WASHINGTON -- Satellite communications provider Viasat has secured its first task order worth $3.5 million under a new U.S. Space Force contract vehicle designed to leverage commercial space internet services, the company announced on February 3.
The award falls under the Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite services contract, managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency and the Space Force's Commercial Satellite Communications Office.
The contract ceiling was recently increased from $900 million to $13 billion, reflecting surging demand for satellite-based broadband services. Approximately 20 vendors were selected to compete for orders over a five-year base period, with an option to extend for an additional five years.
Viasat stated that the PLEO task order is for 'fully-managed LEO satellite-based services and capabilities, to include space relay services, supplemented by geostationary and non-GEO satellites.'
While Viasat operates geostationary satellites, it does not maintain its own low Earth orbit network. The company will provide LEO services through an undisclosed partner's Ku-band network. Currently, only OneWeb and SpaceX's Starlink operate high-speed LEO broadband networks, with Amazon's Project Kuiper expected to begin services soon.
Viasat executives have indicated that the company is in discussions with multiple LEO operators, including OneWeb, to enhance its multi-orbit connectivity offerings. The company has stated it has no plans to deploy its own LEO constellation.