks that we now face would
intensify.
We May Not Be Able to Generate Sufficient Cash to Service All of
Our Indebtedness and Fund Our Working Capital and Capital
Expenditures or Refinance Our Indebtedness, and May Be Forced to
Take Other Actions to Satisfy Our Obligations under Our
Indebtedness, which May Not Be Successful
Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our
indebtedness will depend upon our future operating performance and
on our ability to generate cash flow in the future, which is
subject to economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative,
regulatory and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure
you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from
operations, or that future borrowings, including under our
Revolving Credit Facility, will be sufficient to enable us to pay
our indebtedness, or to fund our other liquidity needs. In the
event of satellite failure or loss, amounts recovered under
satellite insurance policies may be insufficient to adequately
service our debt obligations. Moreover, there can be no assurance
that we will be able to refinance our debt obligations on
commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund
our debt service obligations, we could face substantial liquidity
problems and could be forced to reduce or delay investment and
capital expenditures or to dispose of material assets or
operations, seek additional debt or equity capital or restructure
or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to effect any
such alternative measures, if necessary, on commercially reasonable
terms or at all and, even if successful, such alternative actions
may not allow us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.
Our Credit Facilities and the Indentures restrict our ability to
dispose of assets and use the proceeds from the disposition, and
may also restrict our ability to raise debt or equity capital to
repay or service our indebtedness.
37
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in
default and, as a result, the lenders under our Credit Facilities
and the holders of the Notes could declare all outstanding
principal and interest to be due and payable, the lenders under our
Credit Facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money
and foreclose against the assets securing the borrowings under our
Credit Facilities, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or
liquidation, which could result in you losing your investment in
our company.
Covenants in Our Debt Agreements Could Limit Our Ability to
Implement Our Business Plan
The Credit Facilities and the Indentures contain covenants that may
restrict our ability to implement our business plan, borrow under
our Credit Facilities or secure additional financing, respond to
changing conditions, and engage in opportunistic transactions. The
Credit Facilities and the Indentures include covenants restricting,
among other things, our ability to incur indebtedness, issue
redeemable or preferred stock, incur liens, sell or dispose of
assets (including capital stock of subsidiaries), make loans and
investments, pay dividends, enter into affiliate transactions,
reduce our satellite insurance and consolidate or merge with or
into, or sell substantially all of our assets to, another
person.
In addition, our Credit Facilities require us to comply with
certain financial covenants, including a maximum total leverage
ratio and minimum interest coverage ratio. Our Term Loan Facility,
Revolving Credit Facility and the 2027 Notes are equally and
ratably secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of the
assets of our company, including the stock of our significant
subsidiaries, and the assets of any future subsidiary guarantors.
Our Ex-Im Credit Facility is guaranteed by Viasat and is secured by
first-priority liens on the ViaSat-2 satellite and related assets,
as well as the stock of our foreign subsidiary that owns the
ViaSat-2 satellite.
If we default under our Credit Facilities or the Indentures, all
outstanding amounts thereunder could become immediately due and
payable. In the past we violated covenants in our former revolving
credit facilities and received waivers for these violations. We
cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with covenants or
that any covenant violations will be waived in the future. Any
violation that is not waived could result in an event of default,
permitting our lenders to declare outstanding indebtedness and
interest thereon due and payable, and permitting the lenders under
our Credit Facilities to suspend commitments to make any advance
or, with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, require any
outstanding letters of credit to be collateralized by an interest
bearing cash account, any or all of which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of
operations. In addition, if we fail to comply with our financial or
other covenants under our Credit Facilities or the Indentures, we
may need additional financing to service or extinguish our
indebtedness. We may not be able to obtain financing or refinancing
on terms acceptable to us, if at all. We cannot assure you that we
would have sufficient funds to repay all the outstanding amounts
under our Credit Facilities or the Indentures, and any acceleration
of amounts due would have a material adverse effect on our
liquidity and financial condition.
38
Additional Risks Related to the Inmarsat Transaction
The Inmarsat Transaction is Subject to Closing Conditions and May
Not Be Completed, the Purchase Agreement May Be Terminated in
Accordance with its Terms, and We May Be Required to Pay a
Termination Fee Upon Termination
The Inmarsat Transaction is subject to customary closing conditions
that must be satisfied or waived prior to the completion of the
Inmarsat Transaction, including receipt of regulatory approvals and
clearances and approval by our stockholders of both the issuance of
shares of our common stock in the Inmarsat Transaction and an
amendment to our certificate of incorporation to increase the
number of shares of our common stock authorized for issuance. Many
of the closing conditions are not within our control. No assurance
can be given that the required regulatory approvals and clearances
and stockholder approvals will be obtained or that the required
conditions to closing will be satisfied in a timely manner or at
all. Any delay in completing the Inmarsat Transaction could cause
the combined company not to realize, or to be delayed in realizing,
some or all of the benefits that we expect to achieve if the
Inmarsat Transaction is successfully completed within its expected
time frame.
Additionally, either we or certain Sellers may terminate the
Purchase Agreement under certain circumstances, including, among
other reasons, if the Inmarsat Transaction is not completed by May
8, 2023 (subject to extension by six months at our option under
certain circumstances). In addition, if the Purchase Agreement is
terminated under specified circumstances, we may be obligated to
pay a termination fee of either $150.0 million or $200.0 million or
to reimburse certain out-of-pocket expenses of certain Sellers up
to $40.0 million.
Moreover, if the Inmarsat Transaction is not completed for any
reason, including because required regulatory approvals and
clearances or our stockholder approvals are not obtained, our
ongoing businesses may be adversely affected and, without realizing
any of the expected benefits of having completed the Inmarsat
Transaction, we would be subject to a number of risks, including
the following:
•
we may experience negative reactions from the financial markets,
including negative impacts on our stock price;
•
we may experience negative reactions from our customers, suppliers,
distributors and employees;
•
we will be required to pay our costs relating to the Inmarsat
Transaction, such as financial advisory, legal, financing and
accounting costs and associated fees and expenses, whether or not
the Inmarsat Transaction is completed;
•
the Purchase Agreement places certain restrictions on the conduct
of our business prior to completion of the Inmarsat Transaction and
such restrictions, the waiver of which are subject to the consent
of certain of the Sellers, may have prevented us from taking
actions during the pendency of the Inmarsat Transaction that would
have been beneficial; and
•
matters relating to the Inmarsat Transaction (including integration
planning) will require substantial commitments of time and
resources by management, which could otherwise have been devoted to
day-to-day operations or to other opportunities that may have been
beneficial to us as an independent company.
39
We Must Obtain Certain Regulatory Approvals and Clearances to
Consummate the Inmarsat Transaction, Which, If Delayed, Not Granted
or Granted with Burdensome or Unacceptable Conditions, Could
Prevent, Substantially Delay or Impair Consummation of the Inmarsat
Transaction, Result in Additional Expenditures of Money and
Resources or Reduce the Anticipated Benefits of the Inmarsat
Transaction
The completion of the Inmarsat Transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and
clearances in various jurisdictions. Governmental and regulatory
authorities in various jurisdictions may impose conditions on
approvals and clearances as they deem necessary or desirable,
including, but not limited to, seeking divestiture of substantial
assets of the parties or requiring the parties to license, or hold
separate, assets or to not engage in certain types of conduct, or
seeking to enjoin the completion of the Inmarsat
Transaction.
Any conditions imposed in connection with regulatory approvals or
clearances could jeopardize or delay the completion of the Inmarsat
Transaction, have a material adverse effect on the combined company
or reduce the anticipated benefits of the Inmarsat Transaction.
There is no assurance that we and Inmarsat will obtain all required
regulatory clearances or approvals on a timely or acceptable basis,
or at all. Failure to obtain the necessary clearances and approvals
in the United States or any other relevant jurisdictions could
substantially delay or prevent the consummation of the Inmarsat
Transaction, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
Additionally, we may be required to pay a termination fee of $200.0
million if either we or certain Sellers terminate the Purchase
Agreement due to the Inmarsat Transaction not being completed by
the long-stop date and at the time of termination the regulatory
conditions have not been satisfied.
While the Inmarsat Transaction is Pending, We Are Prohibited From
Entering into Certain Transactions and Taking Certain Actions that
Might Otherwise be Beneficial to Us and Our Stockholders
During the period between the date of the Purchase Agreement and
completion of the Inmarsat Transaction, the Purchase Agreement
restricts us from taking specified actions or from pursuing what
might otherwise be attractive business opportunities or making
other changes to our business, in each case without the consent of
certain of the Sellers. These restrictions may prevent us from
taking actions during the pendency of the Inmarsat Transaction that
would have been beneficial.
The Inmarsat Transaction Will Involve Substantial Costs
We have incurred and expect to incur non-recurring costs associated
with the Inmarsat Transaction and combining the operations of the
two companies, as well as transaction fees and other costs related
to the Inmarsat Transaction. In addition, the combined company will
also incur significant restructuring and integration costs in
connection with the Inmarsat Transaction. See Part II, Item 7,
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations—Inmarsat Acquisition” for additional
information. While we have assumed a certain level of expenses
would be incurred to integrate the two companies and achieve
synergies and efficiencies and we continue to assess the magnitude
of these costs, many of these expenses are, by their nature,
difficult to estimate accurately and there are many factors beyond
our control that could affect the total amount or timing of these
costs. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative
costs, as well as the realization of strategic benefits, additional
income, synergies and other efficiencies, should allow the combined
company to offset integration-related costs over time, this net
benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all.
None.
40
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
Our worldwide headquarters are located at our Carlsbad, California
campus. In addition to our Carlsbad campus, we have facilities,
offices or earth stations located across the United States
including our Tempe, Arizona facility, and across the globe.
Although we believe that our existing facilities are suitable and
adequate for our present purposes, we anticipate operating
additional regional sales offices in fiscal year 2023 and beyond.
Each of our segments uses each of these facilities.
ITEM 3.
LEGAL
PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are involved in a variety of claims, suits,
investigations and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of
business, including government investigations and claims, and other
claims and proceedings with respect to intellectual property,
breach of contract, labor and employment, tax and other matters.
Such matters could result in fines; penalties, compensatory, treble
or other damages; or non-monetary relief. A violation of government
contract laws and regulations could also result in the termination
of our government contracts or debarment from bidding on future
government contracts. Although claims, suits, investigations and
proceedings are inherently uncertain and their results cannot be
predicted with certainty, we believe that the resolution of our
current pending matters will not have a material adverse effect on
our business, financial condition, results of operations or
liquidity. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an
adverse impact on us because of defense costs, diversion of
management resources and other factors. In addition, it is possible
that an unfavorable resolution of one or more such proceedings
could in the future materially and adversely affect our business,
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in a
particular period. For further information on the risks we face
from existing and future claims, suits, investigations and
proceedings, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of this
report.
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY
DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
41
PART
II
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED
STOCKHOLDER
MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under
the symbol “VSAT.” As of May 13, 2022, there were approximately 442
holders of record of our common stock. A substantially greater
number of holders of Viasat common stock are “street name” or
beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks,
brokers and other financial institutions.
Dividend Policy
To date, we have neither declared nor paid any dividends on our
common stock. We currently intend to retain all future earnings, if
any, for use in the operation and development of our business and,
therefore, do not expect to declare or pay any cash dividends on
our common stock in the foreseeable future. Any future
determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of
the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our financial
condition, results of operations, capital requirements, general
business condition and such other factors as the Board of Directors
may deem relevant. In addition, as more fully described in
“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations” in Item 7, the existing terms of our Credit
Facilities and the Indentures restrict our ability to declare or
pay dividends on our common stock.
ITEM 6.
[RESERVED]
42
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Company Overview
We are an innovator in communications technologies and services,
focused on making connectivity accessible, available and secure for
all. Our end-to-end platform of high-capacity Ka-band satellites,
ground infrastructure and user terminals enables us to provide
cost-effective, high-speed, high-quality broadband solutions to
enterprises, consumers, military and government users around the
globe, whether on the ground, in the air or at sea. In addition,
our government business includes a market-leading portfolio of
military tactical data link systems, satellite communication
products and services, and cybersecurity and information assurance
products and services. We believe that our diversification
strategy—anchored in a broad portfolio of products and services—our
vertical integration approach and our ability to effectively
cross-deploy technologies between government and commercial
applications and segments as well as across different geographic
markets, provide us with a strong foundation to sustain and enhance
our leadership in advanced communications and networking
technologies. We conduct our business through three segments:
satellite services, commercial networks and government
systems.
Satellite Services
Our satellite services segment uses our proprietary technology
platform to provide satellite-based high-speed broadband services
around the globe for use in commercial applications. Our
proprietary Ka-band satellites are at the core of our technology
platform. The primary services offered by our satellite services
segment are comprised of:
•
Fixed broadband services, which provide consumers and businesses
with high-speed, high-quality broadband internet access and VoIP
services, primarily in the United States as well as in various
countries in Europe and Latin America.
•
In-flight services, which provide industry-leading IFC, wireless
in-flight entertainment and aviation software
services.
•
Prepaid Internet services, which offer innovative, affordable,
satellite-based connectivity in communities that have little or no
access to the internet. The services help foster digital inclusion
by enabling millions of people to connect to affordable
high-quality internet services via a centralized community hotspot
connected to the internet via satellite. We provide Prepaid
Internet services in multiple regions in Mexico and Brazil and are
trialing services in advance of full service launch in various
other countries in South America and Central America.
•
Other mobile broadband services, which include high-speed,
satellite-based internet services to seagoing vessels (such as
energy offshore vessels, cruise ships, consumer ferries and
yachts), as well as L-band managed services enabling real-time
machine-to-machine (M2M) position tracking, management of remote
assets and operations, and visibility into critical areas of the
supply chain.
•
Energy services,
which include ultra-secure solutions spanning global IP
connectivity, bandwidth-optimized over-the-top applications,
industrial Internet-of-Things big data enablement and
industry-leading machine learning analytics.
The assets and results of operations of our recent acquisitions,
EBI and RigNet, are primarily included in our satellite services
segment (with insignificant amounts included in our commercial
networks segment).
Commercial Networks
Our commercial networks segment develops and sells a wide array of
advanced satellite and wireless products, antenna systems and
terminal solutions that support or enable the provision of
high-speed fixed and mobile broadband services. We design, develop
and produce space system solutions for multiple orbital regimes,
including GEO, MEO and LEO. The primary products, systems,
solutions and services offered by our commercial networks segment
are comprised of:
•
Mobile broadband satellite communication systems, designed for use
in aircraft and seagoing vessels
•
Fixed broadband satellite communication systems, including
next-generation satellite network infrastructure and ground
terminals.
•
Antenna systems, including state-of-the-art ground and airborne
terminals, antennas and gateways for terrestrial and satellite
customer applications, mobile satellite communication, Ka-band
earth stations and other multi-band antennas.
43
•
Satellite networking development, including specialized design and
technology services covering all aspects of satellite communication
system architecture and technology.
•
Space systems, including the design and development of
high-capacity Ka-band satellites and associated payload
technologies for our own satellite fleet as well as for third
parties.
Government Systems
Our government systems segment offers a broad array of products and
services designed to enable the collection and transmission of
secure real-time digital information and communications between
fixed and mobile command centers, intelligence and defense
platforms and individuals in the field. The primary products and
services of our government systems segment include:
•
Government mobile broadband products and services, which provide
military and government users with high-speed, real-time, broadband
and multimedia connectivity in key regions of the world, as well as
line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight ISR missions.
•
Government satellite communication systems, which offer an array of
portable, mobile and fixed broadband modems, terminals, network
access control systems and antenna systems, and include products
designed for manpacks, aircraft, UAVs, seagoing vessels,
ground-mobile vehicles and fixed applications.
•
Secure networking, cybersecurity and information assurance products
and services, which provide advanced, high-speed IP-based “Type 1”
and HAIPE-compliant encryption solutions that enable military and
government users to communicate information securely over networks,
and that protect the integrity of data stored on computers and
storage devices.
•
Tactical data links, including our BATS-D handheld Link 16 radios,
our STT 2-channel radios for manned and unmanned applications,
“disposable” defense data links, and our MIDS and MIDS-JTRS
terminals for military fighter jets.
Factors and Trends Affecting our Results of Operations
We believe that the performance of our business and our results of
operations in a given period are driven by various factors,
including:
•
the timing and impact of acquisitions, including our acquisitions
of RigNet and EBI in fiscal year 2022 and the Inmarsat Transaction,
as well as the payment of transaction consideration and the
incurrence of transaction and integration costs or additional
indebtedness in connection therewith (see the discussion below
under “Inmarsat Acquisition”);
•
the extent and stage of our satellite design, construction and
launch activities (as discussed further below), the associated
level of investment required, the impact of any construction or
launch delays or operational or launch failures, and the impact of
bringing newly launched satellites into commercial service and
associated ramp-up activities and costs (see the discussion below
under “Satellite-Related Activities”);
•
our ability to manage available bandwidth ahead of the ViaSat-3
global constellation entering service;
•
our ability to maintain the health, capacity, control and level of
service of our satellite fleet, or the existence or occurrence of
any malfunctions or anomalies in or other disruptions to our
satellites;
•
changes in the levels of our R&D spending, including the
effects of associated tax credits;
•
seasonal effects related to the timing of contract awards, the
timing and availability of U.S. Government funding, and the timing
of product deliveries and customer acceptance in our government
systems segment, as well as subscriber activity for our fixed
broadband services related to traditional retail selling periods
and increased demand for IFC services from airline passengers
during peak holiday travel periods in our satellite services
segment;
•
the rate of growth in worldwide demand for mobile and fixed
broadband connectivity, including growth in number internet users,
applications and connected devices;
•
the rate of technological innovation and change in the industries
in which we operate, and the introduction of new competing
technologies, products and services by new and existing
competitors;
•
the marketing and pricing strategies of our competitors with
respect to competing technologies, products and
services;
•
our ability to implement (on a timely basis) our technology roadmap
and the associated investments and costs, as well as market
acceptance and the timing of availability of our new products and
services;
44
•
the timing, quantity and mix of products and services sold in each
of our segments;
•
the uptake of our in-flight services by commercial airlines and
number of aircraft retrofitted or installed with our IFC systems,
and the rate of revenue growth in our IFC-related businesses in our
satellite services and commercial networks segments resulting from
the normalization of or growth in global air traffic;
•
varying subscriber addition, churn and average revenue per user
(ARPU) rates for our fixed broadband businesses and mix of
wholesale and retail subscribers;
•
the complex and lengthy procurement process for most of our
commercial networks and government systems customers and potential
customers, and the impact of a failure to receive an expected order
or a deferral of an order to a later period, and the timing of
return to normalization of government acquisition processes that
were disrupted by COVID-19;
•
the difficulty in estimating costs over the life of a contract,
which may require adjustment in future periods, and the impact of
cost overruns on fixed-price development contracts;
•
the timing of customer payments under significant
contracts;
•
our reliance on a few significant customers, particularly agencies
of the U.S. Government, for a significant percentage of our
revenues, as a result of which the loss or decline in business with
any of these customers may negatively impact our revenue and
collectability of related accounts receivable;
•
our reliance on a global supply chain, including contract
manufacturers and single-source or limited groups of
suppliers;
•
one-time charges to operating income arising from items such as
acquisition costs and expenses, impairment of assets and write-offs
of assets related to customer non-payments or
obsolescence;
•
changes in laws, regulations and interpretations affecting our
business, including changes affecting spectrum availability or
permitted uses;
•
our ability to generate sufficient cash flows to repay our
indebtedness; and
•
the impact of public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
general economic and political conditions, and other trends that
affect the industries in which we operate.
See also “Business–Segments” in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a
discussion of what we believe to be key drivers for future growth
in each of our segments.
COVID-19
In March 2020, the global outbreak of COVID-19 was declared a
pandemic by the World Health Organization and a national emergency
by the U.S. Government. The COVID-19 pandemic and attempts to
contain it, such as mandatory closures, “shelter-in-place” orders
and travel restrictions, have caused significant disruptions and
adverse effects on U.S. and global economies, including impacts to
supply chains, customer demand and financial markets. We have taken
measures to protect the health and safety of our employees and to
work with our customers, employees, suppliers, subcontractors,
distributors, resellers and communities to address the disruptions
from the pandemic. Although our financial results for fiscal years
2021 and 2022 were impacted by the pandemic, the impact was not
material to our financial position, results of operations or cash
flows in such periods, with continued negative impacts particularly
in our commercial aviation business offset by strong demand in our
fixed broadband services business and other parts of our business.
We continue to expect our diversified businesses to provide
resiliency in fiscal year 2023.
The extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business
in fiscal year 2023 and beyond will depend on many factors,
including the duration and scope of the public health emergency,
the extent, duration and effectiveness of containment actions
taken, the extent of disruption to important global, regional and
local supply chains and economic markets, and the impact of the
pandemic on overall supply and demand, global air travel, consumer
confidence, discretionary spending levels and levels of economic
activity.
Inmarsat Acquisition
On November 8, 2021, we entered into a Purchase Agreement with the
Sellers to combine Viasat with Inmarsat. Pursuant to the Purchase
Agreement, we will purchase all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Inmarsat from the Sellers upon the terms and subject to
the conditions set forth therein. The total consideration payable
by us under the Purchase Agreement consists of $850.0 million in
cash, subject to adjustments (including for certain dividends, see
below), and approximately 46.36 million unregistered shares of our
common stock. In April 2022, Inmarsat paid a dividend of $299.3
million to the Sellers, resulting in a $299.3 million reduction in
the cash consideration payable by us at the
45
closing of the Inmarsat Transaction. Our board of directors has
unanimously approved the Purchase Agreement and the proposed
Inmarsat Transaction.
The closing of the Inmarsat Transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals and
clearances, and approval by our stockholders of the issuance of
shares in the Inmarsat Transaction and an amendment to our
certificate of incorporation to increase the number of shares of
our common stock authorized for issuance. The Purchase Agreement
contains certain termination rights for both us and certain of the
Sellers and further provides that, upon termination of the Purchase
Agreement under certain circumstances, we may be obligated to pay a
termination fee of up to $200.0 million or to reimburse certain
out-of-pocket expenses of certain Sellers up to $40.0
million.
We have obtained financing commitments for an additional $1.6
billion of new debt facilities in connection with the Inmarsat
Transaction (which may be secured and/or unsecured), which amount
excludes the commitments that were obtained with respect to the
$700.0 million Term Loan Facility that we entered into on March 4,
2022 to fund our standalone growth expenditures. In light of the
$299.3 million reduction in the cash purchase price payable in the
Inmarsat Transaction due to the dividend paid by Inmarsat to the
Sellers in April 2022, we currently expect to incur $1.3 billion of
additional indebtedness under these commitments. However, the total
amount of indebtedness incurred under these commitments may change,
including in the event available cash from other sources is higher
than expected. We also plan to assume $2.1 billion in principal
amount of Inmarsat senior secured bonds and the outstanding
indebtedness under Inmarsat’s $2.4 billion senior secured credit
facilities. In addition, we obtained commitments of $3.2 billion to
backstop certain amendments required under the Revolving Credit
Facility and Ex-Im Credit Facility and Inmarsat’s $2.4 billion
senior secured credit facilities, which amendments had been
obtained under the Revolving Credit Facility and Inmarsat’s $2.4
billion senior secured credit facilities as of the date of this
report.
We have incurred and expect to incur non-recurring costs associated
with the Inmarsat Transaction and combining the operations of the
two companies, as well as transaction fees and other costs related
to the Inmarsat Transaction. Based on information available as of
the date of this report, we currently estimate that Viasat may
incur approximately $250 million in Transaction costs (including
financing costs) through the closing of the Inmarsat Transaction,
including (but not limited to) fees paid to investment banking,
legal and accounting advisors, regulatory and public relations
advisors, rating agency fees, filing fees, printing costs and other
costs and expenses, although actual amounts could vary materially
from these estimates if future developments differ from the
underlying assumptions used by management in determining the
current estimate of these costs. A significant portion of these
transaction-related costs is contingent upon the closing of the
Inmarsat Transaction occurring, although some have been and will be
incurred regardless of whether the Inmarsat Transaction is
consummated. In addition, the combined company will also incur
significant restructuring and integration costs in connection with
the Inmarsat Transaction. The costs related to restructuring will
be expensed as a cost of the ongoing results of operations of
either us or the combined company. There are processes, policies,
procedures, operations, technologies and systems that must be
integrated in connection with the Inmarsat Transaction and the
integration of Inmarsat’s business. Based on information available
as of the date of this report, we currently estimate that we will
incur approximately $50 million in integration costs and
investments to realize synergies and efficiencies during each of
the first two years following the closing of the Inmarsat
Transaction. While we have assumed a certain level of expenses
would be incurred to integrate the two companies and achieve
synergies and efficiencies and we continue to assess the magnitude
of these costs, many of these expenses are, by their nature,
difficult to estimate accurately and there are many factors beyond
our control that could affect the total amount or timing of these
costs. Although we expect that the elimination of duplicative
costs, as well as the realization of strategic benefits, additional
income, synergies and other efficiencies, should allow the combined
company to offset integration-related costs over time, this net
benefit may not be achieved in the near term, or at all.
Other Acquisitions
On April 30, 2021, we completed our acquisition of the remaining
51% interest in EBI, a satellite broadband internet service
provider in EMEA, from Eutelsat. We paid approximately $167.0
million in cash, net of what is currently estimated to be an
immaterial amount of estimated purchase price consideration
(resulting in a cash outlay of approximately $51.0 million, net of
approximately $121.7 million of EBI’s cash on hand).
On April 30, 2021, we completed our acquisition of RigNet, a
leading provider of ultra-secure, intelligent networking solutions
and specialized applications. In connection with the acquisition,
we issued approximately 4.0 million shares of our common stock to
RigNet former shareholders, paid down $107.3 million of outstanding
borrowings of RigNet’s revolving credit facility,
paid a de minimis amount of cash in respect of fractional shares
and paid an insignificant amount of other consideration. We
retained approximately $20.6 million of RigNet’s cash on
hand.
Satellite-Related Activities
46
We expect to continue to invest in IR&D as we continue our
focus on leadership and innovation in satellite and space
technologies, including for the development of any new generation
satellite designs and next-generation satellite network solutions.
The level of our investment in a given fiscal year will depend on a
variety of factors, including the stage of development of our
satellite projects, new market opportunities and our overall
operating performance.
As we continue to build and expand our global network and satellite
fleet, from time to time we enter into satellite construction
agreements for the construction and purchase of additional
satellites and (depending on the satellite design) the integration
of our payload and technologies into the satellites. See Note 12 —
Commitments to our consolidated financial statements for
information as of March 31, 2022 regarding our future minimum
payments under our satellite construction contracts and other
satellite-related purchase commitments (including satellite
performance incentive obligations relating to the ViaSat-1 and
ViaSat-2 satellites) for the next five fiscal years and thereafter.
The total project cost to bring a new satellite into service will
depend, among other things, on the scope and timing of the earth
station infrastructure roll-out and the method used to procure
fiber or other access to the earth station infrastructure. Our
total cash funding of a satellite project may be reduced through
third-party agreements, such as potential joint service offerings
and other strategic partnering arrangements.
In connection with the launch of any new satellite and the
commencement of commercial service on the satellite, we expect to
incur additional operating costs that negatively impact our
financial results. For example, when ViaSat-2 was placed in service
in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, this resulted in
additional operating costs in our satellite services segment during
the ramp-up period prior to service launch and in the fiscal year
following service launch. These increased operating costs included
depreciation, amortization of capitalized software development,
earth station connectivity, marketing and advertising costs,
logistics, customer care and various support systems. In addition,
interest expense increased during fiscal year 2019 as we no longer
capitalized the interest expense relating to the debt incurred for
the construction of ViaSat-2 and the related gateway and networking
equipment once the satellite was in service. As services using the
new satellite scaled, however, our revenue base for broadband
services expanded and we gained operating cost efficiencies, which
together yielded incremental segment earnings contributions. In
addition, we may experience bandwidth supply constraints in the
lead-up to the commencement of commercial service on new
satellites. We anticipate that we will incur a similar cycle of
increased operating costs and constrained bandwidth supply as we
prepare for and launch commercial services on future satellites,
including our ViaSat-3 constellation, followed by increases in
revenue base and in scale. However, there can be no assurance that
we will be successful in significantly increasing revenues or
achieving or maintaining operating profit in our satellite services
segment, and any such gains may also be offset by investments in
our global business.
Russia and Ukraine
The invasion of Ukraine and the resulting sanctions imposed by the
United States and other countries on Russia have not had a material
impact on our business, and are not expected to have a material
impact on our cash flows, financial position or results of
operations. We do not have material assets, operations, investments
or human capital resources in Russia, Ukraine or Belarus and our
business does not rely on goods or services sourced in Russia,
Ukraine or Belarus. Prior to the invasion, we provided fixed
broadband services through a wholesale distributor to a very small
number of subscribers in Russia through our KA-SAT satellite. In
response to the invasion, we terminated these services. We have no
active fixed broadband customers in Russia, are not supplying new
products or services to customers located in Russia and have no
planned infrastructure projects in the country. Although we
continue to provide fixed broadband services to users in Ukraine
through our KA-SAT satellite, these services are provided by third
party wholesale distributors and we have limited exposure to
revenue generation in Ukraine. Revenues derived from Ukraine and
Russia were
de minimis
in amount for the year ended March 31, 2022.
However, the invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated inflationary and
supply chain issues, and may also worsen the current semiconductor
chip shortage (since Russia and Ukraine are both critical suppliers
of neon gas and palladium used in chip production) and increase
cybersecurity threats. While we do not currently anticipate
material delays or material increased costs due to these factors,
we cannot assure you that our business will not be materially
impaired by any of these factors in the future. The long-term
impacts of the conflict and the sanctions imposed on Russia remain
uncertain and will depend on future developments, and we continue
to monitor the evolving situation.
See “Risk Factors—Our Reputation and Business Could Be Materially
Harmed as a Result of Data Breaches, Data Theft, Unauthorized
Access or Hacking” in Part I, Item 1A of this report for a
discussion of a cyberattack that occurred on February 24, 2022
involving our KA-SAT network. The cyberattack and resulting loss of
service to certain fixed broadband customers in Europe and North
Africa had a
de minimis
impact on our revenues and results of operations for affected
periods and has not had a material impact on our business. Based on
our comprehensive investigation efforts to date, there is no
evidence that any end-user data or customer personal equipment was
accessed, nor is there any evidence that the KA-SAT satellite
itself or its supporting satellite ground infrastructure was
directly involved, impaired or
47
compromised. Since the incident, we have worked with the operator
of the affected partition of the KA-SAT network to implement
mitigation and recovery actions to restore network stability,
preserve continuing service for unaffected end-users and mitigate
or prevent similar attacks.
Sources of Revenues
Our satellite services segment revenues are primarily derived from
our fixed broadband services, in-flight services and energy
services (acquired through the RigNet acquisition).
Revenues in our commercial networks and government systems segments
are primarily derived from three types of contracts: fixed-price,
cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials contracts. Fixed-price
contracts (which require us to provide products and services under
a contract at a specified price) comprised approximately 90%, 89%
and 88% of our total revenues for these segments for fiscal years
2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The remainder of our revenues in
these segments for such periods was derived primarily from
cost-reimbursement contracts (under which we are reimbursed for all
actual costs incurred in performing the contract to the extent such
costs are within the contract ceiling and allowable under the terms
of the contract, plus a fee or profit) and from time-and-materials
contracts (which reimburse us for the number of labor hours
expended at an established hourly rate negotiated in the contract,
plus the cost of materials utilized in providing such products or
services).
Our ability to grow and maintain our revenues in our commercial
networks and government systems segments has to date depended on
our ability to identify and target markets where the customer
places a high priority on the technology solution, and our ability
to obtain additional sizable contract awards. Due to the nature of
this process, it is difficult to predict the probability and timing
of obtaining awards in these markets.
Historically, a significant portion of our revenues in our
commercial networks and government systems segments has been
derived from customer contracts that include the development of
products. The development efforts are conducted in direct response
to the customer’s specific requirements and, accordingly,
expenditures related to such efforts are included in cost of sales
when incurred and the related funding (which includes a profit
component) is included in revenues. Revenues for our funded
development from our customer contracts were approximately 23%, 23%
and 24% of our total revenues during fiscal years 2022, 2021 and
2020, respectively.
Approximately 15%, 9% and 11% of our total revenues in fiscal years
2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively, were derived from international
sales. Doing business internationally creates additional risks
related to global political and economic conditions and other
factors identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item
1A and elsewhere in this report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations discusses our consolidated financial
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP). The preparation of these financial statements requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during
the reporting period. We consider the policies discussed below to
be critical to an understanding of our financial statements because
their application places the most significant demands on
management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on
estimation about the effect of matters that are inherently
uncertain. We describe the specific risks for these critical
accounting policies in the following paragraphs. For all of these
policies, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as
forecast, and even the best estimates routinely require
adjustment.
Revenue recognition
We apply the five-step revenue recognition model under Accounting
Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with
Customers (commonly referred to as Accounting Standards
Codification (ASC) 606) to our contracts with our customers. Under
this model, we (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2)
identify our performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine
the transaction price for the contract, (4) allocate the
transaction price to our performance obligations and (5) recognize
revenue when or as we satisfy our performance obligations. These
performance obligations generally include the purchase of services
(including broadband capacity and the leasing of broadband
equipment), the purchase of products, and the development and
delivery of complex equipment built to customer specifications
under long-term contracts.
The timing of satisfaction of performance obligations may require
judgment. We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from
contracts with customers for services, primarily consisting of
connectivity services. These contracts typically require advance or
recurring monthly payments by the customer. Our obligation to
provide connectivity services
48
is satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and
consumes the benefits provided. The measure of progress over time
is based upon either a period of time (e.g., over the estimated
contractual term) or usage (e.g., bandwidth used/bytes of data
processed). We evaluate whether broadband equipment provided to our
customer as part of the delivery of connectivity services
represents a lease in accordance with ASC 842. As discussed in Note
1 – The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting
Policies – Leases to our consolidated financial statements, for
broadband equipment leased to fixed broadband customers in
conjunction with the delivery of connectivity services, we account
for the lease and non-lease components of connectivity services
arrangement as a single performance obligation as the connectivity
services represent the predominant component.
We also derive a portion of our revenues from contracts with
customers to provide products. Performance obligations to provide
products are satisfied at the point in time when control is
transferred to the customer. These contracts typically require
payment by the customer upon passage of control and determining the
point at which control is transferred may require judgment. To
identify the point at which control is transferred to the customer,
we consider indicators that include, but are not limited to,
whether (1) we have the present right to payment for the asset, (2)
the customer has legal title to the asset, (3) physical possession
of the asset has been transferred to the customer, (4) the customer
has the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the asset,
and (5) the customer has accepted the asset. For product revenues,
control generally passes to the customer upon delivery of goods to
the customer.
The vast majority of our revenues from long-term contracts to
develop and deliver complex equipment built to customer
specifications are derived from contracts with the U.S. Government
(including foreign military sales contracted through the U.S.
Government). Our contracts with the U.S. Government typically are
subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and are priced
based on estimated or actual costs of producing goods or providing
services. The FAR provides guidance on the types of costs that are
allowable in establishing prices for goods and services provided
under U.S. Government contracts. The pricing for non-U.S.
Government contracts is based on the specific negotiations with
each customer. Under the typical payment terms of our U.S.
Government fixed-price contracts, the customer pays us either
performance-based payments (PBPs) or progress payments. PBPs are
interim payments based on quantifiable measures of performance or
on the achievement of specified events or milestones. Progress
payments are interim payments based on a percentage of the costs
incurred as the work progresses. Because the customer can often
retain a portion of the contract price until completion of the
contract, our U.S. Government fixed-price contracts generally
result in revenue recognized in excess of billings which we present
as unbilled accounts receivable on the balance sheet. Amounts
billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables on
the balance sheet. The portion of the payments retained by the
customer until final contract settlement is not considered a
significant financing component because the intent is to protect
the customer. For our U.S. Government cost-type contracts, the
customer generally pays us for our actual costs incurred within a
short period of time. For non-U.S. Government contracts, we
typically receive interim payments as work progresses, although for
some contracts, we may be entitled to receive an advance payment.
We recognize a liability for these advance payments in excess of
revenue recognized and present it as collections in excess of
revenues and deferred revenues on the balance sheet. An advance
payment is not typically considered a significant financing
component because it is used to meet working capital demands that
can be higher in the early stages of a contract and to protect us
from the other party failing to adequately complete some or all of
its obligations under the contract.
Performance obligations related to developing and delivering
complex equipment built to customer specifications under long-term
contracts are recognized over time as these performance obligations
do not create assets with an alternative use to us and we have an
enforceable right to payment for performance to date. To measure
the transfer of control, revenue is recognized based on the extent
of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. The
selection of the method to measure progress towards completion
requires judgment and is based on the nature of the products or
services to be provided. We generally use the cost-to-cost measure
of progress for our contracts because that best depicts the
transfer of control to the customer which occurs as we incur costs
on our contracts. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the
extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the
ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at
completion of the performance obligation. Estimating the total
costs at completion of a performance obligation requires management
to make estimates related to items such as subcontractor
performance, material costs and availability, labor costs and
productivity and the costs of overhead. When estimates of total
costs to be incurred on a contract exceed total estimates of
revenue to be earned, a provision for the entire loss on the
contract is recognized in the period the loss is determined. A one
percent variance in our future cost estimates on open fixed-price
contracts as of March 31, 2022 would change our income (loss)
before income taxes by an insignificant amount.
The evaluation of transaction price, including the amounts
allocated to performance obligations, may require significant
judgments. Due to the nature of the work required to be performed
on many of our performance obligations, the estimation of total
revenue, and where applicable the cost at completion, is complex,
subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. Our
contracts may contain award fees, incentive fees, or other
provisions, including the potential for significant financing
components, that can either increase or decrease the transaction
price. These amounts,
49
which are sometimes variable, can be dictated by performance
metrics, program milestones or cost targets, the timing of
payments, and customer discretion. We estimate variable
consideration at the amount to which we expect to be entitled. We
include estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent it
is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue
recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the
variable consideration is resolved. Our estimates of variable
consideration and determination of whether to include estimated
amounts in the transaction price are based largely on an assessment
of our anticipated performance and all information (historical,
current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to us. In the
event an agreement includes embedded financing components, we
recognize interest expense or interest income on the embedded
financing components using the effective interest method. This
methodology uses an implied interest rate which reflects the
incremental borrowing rate which would be expected to be obtained
in a separate financing transaction. We have elected the practical
expedient not to adjust the promised amount of consideration for
the effects of a significant financing component if we expect, at
contract inception, that the period between when we transfer a
promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays
for that good or service will be one year or less.
If a contract is separated into more than one performance
obligation, the total transaction price is allocated to each
performance obligation in an amount based on the estimated relative
standalone selling prices of the promised goods or services
underlying each performance obligation. Estimating standalone
selling prices may require judgment. When available, we utilize the
observable price of a good or service when we sell that good or
service separately in similar circumstances and to similar
customers. If a standalone selling price is not directly
observable, we estimate the standalone selling price by considering
all information (including market conditions, specific factors, and
information about the customer or class of customer) that is
reasonably available.
Deferred costs to obtain or fulfill contract
Under ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs – Contracts with
Customers, we recognize an asset from the incremental costs of
obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect to recover those
costs. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those
costs that we incur to obtain a contract with a customer that we
would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained. ASC
340-40 also requires the recognition of an asset from the costs
incurred to fulfill a contract when (1) the costs relate directly
to a contract or to an anticipated contract that we can
specifically identify, (2) the costs generate or enhance our
resources that will be used in satisfying (or in continuing to
satisfy) performance obligations in the future, and (3) the costs
are expected to be recovered. We recognize an asset related to
commission costs incurred primarily in our satellite services
segment and recognize an asset related to costs incurred to fulfill
contracts. Costs to acquire customer contracts are amortized over
the estimated customer contract life. Costs to fulfill customer
contracts are amortized in proportion to the revenue to which the
costs relate. For contracts with an estimated amortization period
of less than one year, we expense incremental costs
immediately.
Warranty reserves
We provide limited warranties on our products for periods of up to
five years. We record a liability for our warranty obligations when
we ship the products or they are included in long-term construction
contracts based upon an estimate of expected warranty costs.
Amounts expected to be incurred within 12 months are classified as
accrued liabilities and amounts expected to be incurred beyond 12
months are classified as other liabilities in the consolidated
financial statements. For mature products, we estimate the warranty
costs based on historical experience with the particular product.
For newer products that do not have a history of warranty costs, we
base our estimates on our experience with the technology involved
and the types of failures that may occur. It is possible that our
underlying assumptions will not reflect the actual experience, and,
in that case, we will make future adjustments to the recorded
warranty obligation.
Property, equipment and satellites
Property, equipment and satellites, net includes our owned and
leased satellites and the associated earth stations and networking
equipment, as well as the customer premise equipment units which
are leased to subscribers under a retail leasing program as part of
our satellite services segment.
Satellites and other property and equipment are recorded at cost or
in the case of certain satellites and other property acquired, the
fair value at the date of acquisition, net of accumulated
depreciation. Capitalized satellite costs consist primarily of the
costs of satellite construction and launch, including launch
insurance and insurance during the period of in-orbit testing, the
net present value of performance incentive payments expected to be
payable to the satellite manufacturers (dependent on the continued
satisfactory performance of the satellites), costs directly
associated with the monitoring and support of satellite
construction, and interest costs incurred during the period of
satellite construction. We also construct earth stations, network
operations systems and other assets to support our satellites, and
those construction costs, including interest, are capitalized as
incurred. At the time satellites are placed in service, we estimate
the useful life of our satellites for depreciation purposes based
upon an analysis of each satellite’s performance against
50
the original manufacturer’s orbital design life, estimated fuel
levels and related consumption rates, as well as historical
satellite operating trends. We periodically review the remaining
estimated useful life of our satellites to determine if revisions
to the estimated useful lives are necessary.
Leases
For contracts entered into on or after April 1, 2019, we assess at
contract inception whether the contract is, or contains, a lease.
Generally, we determine that a lease exists when (1) the contract
involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (2) we obtain the
right to substantially all economic benefits from use of the asset,
and (3) we have the right to direct the use of the asset. A lease
is classified as a finance lease when one or more of the following
criteria are met: (1) the lease transfers ownership of the asset by
the end of the lease term, (2) the lease contains an option to
purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, (3)
the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of
the asset, (4) the present value of the lease payments equals or
exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset or (5) the
asset is of such a specialized nature that it is expected to have
no alternative use to the lessor at the end of the lease term. A
lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any
of these criteria.
At the lease commencement date, we recognize a right-of-use asset
and a lease liability for all leases, except short-term leases with
an original term of 12 months or less. The right-of-use asset
represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term.
The lease liability represents the present value of the lease
payments under the lease. The right-of-use asset is initially
measured at cost, which primarily comprises the initial amount of
the lease liability, less any lease incentives received. All
right-of-use assets are periodically reviewed for impairment in
accordance with standards that apply to long-lived assets. The
lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the
lease payments, discounted using an estimate of our incremental
borrowing rate for a collateralized loan with the same term as the
underlying leases.
Lease payments included in the measurement of lease liabilities
consist of (1) fixed lease payments for the noncancelable lease
term, (2) fixed lease payments for optional renewal periods where
it is reasonably certain the renewal option will be exercised, and
(3) variable lease payments that depend on an underlying index or
rate, based on the index or rate in effect at lease commencement.
Certain of our real estate lease agreements require variable lease
payments that do not depend on an underlying index or rate
established at lease commencement. Such payments and changes in
payments based on a rate or index are recognized in operating
expenses when incurred.
Lease expense for operating leases consists of the fixed lease
payments recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term
plus variable lease payments as incurred. Lease expense for finance
leases consists of the depreciation of assets obtained under
finance leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term and
interest expense on the lease liability based on the discount rate
at lease commencement. For both operating and finance leases, lease
payments are allocated between a reduction of the lease liability
and interest expense.
For broadband equipment leased to fixed broadband customers in
conjunction with the delivery of connectivity services, we have
made an accounting policy election not to separate the broadband
equipment from the related connectivity services. The connectivity
services are the predominant component of these arrangements. The
connectivity services are accounted for in accordance ASC 606. We
are also a lessor for certain insignificant communications
equipment. These leases meet the criteria for operating lease
classification. Lease income associated with these leases is not
material.
Business combinations
The purchase price for business combinations is allocated to the
estimated fair values of acquired tangible and intangible assets,
including goodwill, and assumed liabilities, where applicable.
Additionally, we recognize technology, contracts and customer
relationships, satellite co-location rights, trade names and other
as identifiable intangible assets, which are recorded at fair value
as of the transaction date. Goodwill is recorded when consideration
transferred exceeds the fair value of identifiable assets and
liabilities. Measurement-period adjustments to assets acquired and
liabilities assumed with a corresponding offset to goodwill are
recorded in the period they occur, which may include up to one year
from the acquisition date. Contingent consideration is recorded at
fair value at the acquisition date.
Impairment of long-lived and other long-term assets (property,
equipment and satellites, and other assets, including
goodwill)
In accordance with the authoritative guidance for impairment or
disposal of long-lived assets (ASC 360), we assess potential
impairments to our long-lived assets, including property, equipment
and satellites and other assets, when there is evidence that events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may
not be recoverable. We recognize an impairment loss when the
undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset (or
group of assets) are less than the asset’s carrying value. Any
required impairment loss would be measured as the amount
by
51
which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, and would
be recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related
asset and charged to results of operations. No material impairments
were recorded by us for fiscal years 2022, 2021 and
2020.
We account for our goodwill under the authoritative guidance for
goodwill and other intangible assets (ASC 350) and the provisions
of ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which
we early adopted in fiscal year 2020. Current authoritative
guidance allows us to first assess qualitative factors to determine
whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill
impairment test. If, after completing the qualitative assessment,
we determine that it is more likely than not that the estimated
fair value is greater than the carrying value, we conclude that no
impairment exists. Alternatively, if we determine in the
qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not that the
fair value is less than its carrying value, then we perform a
quantitative goodwill impairment test to identify both the
existence of an impairment and the amount of impairment loss, by
comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying
amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the
reporting unit is less than the carrying value, then a goodwill
impairment charge will be recognized in the amount by which the
carrying amount exceeds the fair value, limited to the total amount
of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. We test goodwill for
impairment during the fourth quarter every fiscal year and when an
event occurs or circumstances change such that it is reasonably
possible that an impairment may exist.
In accordance with ASC 350, we assess qualitative factors to
determine whether goodwill is impaired. The qualitative analysis
includes assessing the impact of changes in certain factors
including: (1) changes in forecasted operating results and
comparing actual results to projections, (2) changes in the
industry or our competitive environment since the acquisition date,
(3) changes in the overall economy, our market share and market
interest rates since the acquisition date, (4) trends in the stock
price and related market capitalization and enterprise values, (5)
trends in peer companies’ total enterprise value metrics, and (6)
additional factors such as management turnover, changes in
regulation and changes in litigation matters.
Based on our qualitative assessment performed during the fourth
quarter of fiscal year 2022, we concluded that it was more likely
than not that the estimated fair value of our reporting units
exceeded their carrying value as of March 31, 2022, and therefore,
determined it was not necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill
impairment test.
Income taxes and valuation allowance on deferred tax
assets
Management evaluates the realizability of our deferred tax assets
and assesses the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly
basis to determine if the weight of available evidence suggests
that an additional valuation allowance is needed. In accordance
with the authoritative guidance for income taxes (ASC 740), net
deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based
on all the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some
or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In the
event that our estimate of taxable income is less than that
required to utilize the full amount of any deferred tax asset, a
valuation allowance is established, which would cause a decrease to
income in the period such determination is made. Our valuation
allowance against deferred tax assets increased from $47.1 million
at March 31, 2021 to $78.1 million at March 31, 2022. The valuation
allowance relates to state and foreign net operating loss
carryforwards, state R&D tax credit carryforwards and foreign
tax credit carryforwards.
Our analysis of the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax
assets considered historical as well as forecasted future operating
results. In addition, our evaluation considered other factors,
including our contractual backlog, our history of positive
earnings, current earnings trends assuming our satellite services
segment continues to grow, taxable income adjusted for certain
items, and forecasted income by jurisdiction. We also considered
the period over which these net deferred tax assets can be realized
and our history of not having federal tax loss carryforwards expire
unused.
Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance
with the authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in
income taxes (ASC 740). Under the authoritative guidance, we may
recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it
is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on
examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical
merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the
financial statements from such a position should be measured based
on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of
being realized upon ultimate settlement. The authoritative guidance
addresses the derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities,
classification of deferred income tax assets and liabilities,
accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax
positions, and income tax disclosures.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous
foreign jurisdictions. In the ordinary course of business, there
are calculations and transactions where the ultimate tax
determination is uncertain. In addition, changes in tax laws and
regulations as well as adverse judicial rulings could adversely
affect the income tax provision. We believe we have adequately
provided for income tax issues not yet resolved with federal, state
and foreign tax authorities. However, if these provided amounts
prove to be more than what is necessary, the reversal of the
reserves would result in tax benefits
52
being recognized in the period in which we determine that provision
for the liabilities is no longer necessary. If an ultimate tax
assessment exceeds our estimate of tax liabilities, an additional
charge to expense would result.
Results of Operations
The following table presents, as a percentage of total revenues,
income statement data for the periods indicated:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
March 31,
2020
|
|
Revenues:
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
|
|
100.0
|
%
|
Product revenues
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
Service revenues
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
Operating expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of product revenues
|
|
|
33
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
37
|
|
Cost of service revenues
|
|
|
37
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
33
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
|
24
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
|
23
|
|
Independent research and development
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Income from operations
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
Interest expense, net
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
(Loss) income before income taxes
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
(—
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
Net (loss) income
|
|
|
(—
|
)
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
Net (loss) income attributable to Viasat, Inc.
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Fiscal Year 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year 2021
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Product revenues
|
|
$
|
1,210.4
|
|
|
$
|
1,044.5
|
|
|
$
|
166.0
|
|
|
|
16
|
%
|
Service revenues
|
|
|
1,577.2
|
|
|
|
1,211.7
|
|
|
|
365.6
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Total revenues
|
|
$
|
2,787.6
|
|
|
$
|
2,256.1
|
|
|
$
|
531.5
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
Our total revenues increased by $531.5 million as a result of a
$365.6 million increase in service revenues and a $166.0 million
increase in product revenues. The service revenue increase was due
to increases of $319.9 million in our satellite services segment,
$29.1 million in our government systems segment and $16.6 million
in our commercial networks segment. The product revenue increase
was driven primarily by an increase of $174.6 million in our
commercial networks segment, partially offset by an $8.6 million
decrease in our government systems segment.
Cost of revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Cost of product revenues
|
|
$
|
914.3
|
|
|
$
|
774.9
|
|
|
$
|
139.4
|
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
Cost of service revenues
|
|
|
1,025.8
|
|
|
|
789.4
|
|
|
|
236.4
|
|
|
|
30
|
%
|
Total cost of revenues
|
|
$
|
1,940.1
|
|
|
$
|
1,564.3
|
|
|
$
|
375.8
|
|
|
|
24
|
%
|
Cost of revenues increased by $375.8 million due to an increase of
$236.4 million in cost of service revenues and $139.4 million in
cost of product revenues. The cost of service revenue increase was
primarily due to increased service revenues, mainly from our
satellite services segment, causing a $238.2 million increase in
cost of service revenues on a constant margin basis. The cost of
product revenue increase was mainly due to increased product
revenues, causing a $123.1 million increase in cost of product
revenues on a constant margin basis, mainly from our commercial
networks segment. The remainder of the increase in cost of product
revenues was due to lower margins, primarily driven by
cybersecurity and information assurance products in our government
systems segment.
53
Selling, general and administrative expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Selling, general and administrative
|
|
$
|
657.3
|
|
|
$
|
512.3
|
|
|
$
|
144.9
|
|
|
|
28
|
%
|
The $144.9 million increase in selling, general and administrative
(SG&A) expenses reflected an increase in support costs of $97.7
million, driven primarily by support costs related to RigNet, as
well as acquisition-related expenses of approximately $34.0 million
primarily related to the Inmarsat Transaction. The increase in
SG&A expenses was also driven by $43.7 million of higher
selling costs, reflected primarily in our satellite services
segment, but was also reflected across our two other segments.
SG&A expenses consisted primarily of personnel costs and
expenses for business development, marketing and sales, bid and
proposal, facilities, finance, contract administration and general
management.
Independent research and development
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Independent research and development
|
|
$
|
153.2
|
|
|
$
|
115.8
|
|
|
$
|
37.4
|
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
The $37.4 million increase in IR&D expenses was mainly the
result of an increase of $24.3 million in IR&D efforts in our
commercial networks segment (primarily related to next-generation
satellite payload technologies and mobile broadband satellite
communication systems) and a $14.1 million increase in our
government systems segment (primarily related to the development of
next-generation dual band mobility solutions and the advancement of
integrated government satellite communications
platforms).
Amortization of acquired intangible assets
We amortize our acquired intangible assets from prior acquisitions
over their estimated useful lives, which range from two to 20
years. The $23.2 million increase in amortization of acquired
intangible assets in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021
was primarily related to the amortization of new intangibles
acquired as a result of the acquisition of RigNet and of the
remaining 51% interest in EBI in April 2021. Expected amortization
expense for acquired intangible assets for each of the following
periods is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization
|
|
|
|
(In thousands)
|
|
Expected for fiscal year 2023
|
|
$
|
31,383
|
|
Expected for fiscal year 2024
|
|
|
30,002
|
|
Expected for fiscal year 2025
|
|
|
27,880
|
|
Expected for fiscal year 2026
|
|
|
26,366
|
|
Expected for fiscal year 2027
|
|
|
25,805
|
|
Thereafter
|
|
|
94,607
|
|
|
|
$
|
236,043
|
|
Interest income
Interest income for fiscal year 2022 was relatively flat compared
to fiscal year 2021.
Interest expense
The $3.3 million decrease in interest expense in fiscal year 2022
compared to fiscal year 2021 was primarily due to an increase in
the amount of interest capitalized compared to the prior year
period. This decrease in interest expense was partially offset by
the addition of interest expense related to the 2028 Notes, which
were issued in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, and interest
expense related to the Term Loan Facility which was entered into on
March 4, 2022.
Income taxes
The income tax benefit in fiscal year 2022 primarily reflected the
benefit of federal and state R&D tax credits, the reversal of a
deferred tax liability recorded for EBI’s outside basis difference
upon assertion made during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 to
indefinitely reinvest future earnings offset by tax expense for
non-deductible compensation and the tax expense for tax
deficiencies upon settlement of stock-based compensation during the
period. The income tax provision in fiscal year 2021 primarily
reflected the tax expense from our income before income taxes, the
tax expense for
54
tax deficiencies upon settlement of stock-based compensation during
the period, and non-deductible compensation, partially offset by
benefit from federal and state R&D tax
credits.
Segment Results for Fiscal Year 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year
2021
Satellite services segment
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Segment product revenues
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
%
|
Segment service revenues
|
|
|
1,188.8
|
|
|
|
868.9
|
|
|
|
319.9
|
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
Total segment revenues
|
|
$
|
1,188.8
|
|
|
$
|
868.9
|
|
|
$
|
319.9
|
|
|
|
37
|
%
|
Our satellite services segment revenues increased by $319.9 million
due to an increase in service revenues. The increase in service
revenues was primarily attributable to the acquisition of RigNet in
the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, as well as increases in our
in-flight services and fixed broadband businesses. The acquisition
of RigNet contributed approximately $154.5 million of service
revenues in fiscal year 2022. The increase in in-flight service
revenue of $106.0 million was driven primarily by an increase in
the number of commercial aircraft receiving our in-flight services
through our IFC systems, as the number of aircraft in service
increased, passenger air traffic continued to increase and aircraft
that were previously inactive as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
continued to return to service. The increase in fixed broadband
service revenues was primarily attributable to the acquisition of
the remaining 51% interest in EBI, which also closed during the
first quarter of fiscal year 2022, with EBI contributing
approximately $38.5 million of service revenues in fiscal year
2022.
Segment operating profit
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Segment operating profit
|
|
$
|
42.9
|
|
|
$
|
35.9
|
|
|
$
|
7.0
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
Percentage of segment revenues
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The $7.0 million increase in our satellite services segment
operating profit was driven primarily by higher earnings
contributions of $100.3 million, primarily due to an increase in
revenues and improved margins from our in-flight services as the
business continued to scale. The increase in our satellite services
segment operating profit was partially offset by higher SG&A
costs of $94.3 million (mainly attributable to RigNet, which was
acquired during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, as well as
acquisition-related expenses related to the Inmarsat
Transaction).
Commercial networks segment
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
Segment product revenues
|
|
$
|
443.4
|
|
|
$
|
268.8
|
|
|
$
|
174.6
|
|
|
|
65
|
%
|
Segment service revenues
|
|
|
68.7
|
|
|
|
52.0
|
|
|
|
16.6
|
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
Total segment revenues
|
|
$
|
512.1
|
|
|
$
|
320.9
|
|
|
$
|
191.2
|
|
|
|
60
|
%
|
Our commercial networks segment revenues increased by $191.2
million, due to a $174.6 million increase in product revenues and a
$16.6 million increase in service revenues. The increase in product
revenues was primarily due to increases of $112.1 million in mobile
broadband satellite communication systems products due to increased
IFC terminal deliveries as passenger air traffic continued to
increase compared to the severe decline in passenger traffic in the
prior year period as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was
also an increase of $52.5 million in antenna systems products and
$25.7 million in RigNet products, partially offset by a $14.8
million decrease in fixed satellite networks products. The increase
in service revenues was primarily driven by an increase in mobile
broadband satellite communication services.
55
Segment operating loss
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
(Increase)
Decrease
|
|
|
(Increase)
Decrease
|
|
Segment operating loss
|
|
$
|
(180.3
|
)
|
|
$
|
(180.7
|
)
|
|
$
|
0.5
|
|
|
|
0
|
%
|
Percentage of segment revenues
|
|
|
(35
|
)%
|
|
|
(56
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our commercial networks segment operating loss decreased by an
insignificant amount year-over-year. The decrease in operating loss
was driven primarily by higher earnings contributions of $38.0
million, driven by increased revenues and improved margins from our
mobile broadband satellite communication systems products. The
decrease in commercial networks segment operating loss was offset
by a $24.3 million increase in IR&D expenses (primarily related
to next-generation satellite payload technologies and mobile
broadband satellite communication systems) and a $13.3 million
increase in SG&A expenses (primarily related to higher support
costs).
Government systems segment
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
|
Percentage
|
|
(In millions, except percentages)
|
|
March 31,
2022
|
|
|
March 31,
2021
|
|
|
Increase
(Decrease)
|
|
|