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VIASAT INC (VSAT) FY 2025 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from VIASAT INC's 10-K for fiscal year 2025. Filing date: 2025-05-27. Report date: 2025-03-31. Accession: 0000950170-25-077138.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Confidence: high.

Company profile: VSAT · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2024 · Next year: FY 2026

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Company Overview

We are an innovative, global provider of communications technologies and services, focused on making connectivity accessible, available and secure for current and future customers worldwide. By leveraging our own satellite fleet and its advantages, existing national operator partnerships, plus coverage and capacity from leading third-party satellites and constellations, our services are designed to provide customers with the essential capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need. Our end-to-end multi-band platform of satellites, ground infrastructure and user terminals enables us to provide a wide array of cost-effective, high-quality broadband, narrowband and other connectivity solutions to aviation, maritime, enterprise, consumer, military and government users around the globe, whether on the ground, in the air or at sea. In addition, our government business includes a portfolio of communications gateways; situational awareness and command and control products and services; satellite communication products and services across various frequency bands; and cybersecurity and information assurance products and services. We believe that our diversification strategy—anchored in a broad portfolio of customer-centric products and services and supported by our fleet of broadband and narrowband satellites—our vertical integration 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 two segments: communication services and defense and advanced technologies. We changed our segment reporting structure at the beginning of fiscal year 2025, and accordingly our results of operations for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 have been recast to reflect this new reporting structure in this report.

Communication Services

Our communication services segment provides a wide range of broadband and narrowband communications solutions across government and commercial mobility markets, as well as for residential and enterprise fixed broadband customers. In addition, this segment includes the development and sale of a wide array of advanced satellite and wireless products and terminals that support or enable the provision of fixed and mobile broadband and narrowband services. We design, develop and produce space system solutions for multiple orbital regimes, including GEO, MEO and LEO.

The following are the primary business lines in our communication services segment:


Aviation, which includes industry-leading IFC services, narrowband safety operational data services and other complementary services and applications for commercial aircraft, business jets and unmanned aircraft.


Government satcom, which includes various broadband and narrowband products and services for both fixed and mobile communications that provide military and government users with secure, high-speed, real-time broadband and multimedia connectivity in key regions of the world, as well as tactical line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communications, ISR services and LACE terminals.


Maritime, which includes high-quality, resilient satellite-based broadband and narrowband communications services around the globe to commercial shipping fleets, offshore service vessel operators and commercial fishing companies, as well as NexusWave, a fully managed multi-layer connectivity service for merchant shipping companies.


Fixed services and other, which includes high-speed, high-quality, reliable fixed broadband internet services to businesses and residential users (primarily in the United States as well as in various countries in Europe and Latin America), enterprise connectivity solutions, IoT and other narrowband services (such as L-band managed services that enable real-time M2M position or high-value asset tracking), energy services, and prepaid internet services that provide innovative, affordable, satellite-based connectivity in communities that have little or no access to the internet.

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Defense and Advanced Technologies

Our defense and advanced technologies segment develops and offers a diverse array of resilient, vertically integrated solutions to government and commercial customers, leveraging our core technical competencies in encryption, cyber security, tactical gateways, modems and waveforms.

The following are the primary business lines in our defense and advanced technologies segment:


Information security and cyber defense, which comprises a variety of high-quality networking, cybersecurity and information assurance products and services that provide advanced, high-speed IP-based “Type 1” and HAIPE®-compliant encryption solutions that enable military and government users to communicate information securely, and that protect the integrity of data stored on computers and storage devices. Information security and cyber defense also includes our MOJO expeditionary tactical gateway family of products.


Space and mission systems, which includes specialized design and technology services covering all aspects of satellite communication system architecture, networks and technology, including state-of-the-art government satellite communication systems, mobile and fixed broadband modems, ground and airborne terminals, antennas and gateways for terrestrial and satellite customer applications, Ka-band earth stations and other multi-band/multi-function antennas, as well as products designed for manpacks, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, seagoing vessels, ground-mobile vehicles, space-based systems and fixed applications. Space and mission systems also includes the design and development of the architecture of high-capacity Ka-band GEO satellites and the associated satellite payload and antenna technologies (both for our own satellite fleet as well as for third parties), and special purpose LEO and MEO satellites and other small satellite platforms.


Tactical networking, which provides resilient communications designed for on-the-move or on-the-pause operations in a multi-domain battlespace with friendly force tracking and narrowband solutions. Tactical networking includes the products and services offered by TrellisWare.


Advanced technologies and other, which includes commercial communication satellite product development, orchestration of sovereign and multi-orbit solutions, products focused on emerging growth markets (such as direct-to-device) and intellectual property licensing revenues.

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:


increasing levels of competition in the markets in which we compete;


the extent and stage of our satellite design, construction and launch activities, the associated level of investment required, the impact of any construction or launch delays, operational or launch failures or satellite anomalies or deployment issues, 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 new satellites entering commercial 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;


the availability of third-party satellite bandwidth and network infrastructure that we rely on to provide our services;


the extent of growth in uptake of our in-flight services by commercial airlines and business jets, the number of aircraft retrofitted or installed with our IFC systems, and the rate of revenue growth in our IFC-related businesses in our communication services segment, as well as the impact of the grounding or slowdown in manufacture of aircraft related to aircraft safety, maintenance, OEM delays or other issues;


the rate of growth in worldwide demand for mobile and fixed broadband connectivity, including growth in the number of aircraft and vessels in service, passengers, 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;

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the global business environment and economic conditions, including changes in interest rates, credit conditions, debt levels, consumer confidence, discretionary spending levels, rates of inflation, unemployment rates, energy costs, geopolitical issues, tariffs and other macro-economic factors;


changes in the levels of our R&D spending, including the effects of associated tax credits;


the timing and impact of acquisitions and divestitures (such as the Inmarsat Acquisition) and transaction-related or integration costs and any incurrence or repayment of indebtedness in connection therewith;


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, as well as increased demand for IFC services from airline passengers during peak holiday and summer travel periods and subscriber activity for our fixed broadband services related to traditional retail selling periods in our communication services segment;


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;


the timing, quantity and mix of products and services sold in each of our segments;


the complex and lengthy procurement process for many of our customers, particularly in our government satcom business and defense and advanced technologies segment, the impact of a failure to receive an expected order or a deferral of an order to a later period, and the timing of or effect of delays in obtaining government product certifications;


the difficulty in estimating costs over the life of a contract, which may require adjustment in future periods, and the impact of cost overruns (due to inflation or otherwise) 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; the impact of supply chain bottlenecks, and our ability to purchase or favorably price component parts that are periodically subject to shortages or supply chain disruptions resulting from surges in demand, natural disasters, tariffs, wars and other conflicts or other events;


varying subscriber addition, churn and average revenue per user (ARPU) rates for our fixed broadband businesses and mix of wholesale and retail subscribers;


one-time charges to operating income arising from items such as costs and expenses, relating to acquisitions or divestitures, 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, and the return to normalization after associated disruptions, such as the timing of return to normalization of government acquisition processes and pre-pandemic global airline traffic levels following COVID-19-related disruptions.

We may see some negative impacts on revenues and operating cash flows from our aviation businesses in fiscal year 2026 and potentially beyond, as a result of the impacts of regulatory oversight, approvals for new model aircraft and lingering global supply chain issues on the timely deliveries of aircraft to our commercial airline customers.

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.

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Inmarsat Acquisition

On May 30, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Connect Topco Limited, a private company limited by shares and incorporated in Guernsey (Inmarsat Holdings and, together with its subsidiaries, Inmarsat), in exchange for approximately $550.7 million in cash and 46.36 million shares of our common stock (the Inmarsat Acquisition).

The assets and results of operations of Inmarsat are included in our communication services segment for the period following the closing of the Inmarsat Acquisition on May 30, 2023.

Sale of Link-16 TDL Business

On January 3, 2023, we completed the sale of certain assets and assigned certain liabilities comprising our Link-16 TDL Business to L3Harris in exchange for approximately $1.96 billion in cash, subject to certain adjustments. Unless otherwise noted, discussion throughout this Item 7 relates to our continuing operations only and excludes the Link-16 TDL Business. See Note 5 — Discontinued Operations to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Satellite-Related Activities

Our complementary fleet of 23 in service or operational satellites spans the Ka-, L- and S-bands, enabling us to provide a wide array of high-quality broadband and narrowband services with near global coverage (including strong oceanic coverage) with greater redundancy and resiliency.

We launched the first of our third-generation ViaSat-3 class satellites, ViaSat-3 F1, into orbit on April 30, 2023, and on July 12, 2023, we reported a reflector deployment issue that materially impacted the performance of the ViaSat-3 F1 satellite. On August 24, 2023, we reported that the I-6 F2 satellite, which was launched in February 2023, suffered a power subsystem anomaly during its orbit raising phase, and concluded that the satellite would not operate as intended. See Note 1 — The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting Policies — Property, equipment and satellites to our consolidated financial statements for more information.

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. By leveraging our own satellite fleet and its unique advantages, existing national operator partnerships, plus coverage and capacity from leading third-party satellites and constellations, our services are designed to provide customers with the essential capacity density, market access, speed, bandwidth and responsiveness they need. Importantly, we have continued to innovate advanced multi-orbit resource management techniques to reduce costs and expand geographic coverage to better serve the unique needs of each mobility and defense customer. In forming key partnerships with multiple GSO and NGSO operators, we are well-positioned to support delivery of Viasat’s next-generation services, achieve industry-leading resource utilization, and drive capital efficiency. In parallel, we are working to ensure equitable access to finite space resources and support regulatory certainty enabling multi-orbit solutions and related infrastructure to thrive in a shared and sustainable way.

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 14 — Commitments to our consolidated financial statements for information as of March 31, 2025 regarding our future minimum payments under our satellite construction contracts and other satellite-related purchase commitments (including satellite performance incentive obligations) 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.

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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 commercial service in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, this resulted in additional operating costs 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 commercial 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. 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 communication services segment, and any such gains may also be offset by investments in our global business. In addition, we may experience capacity constraints on our existing satellites in the lead-up to the commencement of commercial service on new satellites, such as the capacity constraints we have been experiencing since fiscal year 2023 pending our ViaSat-3 constellation entering commercial service.

Sources of Revenues

Our communication services segment revenues are primarily derived from our aviation services (including IFC services), government satcom services, maritime services (including narrowband and safety of communication capabilities), fixed broadband services, and energy services, as well as a wide array of advanced satellite and wireless products, networks and terminal solutions that support or enable the provision of fixed and mobile broadband and narrowband services.

Our defense and advanced technologies segment revenues are primarily derived from our information security and cyber defense, space and mission systems, tactical networking, and advanced technologies and other, products and services, which are provided to government and commercial customers.

Our revenues are primarily derived from two types of contracts: fixed-price and cost-reimbursement contracts. Fixed-price contracts (which require us to provide products and services under a contract at a specified price) comprised approximately 96%, 95% and 93% of our total revenues for fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively, a majority of which were reported in our communication services segment. The remainder of our revenues 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), which contracts were mainly reported within our defense and advanced technologies segment.

Historically, a portion of our revenues has been derived from customer contracts that include the development of products, mainly reported within the defense and advanced technologies segment. 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. See Note 1 — The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

To date, our ability to grow and maintain our revenues in each of our communication services and defense and advanced technologies segments has 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.

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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 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. Taxes imposed by governmental authorities on our revenues, such as sales taxes and value added taxes, are excluded from net sales.

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 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 customers as part of the delivery of connectivity services represents a lease in accordance with the authoritative guidance for leases (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 customers in conjunction with the delivery of connectivity services, we account for the lease and non-lease components of connectivity service arrangements 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.

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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, 2025 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, 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.

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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 communication 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.

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 customers as part of our communication 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 commercial service, we estimate the useful life of our satellites for depreciation purposes based upon an analysis of each satellite’s performance against 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

In accordance with ASC 842, 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.

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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 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, and assumed liabilities, where applicable. Additionally, we recognize technology, contracts and customer relationships, orbital slots and spectrum assets, 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 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. Except for the impairment related to our exit from certain locations in EMEA markets, disposal of certain related assets and termination of certain related long-term contracts in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, the impairment related to certain of our satellites under construction and satellite programs in the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2024 (as discussed in Note 1 — The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting Policies — Property, equipment and satellites below), and the impairment of certain right-of-use assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, no other material impairments were recorded by us for fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023. See Note 7 — Leases to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.

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We account for our goodwill under the authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets (ASC 350). 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.

Furthermore, in addition to qualitative analysis, we believe it is appropriate to conduct a quantitative analysis periodically as a prudent review of our reporting unit goodwill fair values. Our quantitative analysis estimates the fair values of the reporting units using discounted cash flows and other indicators of fair value. The forecast of future cash flow is based on our best estimate of each reporting unit’s future revenue and operating costs, based primarily on existing firm orders, expected future orders, contracts with suppliers, labor resources, general market conditions, successful launch of our satellites currently under construction and other relevant factors. Based on a quantitative analysis for fiscal year 2025, we concluded that estimated fair values of our reporting units exceed their respective carrying values.

Based on our qualitative and quantitative assessment performed during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units exceeded their related carrying value as of March 31, 2025.

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 analysis of the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets considered historical as well as forecasted future operating results, the reversal of temporary differences, taxable income in prior carryback years (if permitted), and the availability of tax planning strategies. Additionally, in our analysis, we also considered the fact that ASC 740 places more weight on the objectively verifiable evidence of current pre-tax losses and recent events than forecasts of future profitability.

Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with 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.

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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 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.

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Results of Operations

The following table presents, as a percentage of total revenues, income statement data of our continuing operations for the periods indicated:

Fiscal Years Ended
March 31, 2025March 31, 2024March 31, 2023
Revenues:100%100%100%
Service revenues717063
Product revenues293037
Operating expenses:
Cost of service revenues464543
Cost of product revenues212329
Selling, general and administrative (including ground network (FY25), satellite (FY24) impairment and related charges, net — see Note 1)264428
Independent research and development345
Amortization of acquired intangible assets651
Income (loss) from continuing operations(2)(21)(6)
Interest (expense) income, net(7)(7)
(Loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net (see Note 8)(2)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes(12)(28)(6)
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes from continuing operations3(2)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations(12)(24)(8)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax51
Net income (loss) attributable to Viasat, Inc.(13)(25)42

Fiscal Year 2025 Compared to Fiscal Year 2024

Revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Service revenues$3,225.8$3,004.6$221.27%
Product revenues1,293.81,279.214.61%
Total revenues$4,519.6$4,283.8$235.86%

Our total revenues increased by $235.8 million as a result of a $221.2 million increase in service revenues and a $14.6 million increase in product revenues. The increase in service revenues was primarily due to a $223.8 million increase in our communication services segment. The increase in product revenues was due to an increase of $81.5 million in our defense and advanced technologies segment, partially offset by a $66.9 million decrease in our communication services segment.

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Cost of revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Cost of service revenues$2,091.7$1,928.7$163.08%
Cost of product revenues937.9973.4(35.5)(4)%
Total cost of revenues$3,029.6$2,902.1$127.54%

Cost of revenues increased by $127.5 million due to a $163.0 million increase in cost of service revenues, partially offset by a $35.5 million decrease in cost of product revenues. The increase in cost of service revenues was primarily due to increased service revenues, mainly driven by our communication services segment, resulting in a $142.0 million increase in cost of service revenues on a constant margin basis, as well as lower margins primarily in our defense and advanced technologies segment. The cost of product revenue decrease was primarily attributable to higher margins, mainly in our defense and advanced technologies segment, due to a higher mix of our product revenues associated with royalty and licensing agreements versus hardware and other product related revenues.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative$1,181.1$1,893.7$(712.6)(38)%

We experienced net losses of $905.5 million related to satellite impairment, including liabilities associated with the termination of certain subcontractor agreements, net of estimated insurance claim receivables in fiscal year 2024, and $169.4 million impairment related to ground network as a result of our exit activities from certain locations in EMEA markets in fiscal year 2025, which were recorded in our communication services segment for both periods. After excluding these net losses, selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased by $23.5 million, primarily driven by a $50.2 million increase in support costs and partially offset by a $24.7 million decrease in sales and marketing costs, both of which were mainly in our communication services segment. SG&A expenses consisted primarily of personnel costs and expenses for business development, marketing and sales, bid and proposal, acquisition and transaction related expenses, facilities, finance, contract administration and general management.

Independent research and development

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Independent research and development$142.4$150.7$(8.3)(6)%

The $8.3 million decrease in IR&D expenses was primarily attributable to a $21.5 million decrease in our communication services segment (primarily related to next-generation consumer broadband integrated networking technologies), partially offset by a $13.3 million increase in our defense and advanced technologies segment (primarily related to other advanced technologies).

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Amortization of acquired intangible assets

We amortize our acquired intangible assets from prior acquisitions over their estimated useful lives, which range from two to 12 years. The $36.8 million increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets in fiscal year 2025 compared to the prior fiscal year was primarily related to a full year of amortization of acquired intangibles as a result of the Inmarsat Acquisition in May 2023, compared to only ten months in the prior year period. Expected amortization expense for acquired intangible assets for each of the following periods is as follows:

Amortization
(In thousands)
Expected for fiscal year 2026$263,329
Expected for fiscal year 2027263,329
Expected for fiscal year 2028263,291
Expected for fiscal year 2029262,266
Expected for fiscal year 2030247,160
Thereafter971,402
$2,270,777

Interest income

The $12.3 million decrease in interest income for fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024 was primarily due to the interest income received from a litigation settlement in the prior year period (see Note 15 — Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements) and the lower interest earned as a result of lower average invested balance in combination with lower interest rate.

Interest expense

The $21.5 million increase in interest expense in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024 was primarily the result of the effects of increased interest expense arising from our increased level of indebtedness following the closing of the Inmarsat Acquisition in May 2023 and the refinancing of certain debt at a higher interest rate.

Income taxes

The income tax benefit in fiscal year 2025 primarily reflected the tax benefit from our loss before income taxes, partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded against our U.S. net deferred tax assets. The income tax benefit in fiscal year 2024 primarily reflected the tax benefit from our loss before income taxes, partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded against our U.S. net deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets increased from $353.6 million at March 31, 2024 to $430.5 million at March 31, 2025. The valuation allowance relates to federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, federal and state R&D tax credit carryforwards and foreign tax credit carryforwards.

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Segment Results for Fiscal Year 2025 Compared to Fiscal Year 2024

Communication Services Segment

Revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Segment service revenues$3,022.3$2,798.5$223.88%
Segment product revenues276.1343.0(66.9)(20)%
Total segment revenues$3,298.5$3,141.5$156.95%

Our communication services segment revenues increased by $156.9 million due to a $223.8 million increase in service revenues, partially offset by a $66.9 million decrease in product revenues. The Inmarsat Acquisition contributed approximately $329.6 million to the increase in service revenues in our communication services segment, as a result of a full year of contribution compared to only ten months in the prior year period coupled with higher revenues contributed by Inmarsat in the current year period. Furthermore, with respect to segment service revenues, the inclusion of a full year of contribution from Inmarsat, the Inmarsat service revenue increase year-over-year and growth in our aviation services were partially offset by an expected decrease in service revenues from fixed services and other as we continued to allocate a greater proportion of our bandwidth to our IFC business in preference to our U.S. fixed services business due to bandwidth constraints. The IFC service revenue increase was driven primarily by the increase in the number of commercial aircraft and business jets receiving our in-flight services through our IFC systems, with our IFC systems installed and in service on approximately 4,120 commercial aircraft (of which approximately 90 were inactive mostly due to standard aircraft maintenance) and approximately 2,000 business jets as of March 31, 2025, compared to approximately 3,720 commercial aircraft (of which approximately 70 were inactive at quarter end mostly due to standard aircraft maintenance) and approximately 1,800 business jets as of March 31, 2024. The decrease in segment product revenues was primarily driven by a $56.0 million decrease in aviation products, due to accelerated IFC terminal deliveries in the prior year period, and a $16.4 million decrease in government satcom.

Segment operating profit (loss)

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024(Increase) Decrease(Increase) Decrease
Segment operating profit (loss)$(50.2)$(817.1)$766.894%
Percentage of segment revenues(2)%(26)%

The decrease in our communication services segment operating loss was primarily due to the recording of satellite impairment and related charges, net of estimated insurance claim receivables of approximately $905.5 million in the prior year period, as described above, and higher earnings contributions of $40.7 million, mainly due to increased service revenues as a result of the Inmarsat Acquisition. We also experienced a $21.5 million decrease in IR&D expenses (primarily related to next-generation consumer broadband integrated networking technologies). The decrease in segment operating loss was partially offset by a $169.4 million impairment related to ground network as a result of our exit activities from certain locations in EMEA markets, recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025, as well as an increase of $31.5 million in SG&A expenses (reflecting the inclusion of a full year of Inmarsat SG&A costs in the current year period compared to only ten months of Inmarsat SG&A costs in the prior year period).

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Defense and advanced technologies segment

Revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Segment service revenues$203.4$206.1$(2.7)(1)%
Segment product revenues1,017.7936.181.59%
Total segment revenues$1,221.1$1,142.2$78.97%

Our defense and advanced technologies segment revenues increased by $78.9 million due to an $81.5 million increase in product revenues, partially offset by a $2.7 million decrease in service revenues. The increase in segment product revenues was primarily due to a $117.5 million increase in tactical networking (mostly related to tactical terrestrial networking), and a $23.4 million increase in information security and cyber defense. The increase in segment product revenues was partially offset by $58.2 million of lower contributions from certain licensing agreements related to a litigation settlement, in advanced technologies and other in the current year period (see Note 15 — Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements for more information). The decrease in segment service revenues was primarily due to a $6.6 million decrease in information security and cyber defense, partially offset by a $3.9 million increase in space and mission systems.

Segment operating profit (loss)

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2025March 31, 2024Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Segment operating profit (loss)$216.7$154.4$62.340%
Percentage of segment revenues18%14%

The increase in our defense and advanced technologies segment operating profit was primarily due to higher earnings contributions of $67.6 million, mainly driven by increased revenues and improved margins in tactical networking products, with a higher mix of our tactical terrestrial networking product revenues associated with royalty and licensing agreements versus hardware and other product related revenues, as well as lower SG&A costs of $8.0 million. The increase in operating profit was partially offset by a $13.3 million increase in IR&D expenses (primarily related to other advanced technologies products).

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Fiscal Year 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023

Revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Service revenues$3,004.6$1,602.0$1,402.688%
Product revenues1,279.2954.1325.034%
Total revenues$4,283.8$2,556.2$1,727.668%

Our total revenues grew by $1,727.6 million as a result of a $1,402.6 million increase in service revenues and a $325.0 million increase in product revenues, which increases reflected ten months of contribution from the Inmarsat Acquisition in fiscal year 2024. The service revenue increase was due to increases of $1,362.9 million in our communication services segment and $39.7 million in our defense and advanced technologies segment. The increase in product revenues was driven primarily by increases of $251.1 million in our defense and advanced technologies segment and $73.9 million in our communication services segment.

Cost of revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Cost of service revenues$1,928.7$1,098.3$830.476%
Cost of product revenues973.4736.4236.932%
Total cost of revenues$2,902.1$1,834.8$1,067.358%

Cost of revenues increased by $1,067.3 million due to an increase of $830.4 million in cost of service revenues and $236.9 million in cost of product revenues. The cost of service revenues increase was primarily due to increased service revenues, mainly in our communication services segment, causing a $961.6 million increase in cost of service revenues on a constant margin basis. The increase in cost of service revenues was partially offset by higher margins, primarily driven by our communication services segment. The cost of product revenue increase was primarily due to increased product revenues, mainly from our defense and advanced technologies segment, causing a $230.3 million increase in cost of product revenues on a constant margin basis, prior to the effects of product revenues related to the one-time benefit from a litigation settlement (see Note 15 — Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements for more information). The increase in cost of product revenues was further increased by lower margins, primarily driven by our communication services segment.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Selling, general and administrative$1,893.7$718.6$1,175.0164%

The $1,175.0 million increase in SG&A expenses was driven primarily by a net loss of approximately $905.5 million related to satellite impairment, including liabilities associated with the termination of certain subcontractor agreements, net of estimated insurance claim receivables recorded in our communication services segment, and also reflected acquisition and integration costs associated with the Inmarsat Acquisition. See Note 1 — The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting Policies — Property, equipment and satellites to our consolidated financial statements for more information. Additionally, we experienced an increase in support costs of $212.6 million, primarily in our communication services segment, which reflected the inclusion of ten months of support costs relating to the Inmarsat business for the period following the Inmarsat Acquisition. The increase in SG&A expenses was also driven by $59.5 million in higher selling costs, reflected primarily in our communication services segment.

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Independent research and development

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Independent research and development$150.7$128.9$21.717%

The $21.7 million increase in IR&D expenses was mainly the result of a $16.3 million increase in our defense and advanced technologies segment (primarily related to tactical satcom radio products and information assurance projects) and a $5.4 million increase in our communication services segment (primarily related to the inclusion of IR&D expenses relating to the Inmarsat business for the period following the Inmarsat Acquisition).

Amortization of acquired intangible assets

The $197.4 million increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets in fiscal year 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year was primarily related to the amortization of acquired intangibles as a result of the Inmarsat Acquisition in May 2023.

Interest income

The $76.7 million increase in interest income for fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023 was primarily due to the interest earned on the invested portion of the cash related to proceeds of approximately $1.96 billion received from L3Harris in the Link-16 TDL Sale as well as cash acquired as part of the Inmarsat Acquisition.

Interest expense

The $373.6 million increase in interest expense in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023 was primarily the result of the effects of increased interest expense arising from our increased level of indebtedness following the closing of the Inmarsat Acquisition in May 2023. The increase in interest expense was partially offset by an increase in the amount of interest capitalized during fiscal year 2024 compared to the prior year period.

Income taxes

The income tax benefit in fiscal year 2024 primarily reflected the tax benefit from our loss before income taxes, partially offset by a valuation allowance recorded against our U.S. net deferred tax assets. The income tax provision in fiscal year 2023 primarily reflected the establishment of a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset for California R&D tax credits and the expense for tax deficiencies upon settlement of stock-based compensation during the period, partially offset by the benefit of federal R&D tax credits. Our valuation allowance against deferred tax assets increased from $150.0 million at March 31, 2023 to $353.6 million at March 31, 2024. The valuation allowance relates to federal, state, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, federal and state R&D tax credit carryforwards and foreign tax credit carryforwards.

Segment Results for Fiscal Year 2024 Compared to Fiscal Year 2023

Communication services segment

Revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Segment service revenues$2,798.5$1,435.6$1,362.995%
Segment product revenues343.0269.173.928%
Total segment revenues$3,141.5$1,704.8$1,436.884%

Our communication services segment revenues increased by $1,436.8 million due to a $1,362.9 million increase in service revenues and a $73.9 million increase in product revenues. The increase in segment service revenues was primarily attributable to the Inmarsat Acquisition in May 2023 (which contributed to a $1,363.4 million increase in segment service revenues) and a $160.5 million increase in aviation service revenues (reflecting a continued increase in both the number of commercial aircraft receiving our in-flight services through IFC systems and passenger air traffic), partially offset by an expected decrease in revenues from fixed services and other as we continued to allocate a greater proportion of our bandwidth to our IFC business in preference to our U.S. fixed

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services business due to bandwidth constraints. The increase in segment product revenues was primarily attributable to a $72.5 million contribution from the Inmarsat Acquisition.

Segment operating profit (loss)

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023(Increase) Decrease(Increase) Decrease
Segment operating profit (loss)$(817.1)$(189.4)$(627.7)(331)%
Percentage of segment revenues(26)%(11)%

The increase in our communication services segment operating loss was primarily due to the recording of satellite impairment and related charges, net of estimated insurance claim receivables of approximately $905.5 million in fiscal year 2024, as described above, as well as a $239.4 million increase in SG&A costs and a $5.4 million increase in IR&D expenses (primarily related to the inclusion of expenses related to the Inmarsat business for the period following the Inmarsat Acquisition). The increase in our segment operating loss was partially offset by higher earnings contributions of $522.7 million, mainly due to an increase in segment service revenues as a result of the Inmarsat Acquisition and improved margins in our aviation services as they continued to scale.

Defense and advanced technologies segment

Revenues

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Segment service revenues$206.1$166.4$39.724%
Segment product revenues936.1685.0251.137%
Total segment revenues$1,142.2$851.4$290.834%

Our defense and advanced technologies segment revenues increased by $290.8 million due to a $251.1 million increase in product revenues and a $39.7 million increase in service revenues. The increase in segment product revenues was primarily due to increases of $120.5 million in information security and cyber defense, $57.7 million in advanced technologies and other, mainly related to higher contributions from certain licensing agreements in advanced technologies and other in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023 (see Note 15 — Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements for more information), $50.0 million in space and mission systems, $23.0 million in tactical networking. The increase in segment service revenues was primarily driven by increases of $18.7 million in space and mission systems, $7.4 million in tactical networking, $7.0 million in advanced technologies and other and $6.5 million in information security and cyber defense.

Segment operating profit (loss)

Fiscal Years EndedDollarPercentage
(In millions, except percentages)March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Increase (Decrease)Increase (Decrease)
Segment operating profit (loss)$154.4$63.3$91.2144%
Percentage of segment revenues14%7%

The increase in our defense and advanced technologies segment operating profit was primarily due to higher earnings contributions of $137.5 million, mainly due to an increase in segment product revenues. The increase in our segment operating profit was partially offset by a $30.1 million increase in SG&A costs and a $16.3 million increase in IR&D expenses (primarily related to tactical satcom radio products and information assurance projects).

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Backlog

Our firm and funded backlog as of March 31, 2025 is reflected in the table below.

As of March 31, 2025
(In millions)
Firm backlog
Communication services$2,568.8
Defense and advanced technologies984.0
Total$3,552.8
Funded backlog
Communication services$2,496.3
Defense and advanced technologies817.0
Total$3,313.3

The firm backlog does not include contract options. As of March 31, 2025, approximately half of the firm backlog is expected to be delivered during the next 12 months, with the balance delivered thereafter. We include in our backlog only those orders for which we have accepted purchase orders, and not anticipated purchase orders and requests. In our communication services segment, our backlog includes fixed broadband service revenues under our subscriber agreements, but does not include future recurring IFC service revenues under our agreements with commercial airlines. As of March 31, 2025, our IFC systems were installed and in service on approximately 4,120 commercial aircraft, of which approximately 90 were inactive at fiscal year end (mostly due to standard aircraft maintenance). We anticipate that approximately 1,600 additional commercial aircraft will be put into service with our IFC systems under existing customer agreements with commercial airlines. Due to the nature of commercial airline contracts, there can be no assurance that all anticipated purchase orders and requests will be placed or that anticipated IFC services will be activated on all such additional commercial aircraft.

Our total new awards which exclude future revenue under recurring consumer commitment arrangements were approximately $4.7 billion for fiscal year 2025 and $4.2 billion for fiscal year 2024.

Backlog is not necessarily indicative of future sales. A majority of our contracts can be terminated at the convenience of the customer. Orders are often made substantially in advance of delivery, and our contracts typically provide that orders may be terminated with limited or no penalties. In addition, purchase orders may present product specifications that would require us to complete additional product development. A failure to develop products meeting such specifications could lead to a termination of the related contract.

Firm backlog amounts are comprised of funded and unfunded components. Funded backlog represents the sum of contract amounts for which funds have been specifically obligated by customers to contracts. Unfunded backlog represents future amounts that customers may obligate over the specified contract performance periods. Our customers allocate funds for expenditures on long-term contracts on a periodic basis. Our ability to realize revenues from contracts in backlog is dependent upon adequate funding for such contracts. Although we do not control the funding of our contracts, our experience indicates that actual contract funding has ultimately been approximately equal to the aggregate amounts of the contracts.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

We have financed our operations to date primarily with cash flows from operations, bank line of credit financing, debt financing, export credit agency financing and equity financing. At March 31, 2025, we had $1.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents, $1.2 billion in working capital, no outstanding borrowings and borrowing availability of $593.3 million under the Viasat Revolving Credit Facility and no outstanding borrowings and borrowing availability of $550.0 million under the Inmarsat Revolving Credit Facility. At March 31, 2024, we had $1.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents, $2.2 billion in working capital, no outstanding borrowings and borrowing availability of $591.5 million under the Viasat Revolving Credit Facility, and no outstanding borrowings and borrowing availability of $550.0 million under the Inmarsat Revolving Credit Facility. We invest our cash in excess of current operating requirements in short-term, highly liquid bank money market funds primarily investing in U.S. government-backed securities and treasuries.

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The general cash needs of our business can vary significantly and our future capital requirements will depend upon many factors, including cash required for our satellite projects and any future broadband satellite projects we may engage in, expansion of our IR&D and marketing efforts, and the nature and timing of orders. In particular:


The cash needs of our communication services segment tend to be driven by the timing and amount of capital expenditures (e.g., payments under satellite construction and launch contracts and investments in ground infrastructure roll-out), the timing and amount of investments in IR&D activities (including with respect to next-generation satellite payload technologies), investments in joint ventures, strategic partnering arrangements, network expansion activities, investments to obtain STCs to enable the retrofit installation of our IFC and W-IFE equipment and investments in platforms and software to support our services and entry into new markets, as well as the quality of customer, type of contract and payment terms, and timing and amount of recoveries under satellite insurance claims.


In our defense and advanced technologies segment, the primary factors determining cash needs tend to be the type and mix of contracts in backlog (e.g., product or service, development or production), timing of payments and payment terms (including restrictions on the timing of cash payments under U.S. Government procurement regulations), as well as contract duration and program performance. For example, if a program is performing well and meeting its contractual requirements, then its cash flow requirements are usually lower.

Additionally, we will continue to evaluate other possible acquisitions of, or investments in complementary businesses, products and technologies which may require the use of cash or additional financing.

As a result of the divestiture of the Link-16 TDL Business, we took measures to mitigate the impact of stranded costs and to right-size our remaining businesses by reducing discretionary spending and by undertaking cost-reduction measures, including reducing our real estate footprint and workforce, which measures resulted in approximately $40 million of expenses during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, primarily recorded in our SG&A.

In November 2023, we announced an important milestone in our integration program following our Inmarsat Acquisition. As part of our ongoing strategy to streamline operations and better serve our growing customer base, we completed our work on the rationalization of roles in our global business, which was intended to achieve both operational and cost efficiencies. As part of the role rationalization, we reduced our global workforce by approximately 800 positions, or approximately 10%, and recorded total costs (primarily related to employee severance payments, benefits and related termination costs) of approximately $48 million during fiscal year 2024. These one-time costs were recorded within operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in both of our segments.

To further enhance our liquidity position or to finance the construction and launch of any future satellites, acquisitions, strategic partnering arrangements, joint ventures or other business investment initiatives, we may obtain additional financing, which could consist of debt, convertible debt or equity financing from public and/or private credit and capital markets. From time to time, we file universal shelf registration statements with the SEC for the future sale of an unlimited amount of common stock, preferred stock, debt securities, depositary shares and warrants, which securities may be offered from time to time, separately or together, directly by us, by selling security holders, or through underwriters, dealers or agents at amounts, prices, interest rates and other terms to be determined at the time of the offering. Additionally, we consider strategic divestitures from time to time, such as the Link-16 TDL Sale that was completed in January 2023 for approximately $1.96 billion in cash, subject to adjustments, as well as divestitures of non-core assets or businesses, such as the divestiture of our energy services system integration business in December 2024.

We may, from time to time, seek to retire, prepay or repurchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity or debt, in open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will be upon such terms and at such prices as we may determine, and will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. During fiscal year 2025, we repurchased $257.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Viasat’s 5.625% Senior Notes due 2025 (the 2025 Notes)) in open market transactions and redeemed the Inmarsat 2026 Notes in full. As a result, in fiscal year 2025, we recorded a net loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $99.8 million in (loss) gain on extinguishment of debt, net, mainly related to the redemption of the Inmarsat 2026 Notes (attributable to the related unamortized fair value adjustment made in purchase accounting). Subsequent to fiscal year end, we redeemed all remaining 2025 Notes in full. Although we can give no assurances concerning our future liquidity, we believe that we have adequate sources of funding to meet our anticipated operating requirements for the next 12 months, which include, but are not limited to, cash on hand, borrowing capacity, and cash expected to be provided by operating activities.

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Cash flows

Cash provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2025 was $908.2 million compared to $688.2 million for fiscal year 2024. This $220.0 million increase was driven by a $211.7 million year-over-year decrease in cash used to fund net operating assets and our operating results (net income (loss) adjusted for depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges) which resulted in $8.3 million of higher cash provided by operating activities year-over-year. The decrease in cash used to fund net operating assets during fiscal year 2025 when compared to the prior year period was primarily due to timing of payments related to our income tax payables, accrued liabilities and accounts payable. Cash paid for income taxes, net, during fiscal years 2025 and 2024 was $196.3 million and $200.6 million, respectively. Cash paid for interest (net of amounts capitalized) during fiscal years 2025 and 2024 was $390.0 million and $229.0 million, respectively.

Cash used in investing activities for fiscal year 2025 was $758.4 million compared to $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2024. This $532.8 million decrease in cash used in investing activities year-over-year reflected a decrease of $509.2 million in cash used for capital expenditures as well as the $342.6 million in cash (net of cash acquired) used for the Inmarsat Acquisition in fiscal year 2024, partially offset by a $257.1 million decrease in cash receipts related to satellite insurance claim proceeds year-over-year.

Cash used in financing activities for fiscal year 2025 was $442.6 million compared to cash provided by financing activities of $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2024. Cash used in financing activities in fiscal year 2025 was primarily comprised of debt repayments of $2.4 billion, partially offset by proceeds from debt borrowings of $2.0 billion (which primarily related to the repurchase and refinancing of the Inmarsat 2026 Notes). Cash provided by financing activities in fiscal year 2024 was primarily comprised of proceeds from debt borrowings of approximately $1.7 billion primarily incurred in connection with the Inmarsat Acquisition, partially offset by debt repayments of $567.0 million. See Note 8 — Senior Notes and Other Long-Term Debt for further information.

Capital Expenditures and IR&D Investments

Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2025 of $1.0 billion were 33% lower than fiscal year 2024, reflecting efforts to continue to optimize our capital expenditures as we integrate our businesses and prioritize our investments. Our total capital expenditures in fiscal year 2026 may be slightly higher compared to fiscal year 2025, due to timing, however we expect to continue to manage investments in our business as a whole and remain committed to meaningfully reducing aggregate capital expenditures as part of our Inmarsat integration strategy and as satellites currently under construction are completed. See Note 14 — Commitments to our consolidated financial statements for information as of March 31, 2025 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.

We also incur IR&D expenses, which are not directly funded by a third party. IR&D expenses consist primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses, supplies, prototype materials, testing and certification related to R&D projects. Our IR&D investments are expected to continue through fiscal year 2026 and beyond to support our growth, acceleration of new opportunities and entry into new markets (for example direct-to-device). IR&D expenses were approximately 3%, 4% and 5% of total revenues in fiscal years 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As a government contractor, we are able to recover a portion of our IR&D expenses pursuant to our government contracts.

Long-Term Debt

As of March 31, 2025, the aggregate principal amount of our total outstanding indebtedness was $7.2 billion, which was comprised of (1) $442.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes (which were redeemed in full subsequent to fiscal year end), $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Viasat's 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes), $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Viasat's 6.500% Senior Notes due 2028 (the 2028 Notes), $1.975 billion in aggregate principal amount of Inmarsat's 9.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 (the Inmarsat 2029 Notes) and $733.4 million in aggregate principal amount of Viasat's 7.500% Senior Notes due 2031 (the 2031 Notes), (2) $680.8 million in principal amount of outstanding borrowings under Viasat's $700.0 million senior secured term loan facility (the 2022 Term Loan Facility), $607.5 million in principal amount of outstanding borrowings under Viasat's $616.7 million senior secured term loan facility (the 2023 Term Loan Facility), $1.6 billion in principal amount of outstanding borrowings under Inmarsat's $1.6 billion senior secured term loan facilities (the Inmarsat Term Loan Facilities), no outstanding borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facilities, and $19.7 million in principal amount of outstanding borrowings under Viasat's direct loan facility with the Export-Import Bank of the United States (the Ex-Im Credit Facility), and (3) $158.5 million of finance lease obligations. For information regarding our outstanding indebtedness, refer to Note 8 — Senior Notes and Other Long-Term Debt to our consolidated financial statements.

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Contractual Obligations

The following table sets forth a summary of certain material cash requirements for known contractual obligations and commitments at March 31, 2025:

(In thousands, including interest where applicable)Next 12 monthsThereafter
Operating leases$89,029$614,612
Senior notes and other long-term debt (1)(2)1,070,5658,672,616
Purchase commitments including satellite-related agreements806,9731,450,251
Total$1,966,567$10,737,479

(1) To the extent that the interest rate on any long-term debt is variable, amounts reflected represent estimated interest payments on the applicable current outstanding balance based on the interest rate at March 31, 2025 until the applicable maturity date.

(2) Includes the 2025 Notes, which were redeemed in full subsequent to fiscal year end.

We purchase components from a variety of suppliers and use several subcontractors and contract manufacturers to provide design and manufacturing services for our products. During the normal course of business, we enter into agreements with subcontractors, contract manufacturers and suppliers that either allow them to procure inventory based upon criteria defined by us or that establish the parameters defining our requirements. We also enter into agreements and purchase commitments with suppliers for the construction, launch, and operation of our satellites. In certain instances, these agreements allow us the option to cancel, reschedule and adjust our requirements based on our business needs prior to firm orders being placed. Consequently, only a portion of our reported purchase commitments arising from these agreements are firm, non-cancelable and unconditional commitments. We may also cancel, reschedule or adjust our requirements based on business needs after firm orders are placed at a cost, which may be material.

Our consolidated balance sheets included $2.2 billion and $2.5 billion of “other liabilities” as of March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, respectively, which primarily consisted of deferred income taxes and the long-term portion of deferred revenues. These remaining liabilities have been excluded from the above table as the timing and/or the amount of any cash payment is uncertain.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no material off-balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2025 as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303(b) other than as discussed under “Contractual Obligations” above or disclosed in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Recent Authoritative Guidance

For information regarding recently adopted and issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 1 — The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting Policies to the consolidated financial statements.

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