LiveTV and ViaSat Announce Second Domestic Airline to Select Ka-band for Connectivity

MELBOURNE, Fla., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways (JBLU), has signed a letter of intent with Continental Airlines, a subsidiary of United Continental Holdings, to provide Ka-band airborne connectivity. LiveTV expects to install the new service on Continental's fleet of more than 200 Boeing 737 and 757 aircraft beginning in 2012.  As planned, the installation would provide Continental passengers with more than 95 channels of live television programming and the fastest and most advanced airborne Internet access, provided by ViaSat.

"We are excited about adding Continental to our Ka-band launch customers," said Glenn Latta, President of LiveTV. "Their decision to select the LiveTV - ViaSat Ka-band system will truly provide an 'at home in the air' experience for Continental passengers."

The first aircraft is expected to launch following JetBlue's introduction of the next generation ViaSat-1 broadband network to the commercial aviation market in 2012. ViaSat and JetBlue entered into an MOU in September of 2010 for the provision of in-flight broadband access and other services for customers on the JetBlue fleet of more than 160 aircraft using advanced ViaSat Ka-band satellites. 

"The addition of Continental Airlines to the LiveTV - ViaSat Ka-band service network further validates the value of real in-flight broadband," said Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO of ViaSat. "We believe our unique in-flight broadband offering will enable the most compelling passenger experience while delivering economics that work for our customers.  LiveTV understands these advantages and is in a great position to convey that message to its customer base and the industry in general."

The letter of intent with LiveTV provides the framework for a definitive agreement to be negotiated with LiveTV.  

About LiveTV

LiveTV is the world's leading provider of live in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial airlines. Founded in 1998 in Melbourne, Florida, LiveTV has installation and maintenance locations around the world to support the more than 700 aircraft equipped with its products. Current customers include JetBlue, Continental, Frontier, AirTran, Alitalia, Virgin Blue, WestJet and Azul. For a full listing of products and partners, or for more information, please visit www.livetv.net.  LiveTV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways.

About ViaSat

ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to virtually any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP applications; is a key supplier of network-centric military communications and encryption technologies and products to the U.S. and allied governments; is the primary technology partner for gateway and customer-premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite broadband services; and owns WildBlue, the premier Ka-band satellite broadband service provider. Based in Carlsbad, Calif., ViaSat has established a number of worldwide locations for customer service, network operations, and technology development.

SOURCE LiveTV