Inmarsat Government

What Inmarsat Government does

Inmarsat Government is a U.S.-focused satellite communications provider and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), headquartered in Reston, Virginia. The company delivers managed global mobile SATCOM services to U.S. defense, intelligence, homeland security, public safety, and civilian agencies, with a heritage of U.S. government service dating to 1979. Its multi-band, multi-orbit network comprises Ka-band Global Xpress wideband and L-band ELERA narrowband GEO constellations, supplemented by HEO (Arctic) and LEO (pLEO) assets, and is being unified through the ORCHESTRA dynamic mesh architecture that also integrates terrestrial 5G. Key product lines include ELERA L-band services (BGAN, FleetBroadband, SwiftBroadband, LAISR, L-TAC), Global Xpress Ka-band terminals and managed services, the Black ICE software-defined radio, G-MODMAN interoperability platform, and emerging low-SWaP terminals such as GX LITE. The U.S.-based, security-cleared Network Operations Center provides 24/7/365 monitoring under an ISO 9001:2015-certified quality system.

Inmarsat Government makes money primarily through multi-year subscription and managed-service contracts with U.S. government customers, supplemented by terminal hardware sales through value-added manufacturers and global wholesale channel partners. Its GTM motion combines direct enterprise field sales into DoD, the intelligence community, homeland security, and civilian agencies, leveraging DISA and Navy IDIQ vehicles (notably the $578M, 10-year Navy Military Sealift Command Next Generation Wideband Follow-On contract awarded in August 2022 and a position on the $900M, 10-year DISA pLEO Satellite-Based Services contract awarded in September 2023), with channel-based distribution internationally and to the FirstNet public-safety community, where Inmarsat Government is the exclusive satellite connectivity provider. Customer segments span land, maritime, aviation, and space domains, with applications including ISR, UAS operations, tactical communications, blue force tracking, diplomatic connectivity, and first-responder communications. The company was absorbed into Viasat's government business on May 30, 2023, when Viasat closed its acquisition of Inmarsat.

Name

Inmarsat Government

Legal name

Inmarsat Global Limited

Website

https://inmarsatgov.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Inmarsat Government, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viasat Inc., delivers managed multi-band, multi-orbit satellite communications (Ka, L, HEO, LEO) and managed network services to U.S. defense, intelligence, homeland security, public safety, and civilian agencies from its Reston, VA headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Satellite Communications Services

NAICS

Satellite Telecommunications (5174), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

SIC

Communications Services, Nec (4899), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise Satellite Connectivity & Managed Services (VSAT, SD-WAN over Satcom) (HDAIAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Satellite Mobility Connectivity (Maritime, Aviation, Rail, Land Mobile) (HDAIAJAD), Satellite Ground Segment & Gateway Services (Teleports, Gateways, Ground Station-as-a-Service) (HDAIAJAH), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)

Keywords

• Satellite communications services
• Government SATCOM solutions
• Managed network services
• Ka-band wideband connectivity
• L-band narrowband services

Headquarters

HQ city

Reston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Satellite Communications Services: Recurring satellite communications services including Ka-band Global Xpress and L-band ELERA services. Provided as SATCOM as a Managed Service including satellite systems, ground networks and type-approved terminals.
2. Managed Network Services: End-to-end managed network services including network design, configuration, quality control, and 24/7/365 U.S.-based technical support. Full-lifecycle management with risk-management framework.
3. Terminal/Hardware Sales: Sale of satellite terminals including GX LITE, LAISR, ELMA, and Black ICE SDR modems. Terminals are type-approved and offered through value-added manufacturing partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Inmarsat Government delivers global mobile satellite communications and managed network services to U.S. government agencies across land, sea, air, and space domains. The company operates the ELERA L-band narrowband network, the Global Xpress Ka-band wideband network, and the ORCHESTRA multi-dimensional mesh network, providing end-to-end SATCOM as a Managed Service that bundles satellite capacity, ground networks, type-approved terminals, and 24/7 U.S.-based, security-cleared Network Operations Center support.

Product overview

Inmarsat Government delivers a comprehensive satellite communications portfolio as a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings include ELERA (L-band narrowband) for reliable global voice and data, Global Xpress (Ka-band wideband) for high-throughput connectivity, and ORCHESTRA (multi-dimensional mesh network combining L-band, Ka-band, 5G, and LEO). These core networks are complemented by Multi-band Solutions for hybrid band deployments and Secure Operations for information assurance and network management. Sub-products span aviation (SwiftJet, SwiftBroadband), maritime (FleetBroadband, ELMA), land mobile (BGAN family, LAISR, L-TAC), and M2M/IoT applications. The company offers terminals, managed services (SATCOM as a Service), and specialized solutions like Black ICE SDR for military waveform integration. The portfolio serves U.S. defense, intelligence, homeland security, public safety, and civilian agencies through end-to-end managed network solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ELERA: L-band satellite network providing reliable, easy to use connectivity that travels with users worldwide. Includes BGAN, FleetBroadband, SwiftBroadband, and M2M services.
• Global Xpress
• ORCHESTRA
• Black ICE SDR
• LAISR
• GX LITE

Products and services

• ELERA (L-band Network) L-band narrowband satellite network providing reliable, easy-to-use global connectivity for simultaneous voice and data, including Standard IP and guaranteed on-demand Streaming IP. Sub-services include BGAN (land), FleetBroadband (maritime), SwiftBroadband (aeronautical), LAISR (airborne ISR), L-TAC (UHF/VHF augmentation), M2M, Voice and Safety.
• Global Xpress (Ka-band Network) Ka-band wideband satellite communications delivering seamless, resilient global connectivity for government and military users. Delivered as SATCOM as a Managed Service or Mil-Ka Lease (military steerable beams interoperable with WGS), with supporting Protected Tactical Waveform and G-MODMAN modem manager.
• ORCHESTRA Multi-dimensional dynamic mesh network combining ELERA (L-band), Global Xpress (Ka-band), terrestrial 5G and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites into a single advanced solution for global mobility and high-performance connectivity.
• Multi-band Solutions Rapidly deployable, scalable hybrid SATCOM solutions using L, Ka, Ku, C, and X-band services with redundant terrestrial connectivity to private MPLS backbone, optimized for government missions requiring enhanced resilience.
• Secure Operations Managed security and quality of service capabilities for SATCOM networks, including Information Assurance, 24/7/365 U.S.-based security-cleared Network Operations Center (NOC) monitoring, and the Global Management System (GMS) web-based network intelligence portal.
• Black ICE Software Defined Radio (SDR) Software-defined radio modem platform providing beyond line-of-sight communications on uncrewed aerial systems and manned platforms, as well as expeditionary Command and Control operations. Supports integration of commercial and custom waveforms in low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) form factor.
• GX LITE User Terminal Portable, flat-panel Ka-band user terminal designed for land expeditionary users with highly efficient flat panel antenna. Airline carry-on compatible, low SWaP, low cost, fully autonomous with Wi-Fi capability and up to 7 hours of battery operation over Global Xpress.
• LAISR (L-band Airborne ISR) L-band Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance service delivering ultra-lightweight user terminals for uncrewed platforms, drones and balloons, providing on-demand mobility and high-speed beyond line-of-sight forward and return connectivity up to 10 Mbps.
• Viasat InCommand On-demand commanding and telemetry service for space assets operating below geostationary orbit (GEO), establishing real-time connectivity for space relay via the L-band network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Data rates up to 200 Mbps with 45 cm antenna for unified Ka-band network
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Get SATcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 November 2023Developed GX LITE portable Ka-band terminal for land expeditionary users. Get SAT is an innovator in lightweight satellite communications terminals for ground, airborne and maritime applications. The partnership leverages Get SAT's highly efficient flat panel antenna technologies.
• Space NorwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development of two HEO (Highly Elliptical Orbit) satellites for Arctic coverage under the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM). Satellites built by Northrop Grumman will carry payloads for Viasat, Norwegian Ministry of Defense and U.S. Space Force.
• Northrop GrummancoreTechnology or IntegrationBuilt the HEO satellites for the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) to provide continuous coverage above 65 degrees North.
• Sofant TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development aimed at revolutionizing communication capabilities of aircraft through advanced antenna technologies. Partnership to develop phased array antenna for aircraft.
• L3HarriscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry team demonstration of real-world JADC2 (Joint All-Domain Command and Control) connectivity. Live demonstrations showcase latest L-band Tactical Radio capabilities.
• FirstNetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInmarsat Government is the exclusive provider of satellite connectivity to the FirstNet community, complementing FirstNet.com for all satellite communication products and services available to FirstNet customers.
• Value-added ManufacturerscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with terminal manufacturers to develop innovative hardware solutions built to government user requirements. Get SAT is one such partner, developing GX LITE and other terminals.
• Wholesale Channel PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInmarsat services are available globally via a range of best-of-breed wholesale partners who resell and distribute services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Viasat Government: Direct sibling division of Inmarsat Government within Viasat Inc., providing Ka-band Global Xpress and other government SATCOM services; effectively the most direct comparator as both serve U.S. federal customers from the same parent platform post-May 2023 acquisition.
• Telesat Government Solutions: U.S. government arm of Telesat, providing GEO and planned LEO (Lightspeed) managed satellite services to federal customers — a direct competitor for managed SATCOM and a future LEO competitor alongside Starlink.
• Intelsat Government Solutions: U.S. government-focused subsidiary of Intelsat, providing C-, Ku-, and Ka-band managed satellite services to DoD and federal agencies — a direct competitor on nearly every major U.S. government SATCOM procurement.
• Iridium Communications: Operates the Iridium L-band LEO constellation with an established government channel (Iridium Government LLC) serving DoD, federal law enforcement, and first responders — directly competitive with Inmarsat's ELERA L-band portfolio.
• Comtech Telecommunications: Supplies satellite ground infrastructure, modems, and managed communications services to U.S. government and DoD, including troposcatter and SATCOM technologies — competitive on both hardware and managed-service procurements.
• Hughes Network Systems (EchoStar): Major managed satellite broadband provider including Hughes Defense and Government Systems Division, serving DoD, FEMA, and federal civilian agencies with VSAT, terminal hardware, and managed services — direct competitor in managed SATCOM-as-a-Service.
• SES Government Solutions: Government-focused arm of SES S.A., providing multi-orbit (GEO/MEO) managed SATCOM to U.S. DoD and intelligence customers — directly competitive on IDIQ vehicles and managed Ka-/X-band service contracts.

Broad incumbents

• L3Harris Technologies: Large defense prime with a space and airborne SATCOM business line including tactical radio waveforms (partner of Inmarsat on JADC2 demos) and WGS-compatible terminals — broader incumbent serving the same DoD customers across multiple domains.

Emerging players

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Provides satellite ground systems, RF products, and unmanned systems to DoD and intelligence customers; competes with Inmarsat Government on SATCOM ground-segment and signal-processing layers of the value chain.
• SpaceX (Starlink Government Services): Operates the Starlink LEO constellation and is an awardee on the same $900M DISA pLEO IDIQ vehicle; while positioned primarily as a direct LEO broadband competitor, its scale and pricing are increasingly relevant to all government SATCOM providers including Inmarsat Government.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/InmarsatGlobal
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ViaSatInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ViaSat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/viasat
• Instagraminstagram.com/viasatinc

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Inmarsat Government