CARLSBAD, Calif., Nov. 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Popular Science has named the ViaSat-1 high-capacity satellite system, including Exede^® Internet service for the home, as a Best of What's New Award winner for 2012.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20091216/VIASATLOGO)

Each year, Popular Science reviews thousands of new products and innovations and chooses the top 100 winners across 12 categories for inclusion in the annual Best of What's New issue, the best-read issue of the year. To win, a product or technology must represent a significant step forward in its category.  All of the winners are featured in this December's special issue, on newsstands now.

ViaSat-1, the highest capacity satellite in the world, is part of a system that is transforming the economics and quality of service that satellite broadband can provide. The technology is elevating satellite into a much more competitive position in the broadband service marketplace with approximately 40% of new Exede Internet subscribers switching from slower DSL and wireless services. Exede Internet is four times faster than average DSL speed according to an FCC Broadband study, and eight times faster than traditional satellite Internet service. ViaSat-1 is now hosting service for nearly 150,000 Exede Internet households after its first six months in operation.

"For 25 years, Popular Science has honored the innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that make a positive impact on our world today and challenge our view of what's possible in the future," said Jacob Ward, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. "The Best of What's New Award is the magazine's top honor, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of entrants – each a revolution in its field."

"This is a great honor that adds to the very positive feedback we're seeing in the marketplace for the new brand of high-speed satellite services that ViaSat-1 is enabling," said Mark Dankberg, chairman and CEO of ViaSat. "The conceptualizing, design, building, and launch of the system took an extraordinary effort by so many of our people and this award is a great testimony to what they accomplished."

About ViaSat (www.viasat.com)
ViaSat delivers fast, secure communications, Internet, and network access to virtually any location for consumers, governments, enterprise, and the military. The company offers fixed and mobile satellite network services including Exede by ViaSat, which features ViaSat-1, the world's highest capacity satellite; service to more than 1,750 mobile platforms, including Yonder® Ku-band mobile Internet; satellite broadband networking systems; and network-centric military communication systems and cyber security products for the U.S. and allied governments. ViaSat also offers communication system design and a number of complementary products and technologies. Based in Carlsbad, California, ViaSat has established a number of locations worldwide for customer service, network operations, and technology development.

Safe Harbor Statement                                                                
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include statements about the speed of Exede Internet. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include the ability to successfully develop, introduce, and sell new products and enhancements; contractual problems; product defects; manufacturing issues or delays; regulatory issues; technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; increased competition; and other factors affecting the communications industry generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including ViaSat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Exede is a registered service mark of ViaSat Inc.

SOURCE ViaSat Inc.