Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Dec. 28, 2012

Principles of consolidation

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of ViaSat, its wholly owned subsidiaries and TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. (TrellisWare), a majority-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated.

Fiscal period

The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to March 31 of the specified year. For example, references to fiscal year 2013 refer to the fiscal year ending on March 29, 2013. The Company’s quarters for fiscal year 2013 end on June 29, 2012, September 28, 2012, December 28, 2012 and March 29, 2013. This results in a 53 week fiscal year approximately every four to five years. Fiscal years 2013 and 2012 are both 52-week years.

Management estimates and assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best available information and actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, self-insurance reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts, warranty accruals, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, patents, orbital slots and other licenses, software development, property, equipment and satellites, long-lived assets, derivatives, contingencies and income taxes including the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Revenue recognition percentage of completion method

A substantial portion of the Company’s revenues is derived from long-term contracts requiring development and delivery of complex equipment built to customer specifications. Sales related to long-term contracts are accounted for under the authoritative guidance for the percentage-of-completion method of accounting (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 605-35). Sales and earnings under these contracts are recorded either based on the ratio of actual costs incurred to date to total estimated costs expected to be incurred related to the contract, or as products are shipped under the units-of-delivery method. Anticipated losses on contracts are recognized in full in the period in which losses become probable and estimable. Changes in estimates of profit or loss on contracts are included in earnings on a cumulative basis in the period the estimate is changed. During the three months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, the Company recorded losses of approximately $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, related to loss contracts. During the nine months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, the Company recorded losses of approximately $3.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, related to loss contracts.

Revenue recognition sale of goods and services

The Company also derives a substantial portion of its revenues from contracts and purchase orders where revenue is recorded on delivery of products or performance of services in accordance with the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition (ASC 605). Under this standard, the Company recognizes revenue when an arrangement exists, prices are determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and the goods or services have been delivered.

Revenue recognition leases

The Company also enters into certain leasing arrangements with customers and evaluates the contracts in accordance with the authoritative guidance for leases (ASC 840). The Company’s accounting for equipment leases involves specific determinations under the authoritative guidance for leases, which often involve complex provisions and significant judgments. In accordance with the authoritative guidance for leases, the Company classifies the transactions as sales type or operating leases based on (1) review for transfers of ownership of the equipment to the lessee by the end of the lease term, (2) review of the lease terms to determine if it contains an option to purchase the leased equipment for a price which is sufficiently lower than the expected fair value of the equipment at the date of the option, (3) review of the lease term to determine if it is equal to or greater than 75% of the economic life of the equipment, and (4) review of the present value of the minimum lease payments to determine if they are equal to or greater than 90% of the fair market value of the equipment at the inception of the lease. Additionally, the Company considers the cancelability of the contract and any related uncertainty of collections or risk in recoverability of the lease investment at lease inception. Revenue from sales type leases is recognized at the inception of the lease or when the equipment has been delivered and installed at the customer site, if installation is required. Revenues from equipment rentals under operating leases are recognized as earned over the lease term, which is generally on a straight-line basis.

Revenue recognition multiple element arrangements

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition for multiple element arrangements, the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2009-13 (ASU 2009-13), Revenue Recognition (ASC 605) Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements, which updates ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition-Multiple element arrangements, of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) codification, for substantially all of the arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company allocates revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy at the arrangement inception. The selling price for each element is based upon the following selling price hierarchy: vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) if available, third party evidence (TPE) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price (ESP) if neither VSOE nor TPE are available (a description as to how the Company determines VSOE, TPE and ESP is provided below). If a tangible hardware systems product includes software, the Company determines whether the tangible hardware systems product and the software work together to deliver the product’s essential functionality and, if so, the entire product is treated as a nonsoftware deliverable. The total arrangement consideration is allocated to each separate unit of accounting for each of the nonsoftware deliverables using the relative selling prices of each unit based on the aforementioned selling price hierarchy. Revenue for each separate unit of accounting is recognized when the applicable revenue recognition criteria for each element have been met.

To determine the selling price in multiple-element arrangements, the Company establishes VSOE of the selling price using the price charged for a deliverable when sold separately and for software license updates, product support and hardware systems support, based on the renewal rates offered to customers. For nonsoftware multiple-element arrangements, TPE is established by evaluating similar and/or interchangeable competitor products or services in standalone arrangements with similarly situated customers and/or agreements. If the Company is unable to determine the selling price because VSOE or TPE doesn’t exist, the Company determines ESP for the purposes of allocating the arrangement by reviewing historical transactions, including transactions whereby the deliverable was sold on a standalone basis and considers several other external and internal factors including, but not limited to, pricing practices including discounting, margin objectives, competition, the geographies in which the Company offers its products and services, the type of customer (i.e., distributor, value added reseller, government agency or direct end user, among others) and the stage of the product lifecycle. The determination of ESP considers the Company’s pricing model and go-to-market strategy. As the Company, or its competitors’, pricing and go-to-market strategies evolve, the Company may modify its pricing practices in the future, which could result in changes to its determination of VSOE, TPE and ESP. As a result, the Company’s future revenue recognition for multiple-element arrangements could differ materially from those in the current period.

Revenue recognition shipping and handling fees and costs

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for shipping and handling fees and costs (ASC 605-45), the Company records shipping and handling costs billed to customers as a component of revenues, and shipping and handling costs incurred by the Company for inbound and outbound freight as a component of cost of revenues.

Revenue recognition collections in excess of revenues and deferred revenues

Collections in excess of revenues and deferred revenues represent cash collected from customers in advance of revenue recognition and are recorded in accrued liabilities for obligations within the next twelve months. Amounts for obligations extending beyond twelve months are recorded within other liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for advertising costs (ASC 720-35), advertising costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A). Advertising expenses for the three months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 were $5.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 were $17.0 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

Commissions

Commissions

The Company compensates third parties based on specific commission programs directly related to certain product and service sales. These commission costs are recorded as an element of selling, general and administrative expense as incurred.

Property, equipment and satellites

Property, equipment and satellites

Satellites and other property and equipment are recorded at cost or, in the case of certain satellites and other property acquired, the fair value at the date of acquisition, net of accumulated depreciation. Capitalized satellite costs consist primarily of the costs of satellite construction and launch, including launch insurance and insurance during the period of in-orbit testing, the net present value of performance incentives expected to be payable to satellite manufacturers (dependent on the continued satisfactory performance of the satellites), costs directly associated with the monitoring and support of satellite construction, and interest costs incurred during the period of satellite construction. The Company also constructs gateway facilities, network operations systems and other assets to support its satellites, and those construction costs, including interest, are capitalized as incurred. At the time satellites are placed in service, the Company estimates the useful life of its satellites for depreciation purposes based upon an analysis of each satellite’s performance against the original manufacturer’s orbital design life, estimated fuel levels and related consumption rates, as well as historical satellite operating trends. The Company computes depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from two to twenty-four years. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the life of the improvement. Costs incurred for additions to property, equipment and satellites, together with major renewals and betterments, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining life of the underlying asset. Costs incurred for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals and betterments are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation or amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in operations.

Capitalized interest policy

Interest expense is capitalized on the carrying value of assets under construction, in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the capitalization of interest (ASC 835-20). During the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012, with respect to assets under construction, the Company capitalized $0.7 million and $2.3 million of interest expense, respectively. With respect to ViaSat-1, related gateway and networking equipment and other assets, the Company capitalized $8.1 million and $23.4 million of interest expense during the three and nine months ended December 30, 2011, respectively.

Patents, orbital slots and other licenses

Patents, orbital slots and other licenses

The Company capitalizes the costs of obtaining or acquiring patents, orbital slots and other licenses. Amortization of intangible assets that have finite lives is provided for by the straight-line method over the shorter of the legal or estimated economic life. As of December 28, 2012 and March 30, 2012, the Company had $3.2 million of capitalized costs related to patents included in other assets. As of December 28, 2012 and March 30, 2012, the Company had $8.6 million and $8.4 million, respectively, of capitalized costs related to acquiring and obtaining orbital slots and other licenses included in other assets. Accumulated amortization related to these assets was approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million as of December 28, 2012 and March 30, 2012, respectively. Amortization expense related to these assets was an insignificant amount for the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011. If a patent, orbital slot or orbital license is rejected, abandoned or otherwise invalidated, the unamortized cost is expensed in that period. During the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, the Company did not write off any significant costs due to abandonment or impairment.

Debt issuance costs

Debt issuance costs

Debt issuance costs are amortized and recognized as interest expense on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the related debt, which is not materially different from the effective interest rate basis. During the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012, the Company paid and capitalized approximately $5.8 million and $8.1 million, respectively, in debt issuance costs. During the three and nine months ended December 30, 2011, the Company did not pay or capitalize any debt issuance costs. Unamortized debt issuance costs related to extinguished debt are expensed at the time the debt is extinguished and recorded in loss on extinguishment of debt in the consolidated statements of operations. Unamortized debt issuance costs are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets and in other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets, depending on the amounts expected to be amortized to interest expense within the next twelve months.

Software development

Software development

Costs of developing software for sale are charged to research and development expense when incurred, until technological feasibility has been established. Software development costs incurred from the time technological feasibility is reached until the product is available for general release to customers are capitalized and reported at the lower of unamortized cost or net realizable value. Once the product is available for general release, the software development costs are amortized based on the ratio of current to future revenue for each product with an annual minimum equal to straight-line amortization over the remaining estimated economic life of the product, generally within five years. Capitalized costs, net, of $55.6 million and $42.0 million related to software developed for resale were included in other assets as of December 28, 2012 and March 30, 2012, respectively. The Company capitalized $6.6 million and $19.1 million of costs related to software developed for resale for the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012, respectively. The Company capitalized $6.5 million and $15.8 million of costs related to software developed for resale for the three and nine months ended December 30, 2011, respectively. Amortization expense for software development costs was $1.7 million and $5.5 million for the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012, respectively, and $0.8 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine months ended December 30, 2011, respectively.

Self-insurance liabilities

Self-insurance liabilities

The Company has self-insurance plans to retain a portion of the exposure for losses related to employee medical benefits and workers’ compensation. The self-insurance plans include policies which provide for both specific and aggregate stop-loss limits. The Company utilizes internal actuarial methods as well as other historical information for the purpose of estimating ultimate costs for a particular plan year. Based on these actuarial methods, along with currently available information and insurance industry statistics, the Company’s self-insurance liability for the plans was $2.0 million and $1.7 million as of December 28, 2012 and March 30, 2012, respectively. The Company’s estimate, which is subject to inherent variability, is based on average claims experience in the Company’s industry and its own experience in terms of frequency and severity of claims, including asserted and unasserted claims incurred but not reported, with no explicit provision for adverse fluctuation from year to year. This variability may lead to ultimate payments being either greater or less than the amounts presented above. Self-insurance liabilities have been classified as a current liability in accrued liabilities in accordance with the estimated timing of the projected payments.

Indemnification provisions

Indemnification provisions

In the ordinary course of business, the Company includes indemnification provisions in certain of its contracts, generally relating to parties with which the Company has commercial relations. Pursuant to these agreements, the Company will indemnify, hold harmless and agree to reimburse the indemnified party for losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party, including but not limited to losses relating to third-party intellectual property claims. To date, there have not been any material costs incurred in connection with such indemnification clauses. The Company’s insurance policies do not necessarily cover the cost of defending indemnification claims or providing indemnification, so if a claim was filed against the Company by any party that the Company has agreed to indemnify, the Company could incur substantial legal costs and damages. A claim would be accrued when a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Noncontrolling interest

Noncontrolling interest

A noncontrolling interest represents the equity interest in a subsidiary that is not attributable, either directly or indirectly, to the Company and is reported as equity of the Company, separately from the Company’s controlling interest. Revenues, expenses, gains, losses, net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) are reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements at the consolidated amounts, which include the amounts attributable to both the controlling and noncontrolling interest.

Derivatives

Derivatives

The Company enters into foreign currency forward and option contracts from time to time to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency transactions. Gains and losses arising from foreign currency forward and option contracts not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in other income (expense) as gains (losses) on derivative instruments. Gains and losses arising from the effective portion of foreign currency forward and option contracts which are designated as cash-flow hedging instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments until the underlying transaction affects the Company’s earnings, at which time they are then recorded in the same income statement line as the underlying transaction.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-based compensation

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for share-based payments (ASC 718), the Company measures stock-based compensation cost at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and recognizes expense on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 only for those awards ultimately expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated at the date of grant. The authoritative guidance for share-based payments requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company recognized $7.0 million and $19.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended December 28, 2012, respectively, and $5.8 million and $14.8 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended December 30, 2011, respectively.

Income taxes

Income taxes

Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with the authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes (ASC 740). The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The authoritative guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, and income tax disclosures. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters as a component of income tax expense. Current income tax expense is the amount of income taxes expected to be payable for the current fiscal year. A deferred income tax asset or liability is established for the expected future tax consequences resulting from differences in the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax credit and loss carryforwards.

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred income tax expense (benefit) is the net change during the year in the deferred income tax asset or liability. The Company’s analysis of the need for a valuation allowance considered the loss incurred during the nine months ended December 28, 2012. However, a substantial portion of the current loss was the result of an extinguishment of debt charge that was recorded upon the refinancing of certain of the Company’s debt obligations at lower interest rates, which is expected to provide a benefit to net income in the future. The Company’s evaluation considered other factors including, the Company’s history of positive earnings, taxable income adjusted for certain items, the Company’s significant growth in contractual backlog, and trends and forecasted income by jurisdiction. Consideration was also given to the lengthy period over which these net deferred tax assets can be realized, and the Company’s history of not having federal tax loss carryforwards expire unused.

Recent Authoritative Guidance

Recent authoritative guidance

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (ASC 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. The new authoritative guidance requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new authoritative guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of equity. In December 2011, the FASB further amended its guidance to defer changes related to the presentation of reclassification adjustments indefinitely as a result of concerns raised by stakeholders that the new presentation requirements would be difficult for preparers and add unnecessary complexity to financial statements. The authoritative guidance (other than the portion regarding the presentation of reclassification adjustments which, as noted above, has been deferred indefinitely) became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company retrospectively adopted the new accounting standard for the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements which resulted in the presentation of a total for comprehensive income (loss), and the components of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) in one statement. The adoption of this standard only changed how the Company presents comprehensive income (loss) and did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (ASC 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. The new authoritative guidance simplifies how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. The new authoritative guidance allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. The two-step quantitative impairment test is required only if, based on its qualitative assessment, an entity determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. This authoritative guidance is effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted if an entity’s financial statements for the more recent interim and annual period have not yet been issued. The Company early adopted this authoritative guidance in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012. Adoption of this authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11, Balance Sheet (ASC 210): Disclosures about offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The new authoritative guidance requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity’s financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments in the scope of this authoritative guidance. This authoritative guidance will be effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 and should be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that this authoritative guidance may have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-02, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (ASC 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The new authoritative guidance simplifies the requirements for testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill and permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative fair value test. The guidance is effective for the Company for annual and, if any, interim impairment tests in the fiscal year ending April 4, 2014 with early adoption permitted. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this standard will not have a material impact on the Company or its condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (ASC 820), the Company prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value from market-based assumptions to entity specific assumptions:

• Level 1 — Inputs based on quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.

• Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

• Level 3 — Inputs which reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the instruments valuation.

The following tables present the Company’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 28, 2012 and March 30, 2012:

	Fair Value as of December 28, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Cash equivalents	$	58,166	$	58,166	$	—	$	—
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	58,166	$	58,166	$	—	$	—
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	179	$	—	$	179	$	—
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	179	$	—	$	179	$	—

	Fair Value as of    March 30, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets
Cash equivalents	$	70,379	$	70,379	$	—	$	—
Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	70,379	$	70,379	$	—	$	—
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	443	$	—	$	443	$	—
Total liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	443	$	—	$	443	$	—

The following section describes the valuation methodologies the Company uses to measure financial instruments at fair value:

Cash equivalents — The Company’s cash equivalents consist of money market funds. Money market funds are valued using quoted prices for identical assets in an active market with sufficient volume and frequency of transactions (Level 1).

Foreign currency forward contracts — The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage foreign currency risk relating to foreign exchange rates. The Company does not use these instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The Company’s objective is to reduce the risk to earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and are measured at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair values of those derivative instruments are recorded to earnings or other comprehensive income (loss) depending on the use of the derivative instrument and whether it qualifies for hedge accounting. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts are valued using standard calculations/models that are primarily based on observable inputs, such as foreign currency exchange rates, or can be corroborated by observable market data (Level 2).

Long-term debt — The Company’s long-term debt consists of borrowings under (1) capital lease obligations reported at the present value of future minimum lease payments with current accrued interest, and (2) the Company’s 6.875% Senior Notes due 2020 (the 2020 Notes) reported at amortized cost. However, for disclosure purposes, the Company is required to measure the fair value of outstanding debt on a recurring basis. As of December 28, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt related to the initial $275.0 million of 2020 Notes (the Initial 2020 Notes) was determined using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and was approximately $287.4 million. As of March 30, 2012, the fair value of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt related to the Initial 2020 Notes had been determined using recent market transactions for similar notes (Level 2) and was approximately $280.2 million. The Initial 2020 Notes were exchanged in August 2012 for substantially identical Initial 2020 Notes that had been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which resulted in a change of the inputs used to measure the fair value of the Initial 2020 Notes from Level 2 (as of March 30, 2012) to Level 1 (as of December 28, 2012). The fair value of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt related to the additional $300.0 million of 2020 Notes issued in October 2012 (the Additional 2020 Notes) was determined using recent market transactions for similar notes (Level 2) and was approximately $313.5 million as of December 28, 2012. The Additional 2020 Notes were exchanged subsequent to the quarter end in January 2013 for substantially identical Additional 2020 Notes that had been registered with the SEC. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt related to its former 8.875% Senior Notes due 2016 (the 2016 Notes, and collectively with the 2020 Notes, the Senior Notes), which were repurchased and redeemed in connection with the issuance of the Additional 2020 Notes, had been determined using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and was approximately $298.4 million as of March 30, 2012. The fair value of the Company’s capital lease obligations was estimated to approximate their carrying value based on current rates (Level 2).

Satellite performance incentives obligation — The Company’s contract with the manufacturer of ViaSat-1 requires the Company to make monthly in-orbit satellite performance incentive payments, including interest at 7.0%, over a fifteen-year period from December 2011 to December 2026, subject to the continued satisfactory performance of the satellite. The Company recorded the net present value of these expected future payments as a liability and as a component of the cost of the satellite. However, for disclosure purposes, the Company is required to measure the fair value of outstanding satellite performance incentives on a recurring basis. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding satellite performance incentives is estimated to approximate their carrying value based on current rates (Level 2).

Product Warranty

Note 7 — Product Warranty

The Company provides limited warranties on its products for periods of up to five years. The Company records a liability for its warranty obligations when products are shipped or they are included in long-term construction contracts based upon an estimate of expected warranty costs. Amounts expected to be incurred within twelve months are classified as a current liability. For mature products, the warranty cost estimates are based on historical experience with the particular product. For newer products that do not have a history of warranty cost, the Company bases its estimates on its experience with the technology involved and the type of failures that may occur. It is possible that the Company’s underlying assumptions will not reflect the actual experience and in that case, future adjustments will be made to the recorded warranty obligation.

Segment Information

The Company’s segments are determined consistent with the way management currently organizes and evaluates financial information internally for making operating decisions and assessing performance.