ViaSat-2 satellite lifted off Thursday from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.

ViaSat-2 is a geostationary satellite that operates in Ka-band frequencies and was reportedly designed to offer high-capacity connectivity and wide coverage, with the flexibility to move capacity to where demand requires it. According to a ViaSat statement, it is expected to significantly improve speeds, reduce costs and expand the footprint of broadband services across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, a portion of northern South America, as well as the primary aeronautical and maritime routes across the Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe.

“The innovations in our ViaSat-2 spacecraft and underlying network will enable us to be one step closer to connecting the world, and delivering new higher speed fixed and mobility services that will continue to compete with traditional broadband services,” Mark Dankberg, ViaSat’s chairman and CEO, comments.