ViaSat has reported its better-than-expected results for the 2013 fiscal second quarter with revenue of $283 million and a loss of $1.9 million or 4 cents a share, excluding charges. Analysts had predicted sales of $256 million and a loss of 10 cents a share excluding charges, the satellite company announced Nov. 7.
   ViaSat CEO Mark Dankberg related the boost in results to the company’s government revenue growth of 25 percent, as well as its gain in satellite modems and terminals, secure network products and tactical data links. Dankberg thinks ViaSat’s government business is well positioned in the long term, despite its quarterly ups and downs.
   “Tightening budgets make government customers much more price conscious and willing to try new things, which is good for us relative to defense primes,” he said in a statement.
   The company has experienced steady progress in satellite Internet subscribers, having 429,000 at 2013 quarter end, compared with 405,000 in the prior quarter. This is due its new Exede satellite Internet offering of 12 Mbps service. The company did experienced higher costs from subsidizing new equipment for the new customers signing up, factoring in its quarterly loss. ViaSat has received new contract awards of $880.6 million year to date, including a deal to provide ground equipment for satellite Internet service in Australia.