ViaSat Looks To Add Frequency Band as In-flight Connectivity Demand Grows

ViaSat wants to add the 28.1-28.35 GHz uplink band to its aeronautical earth station blanket license, it said in an FCC International Bureau filing posted Wednesday. ViaSat said its current Ka-band license authorizes use of frequencies including 28.35-291 GHz and 29.5-30 GHz for uplinks and 18.3-19.3 GHz and 19.7-20.2 GHz for downlinks. The application to add 28.1-28.35 GHz would be for the aeronautical earth stations' operations with ViaSat-1 at 115.1 degrees west, ViaSat said. The company said the additional band is needed to meet growing demand for its in-flight connectivity services.