[Satellite TODAY 06-14-13] ViaSat is launching Exede Voice, becoming the first satellite Internet service provider to offer U.S. residential telephone service. The offering complements ViaSat’s satellite Internet service. With the new service launching on June 17, ViaSat will begin offering all-satellite Internet, phone and/or television bundles.

    According to Lisa Scalpone, vice president of satellite services, Exede Voice benefits consumers by providing a high quality home telephone service at a competitive price. “The launch represents an important step forward for our service and the Exede brand,” Scalpone said.

    The ViaSat engineering team designed Exede Voice to be optimized with Exede satellite and ground technology, in order to provide better call quality. The team spent two years in development and user testing to ensure quality and reliability, including trials with residential users.

    The only equipment required for the new telephone service is a small Exede Voice Adapter, which is shipped to customers at no cost, and easily connects between the Exede modem and telephone.