Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q2 FY2026, the company reported a net loss of $61 million, an improvement from a net loss of $138 million in Q2 FY2025, primarily due to a favorable service revenue mix, lower depreciation and amortization, and reduced SG&A expenses [5][17] - Revenue grew by 2% year-over-year to $1.1 billion, with adjusted EBITDA increasing by 3% to $385 million, resulting in a 34% adjusted EBITDA margin [15][17] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $69 million, contributing to a trailing 12-month total of $147 million, marking three consecutive quarters of positive free cash flow [12][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the communication services segment, awards increased by 35% to $1.03 billion, while revenue was up 1% to $837 million, driven by growth in aviation and government SATCOM [18][20] - The defense and advanced technologies segment saw awards decline by 9% to $467 million, but revenue increased by 3% to $304 million, supported by growth in InfoSec and cyber solutions [21][22] - The maritime revenue declined by 3%, but installations of NexusWave were up 40% sequentially, indicating a focus on growth opportunities [19][20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog increased to $3.9 billion, up approximately $140 million year-over-year, despite the sale of the energy system integration business [17] - The company noted a significant uptick in interest for commercial mobile space networks, indicating a growing market for direct-to-consumer device connectivity [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on launching Viasat 3 Flight 2 and Flight 3, which are expected to significantly enhance bandwidth capacity and drive growth in communication services [6][10] - A strategic review is ongoing regarding capital allocation and the potential separation of government and commercial businesses to enhance competitive positioning [10][29] - The company aims to optimize its capital structure and reduce leverage, targeting a leverage ratio of three times net debt adjusted EBITDA or lower [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term growth trajectory supported by increased reliance on space-based assets for national security and growing demand for resilient communications [7][8] - The company anticipates fiscal 2026 revenue growth in low single digits year-over-year, with flattish adjusted EBITDA, and expects variability in performance quarter to quarter [24][26] - Management is closely monitoring the potential impacts of the U.S. government shutdown, estimating a delay in DAT awards of up to $100 million and an impact on adjusted EBITDA of up to $20 million [25][26] Other Important Information - The company generated $282 million in cash flow from operations, up 18% year-over-year, with capital expenditures of $214 million [16][17] - The company is actively working on a five-year plan focusing on growth, innovation, capital efficiency, and returns [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on evaluating the possibility of a split and vertical integration opportunities - Management is continuously evaluating options for vertical integration and dual-use systems, with no specific timeline for completion [33][34] Question: Spectrum ownership and monetization strategies - The company holds a substantial amount of global spectrum and is exploring ways to maximize its value through operational investments and potential partnerships [36][39] Question: Details on the Equitus project and ideal customers - Equitus aims to modernize infrastructure for spectrum allocations, with discussions ongoing with regional operators and the European Space Agency [40][43] Question: Backlog growth and revenue recognition metrics - Management highlighted that backlog growth is strong, and while specific metrics are not tracked, they are confident in converting backlog into future growth [52][55] Question: Demand signals in the defense sector, particularly in Europe - There is a growing demand for sovereign capabilities in national security, with countries seeking to reduce reliance on foreign systems [91][92]