First-Ever Transmit/Receive Using Metamaterial Antenna

Ability to deliver bi-directional high-speed Internet connectivity is a key milestone in the commercial development of Kymeta’s flat-panel satellite antennas

Redmond, Wash. – December 17, 2013 – Kymeta Corporation, the company commercializing innovative metamaterials-based flat-panel antennas for satellite communications, today announced that it has successfully demonstrated bi-directional high-speed Internet connectivity with a Ka broadband satellite. This is the first time a metamaterials-based antenna has established an Internet connection over a satellite link and confirms that Kymeta is ready to move into commercial product development and production.

“Seeing our research and development efforts culminate in this successful bi-directional satellite connection is like a dream come true,” said Dr. Nathan Kundtz, Founder and CTO of Kymeta. “Our engineering team has worked many late hours to accomplish today’s demonstration, and it is a testament not only to our technology but also to our team of talented individuals working at Kymeta.”

The demonstration was held on December 10, 2013 at Telesat’s teleport in Vancouver, B.C., using Ka-band capacity on Telesat’s Anik F2 satellite. The completion of the demonstration required obtaining regulatory certifications for Ka-band transmissions, made possible through collaboration with Telesat. iDirect provided the modem technologies used in the demonstration. After initial tests of bi-directional Internet connectivity and video streaming via the Kymeta transceiver equipment, the team also launched a bi-directional Skype video call from a laptop at the demonstration site to Kymeta’s corporate headquarters in Redmond, Wash., where a team celebration was held.

“This is a tremendous milestone for our company,” said Vern Fotheringham, Chairman and CEO of Kymeta. “This successful demonstration proves that our technology is ready for commercial production, and we’re excited to move full steam ahead to develop transformative products and solutions for fixed, portable and mobile applications.”

Kymeta is expected to have prototype units ready for field trials in 2014 with initial availability of commercial products in early 2015.

“Our engineering team has worked many late hours to accomplish today’s demonstration, and it is a testament not only to our technology but also to our team of talented individuals working at Kymeta.”
—Dr. Nathan Kundtz, Founder and CTO of Kymeta

About Kymeta Corporation
Kymeta Corporation is commercializing a new, innovative software-enabled metamaterials-based electronic beamforming antenna for satellite communications. Kymeta has been named by MIT Technology Review, as well as CNBC, as one of 2013’s 50 most disruptive companies as part of their annual list of the world’s most innovative technology companies. The Company is based in Redmond, Wash. and operates on a worldwide basis.