Dulles, VA. March 29, 2004 – Encore Networks, a leading developer of integrated IP+Legacy Virtual Private Network (VPN) and security solutions, today announced the recent completion of certification testing between the ViaSat LinkStar® IP satellite terminal and Encore’s VSR-30™ and the BANDIT™ product line. The combined platform delivers the first end-to-end IPsec VPN without bandwidth degradation over hybrid satellite and terrestrial networks that meet the security requirements of ViaSat commercial customers.

ViaSat (Nasdaq:VSAT) produces innovative satellite and other communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. ViaSat customers include Boeing, Eutelsat, Intelsat, the U.S. Military, and numerous enterprises and service providers worldwide. Shipments of the LinkStar broadband VSAT now total over 16,000 since its introduction.

Encore Network’s security solutions provide satellite enterprise data networks support for IPsec encryption, stateful inspection firewall, IP routing, extensive QoS capabilities, and Encore Network's exclusive patent pending breakthrough Selective Layer Encryption (SLE™). The ability to perform SLE™ to IPsec tunnel switching allows satellite operators the flexibility to offer high performance VPN solutions that span combined satellite and terrestrial networks without performance degradation. With built-in SLE™ features, both the BANDIT™ IP+Legacy, VPN and the VSR-30™ overcome the performance degradation associated with satellite circuits by optimizing the performance of VPNs over satellite networks without compromising the security and the robustness of the end-to-end solution.

“Encore’s Selective Layer Encryption capability delivers true high performance, end-to-end IP VPN services with virtually no performance degradation,” said Nick Demas, LinkStar Product Line Manager at ViaSat. “That functionality is critical to ViaSat’s overall strategy for offering reliable and high-performance secure broadband services to our global VSAT customers in different market segments.”

The LinkStar system is a high performance, star-based VSAT system for service providers, ISPs, and corporate network managers seeking a product based on DVB standards. The LinkStar advantage is in its dynamic bandwidth allocation that makes it more efficient and faster than other TDMA systems and can operate over C-, Ku-, or Ka-band frequencies.

“ViaSat is a clear market leader in providing broadband video, voice, data and security solutions over satellite networks,” stated Bill Grant, Encore’s Vice President of Broadband Access Solutions. “Encore Networks is excited about the opportunity to team with ViaSat to provide innovative and reliable broadband solutions that meet ViaSat customers requirements.”

In addition, ViaSat’s wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Monolithics, designs and produces monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) and modules for use in broadband communications. USM is based in Chandler, Arizona.