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The Company and a Summary of Its Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 03, 2015

Principles of consolidation

The Company’s 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

For fiscal year 2015 and prior periods, the Company’s fiscal year ended on the Friday closest to March 31, resulting in a 52 or 53 week year approximately every four to five years as a result of the shift in fiscal calendar. For example, references to fiscal year 2015 refer to the fiscal year ended April 3, 2015 and the Company’s quarters for fiscal year 2015 ended on July 4, 2014, October 3, 2014, January 2, 2015 and April 3, 2015. Fiscal year 2014 was a 53 week year, compared with a 52 week year in fiscal years 2015 and 2013. The Company does not believe that the extra week resulted in any material impact on its financial results. On May 4, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a change in the Company’s fiscal year from a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Friday closest to March 31 to a fiscal year ending on March 31 of each year, effective with the fiscal year commencing April 4, 2015. Beginning April 4, 2015, the Company’s fiscal quarters will end on June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31 of each year.

Management estimates and assumptions

Management estimates and assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (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.

Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable, unbilled accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

The Company records receivables at net realizable value including an allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, the age of accounts receivable balances and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are charged or written off against the reserve. Historically, the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts has been minimal primarily because a significant portion of its sales has been to the U.S. government or with respect to its satellite services commercial business, the Company bills and collects in advance.

Unbilled accounts receivable

Unbilled accounts receivables consist of costs and fees earned and billable on contract completion or other specified events. Unbilled accounts receivables are generally expected to be billed and collected within one year.

Concentration of risk

Concentration of risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and accounts receivable which are generally not collateralized. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions and investing in high quality short-term debt instruments. The Company establishes customer credit policies related to its accounts receivable based on historical collection experiences within the various markets in which the Company operates, historical past due amounts and any specific information that the Company becomes aware of such as bankruptcy or liquidity issues of customers.

Revenues from the U.S. government as an individual customer comprised approximately 22.8%, 21.2% and 24.1% of total revenues for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Billed accounts receivable to the U.S. government as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014 were approximately 30.6% and 22.3%, respectively, of total billed receivables. In addition, none of the Company’s commercial customers comprised 10.0% or more of total revenues for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013. The Company’s five largest contracts generated approximately 21.1%, 26.4% and 24.0% of the Company’s total revenues for the fiscal years ended April 3, 2015, April 4, 2014 and March 29, 2013, respectively.

The Company relies on a limited number of contract manufacturers to produce its products.

Inventory

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market, cost being determined by the weighted average cost method.

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, which for the periods presented, primarily related to losses incurred for unreturned customer premise equipment (CPE).

Interest expense is capitalized on the carrying value of assets under construction, in accordance with the authoritative guidance for the capitalization of interest (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 835-20). With respect to assets under construction, including the ViaSat-2 satellite which commenced construction during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company capitalized $16.2 million, $8.1 million, and $3.1 million of interest expense during the fiscal years ended April 3, 2015, April 4, 2014 and March 29, 2013, respectively.

The Company owns two satellites: ViaSat-1 (its first high-capacity Ka-band spot-beam satellite, which was placed into service in January 2012) and WildBlue-1 (which was placed into service in March 2007). During the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company entered into a satellite construction contract for ViaSat-2, its second high-capacity Ka-band satellite. In addition, the Company has an exclusive prepaid lifetime capital lease of Ka-band capacity over the contiguous United States on Telesat Canada’s Anik F2 satellite (which was placed into service in April 2005) and owns related gateway and networking equipment for all of its satellites. The Company periodically reviews the remaining estimated useful life of its satellites to determine if revisions to estimated lives are necessary. The Company procures indoor and outdoor CPE units leased to subscribers under a retail leasing program as part of the Company’s satellite services segment, which are reflected in investing activities and property and equipment in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company depreciates the satellites, gateway and networking equipment, CPE units and related installation costs over their estimated useful lives. The total cost and accumulated depreciation of CPE units included in property and equipment, net, as of April 3, 2015 were $250.3 million and $107.8 million, respectively. The total cost and accumulated depreciation of CPE units included in property and equipment, net, as of April 4, 2014 were $221.0 million and $79.8 million, respectively.

Occasionally, the Company may enter into capital lease arrangements for various machinery, equipment, computer-related equipment, software, furniture or fixtures. The Company records amortization of assets leased under capital lease arrangements within depreciation expense.

Capitalized interest policy

Goodwill and intangible assets

Goodwill and intangible assets

The authoritative guidance for business combinations (ASC 805) requires that all business combinations be accounted for using the purchase method. The authoritative guidance for business combinations also specifies criteria for recognizing and reporting intangible assets apart from goodwill; however, acquired workforce must be recognized and reported in goodwill. The authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets (ASC 350) requires that intangible assets with an indefinite life should not be amortized until their life is determined to be finite. All other intangible assets must be amortized over their useful life. The authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets prohibits the amortization of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, but instead requires these assets to be tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently upon the occurrence of specified events. In addition, all goodwill must be assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing.

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. Total capitalized costs of $3.2 million related to patents were included in other assets as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014. The Company had capitalized costs of $15.1 million and $13.5 million related to acquiring and obtaining orbital slots and other licenses included in other assets as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, respectively. Accumulated amortization related to these assets was $1.4 million and $1.0 million as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense related to these assets was an insignificant amount for the fiscal years ended April 3, 2015, April 4, 2014 and March 29, 2013. If a patent, orbital slot or orbital license is rejected, abandoned or otherwise invalidated, the unamortized cost is expensed in that period. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, 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 using the effective interest rate method, or, when the results are not materially different, on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the related debt. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company capitalized approximately $3.5 million, $2.5 million and $8.1 million, respectively, of 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 and comprehensive income (loss). Other 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 $119.9 million and $91.0 million related to software developed for resale were included in other assets as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, respectively. The Company capitalized $52.4 million and $41.5 million of costs related to software developed for resale for fiscal years ended April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, respectively. Amortization expense for software development costs was $23.5 million, $11.1 million and $7.2 million during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Impairment of long-lived and other long-term assets (property, equipment, and satellites, and other assets, including goodwill)

Impairment of long-lived and other long-term assets (property, equipment, and satellites, and other assets, including goodwill)

In accordance with the authoritative guidance for impairment or disposal of long-lived assets (ASC 360), the Company assesses potential impairments to long-lived assets, including property, equipment and satellites, and other assets, when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset (or group of assets) are less than its carrying value. Any required impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, and would be recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and charged to results of operations. No material impairments were recorded by the Company for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.

The Company accounts for its goodwill under the authoritative guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets (ASC 350) and Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2011-08 (ASU 2011-08), Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (ASC 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which simplifies how the Company tests goodwill for impairment. Current authoritative guidance allows the Company to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. If, after completing the qualitative assessment, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value is greater than the carrying value, the Company concludes that no impairment exists. If it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, a second step is performed in which the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to its carrying value. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value, goodwill must be written down to its implied fair value, resulting in goodwill impairment. The Company tests goodwill for impairment during the fourth quarter every fiscal year and when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is reasonably possible that an impairment may exist.

The qualitative analysis includes assessing the impact of changes in certain factors including (1) changes in forecasted operating results and comparing actual results to projections, (2) changes in the industry or its competitive environment since the acquisition date, (3) changes in the overall economy, its market share and market interest rates since the acquisition date, (4) trends in the stock price and related market capitalization and enterprise values, (5) trends in peer companies total enterprise value metrics, and (6) additional factors such as management turnover, changes in regulation and changes in litigation matters.

Based on the Company’s qualitative assessment performed during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2015, the Company concluded that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units exceeded their carrying value as of April 3, 2015, and therefore, determined it was not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. No impairments were recorded by the Company related to goodwill and other intangible assets for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Warranty reserves

Warranty reserves

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 accrued liabilities and amounts expected to be incurred beyond twelve months are classified as other liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. 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 costs, the Company bases its estimates on its experience with the technology involved and the types 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 (see Note 13).

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 has recorded self-insurance liability for its plans of $3.9 million and $3.5 million as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, 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. At April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, no such amounts were accrued related to the aforementioned provisions.

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 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.

Foreign currency

Foreign currency

In general, the functional currency of a foreign operation is deemed to be the local country’s currency. Consequently, assets and liabilities of operations outside the United States are generally translated into U.S. dollars, and the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within ViaSat, Inc. stockholders’ equity.

Revenue recognition percentage of completion method

Revenue recognition

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 (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.

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, 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. The Company also considers specific renewal rates offered to customers for software license updates, product support and hardware systems support, and other services. 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), volume commitments 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 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 (SG&A) expenses.

Commissions

Commissions

The Company compensates third parties based on specific commission programs directly related to certain product and service sales, and these commissions costs are expensed as incurred.

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 consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 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.

Independent research and development

Independent research and development

Independent research and development (IR&D), which is not directly funded by a third party, is expensed as incurred. IR&D expenses consist primarily of salaries and other personnel-related expenses, supplies, prototype materials and other expenses related to research and development programs.

Rent expense, deferred rent obligations and deferred lease incentives

Rent expense, deferred rent obligations and deferred lease incentives

The Company leases all of its facilities under operating leases. Some of these lease agreements contain tenant improvement allowances funded by landlord incentives, rent holidays and rent escalation clauses. The authoritative guidance for leases (ASC 840) requires rent expense to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The difference between the rent due under the stated periods of the lease compared to that of the straight-line basis is recorded as deferred rent within other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

For purposes of recognizing landlord incentives and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, the Company uses the date that it obtains the legal right to use and control the leased space to begin recording rent expense, which is generally when the Company enters the space and begins to make improvements in preparation of occupying new space. For tenant improvement allowances funded by landlord incentives and rent holidays, the Company records a deferred lease incentive liability in accrued and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and amortizes the deferred liability as a reduction to rent expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) over the term of the lease.

Certain lease agreements contain rent escalation clauses which provide for scheduled rent increases during the lease term or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy. Such increasing rent expense is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

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.

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.

The Company’s analysis of the need for a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets considered the losses incurred during the fiscal years ended April 4, 2014 and March 29, 2013 and the income generated during fiscal year April 3, 2015. In fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded a significant loss, a substantial portion of which resulted from an extinguishment of debt charge that was recorded upon the refinancing of the Company’s former 8.875% Senior Notes due 2016 (2016 Notes) with the proceeds from the issuance of additional 6.875% Senior Notes due 2020 (2020 Notes), which provides a benefit to net income due to the lower interest rate of the 2020 Notes. The loss from fiscal year 2014 was less significant and a substantial portion of that loss related to legal expense focused on protecting and extending the Company’s technology advantages in litigation against Space Systems/Loral, Inc. (SS/L) and its former parent company Loral Space & Communications, Inc. (Loral), which was resolved in the Company’s favor during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015 (see Note 12). In addition to these events, the Company’s evaluation considered other factors, including the Company’s contractual backlog, the Company’s history of positive earnings, current earnings trends assuming the Company’s satellite subscriber base continues to grow, taxable income adjusted for certain items, and forecasted income by jurisdiction. The Company also considered 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.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and potential common stock, if dilutive during the period. Potential common stock includes options granted and restricted stock units awarded under the Company’s equity compensation plan which are included in the earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method, common shares expected to be issued under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan, and shares potentially issuable under the ViaSat 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan in connection with the Company’s decision to pay a discretionary match in common stock or cash. The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to ViaSat, Inc. common stockholders is the same for the fiscal years ended April 4, 2014 and March 29, 2013, as the Company incurred a net loss for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 and inclusion of potential common stock would be antidilutive.

Segment reporting

Segment reporting

The Company’s reporting segments, namely its satellite services, commercial networks and government systems segments, are primarily distinguished by the type of customer and the related contractual requirements. The Company’s satellite services segment provides retail and wholesale satellite-based broadband services for its consumer, enterprise and mobile broadband customers primarily in the United States. The Company’s commercial networks segment develops and produces a variety of advanced end-to-end satellite and other wireless communication systems and ground networking equipment and products, some of which are ultimately used by the Company’s satellite services segment. The Company’s government systems segment develops and produces network-centric, Internet Protocol (IP)-based fixed and mobile secure government communications systems, network management systems, products, services and solutions and provides global mobile broadband service and product offerings. The more regulated government environment is subject to unique contractual requirements and possesses economic characteristics which differ from the satellite services and commercial networks segments. 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 (see Note 15).

Recent authoritative guidance

Recent authoritative guidance

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (ASC 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity. ASU 2013-05 clarifies that the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only when a reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or a business within a foreign entity. Further, for an equity method investment that is a foreign entity, a pro rata portion of the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income upon a partial sale of such an equity method investment. These amendments are to be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 and the authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (ASC 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against available deferred tax assets for losses and other carryforward benefits that would be available to offset the liability for uncertain tax positions rather than presenting the unrecognized tax benefits on a gross basis. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 and the authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. ASU 2014-08 limits the requirement to report discontinued operations to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amendments also require expanded disclosures concerning discontinued operations and disclosures of certain financial results attributable to a disposal of a significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. These amendments will become effective prospectively for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer. This guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance and will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted, but the guidance permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not selected a transition method and the Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-17, Business Combinations (ASC 805): Pushdown Accounting. ASU 2014-17 provides companies with the option to apply pushdown accounting in their separate financial statements upon occurrence of an event in which an acquirer obtains control of the acquired entity. The election to apply pushdown accounting can be made either in the period in which the change of control occurred, or in a subsequent period. This guidance became effective for the Company in November 2014 and the authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation (ASC 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. ASU 2015-02 amended the process that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. This guidance will become effective for the Company in fiscal year 2017, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest — Imputation of Interest (ASC 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. This new guidance will be effective for the Company in fiscal year 2017, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance shall be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its 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:

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

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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.

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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 measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014:


	Fair Value as of April 3, 2015		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	2,033	$	2,033	$	—	$	—

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,033	$	2,033	$	—	$	—


	Fair Value as of April 4, 2014		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	2,087	$	2,087	$	—	$	—
Foreign currency forward contracts		40		—		40		—

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,127	$	2,087	$	40	$	—

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 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 its revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) and under its direct loan facility with the Export-Import Bank of the United States for ViaSat-2 (the Ex-Im Credit Facility and, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the Credit Facilities), reported at the outstanding principal amount of borrowings, and $575.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 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 April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s outstanding long-term debt related to the 2020 Notes was determined using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and was $610.9 million and $616.7 million, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt related to the Revolving Credit Facility approximates its carrying amount due to its variable interest rate, which approximates a market interest rate. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt related to the Ex-Im Credit Facility approximates its carrying amount due to the proximity of the closing of the Ex-Im Credit Facility compared to the reporting date.

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). As of each of April 3, 2015 and April 4, 2014, the Company’s estimated satellite performance incentives obligation and accrued interest was $22.4 million and $22.6 million, respectively.

Other acquired intangible assets

Other acquired intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of two to ten years.

Acquisition

The Company accounts for business combinations pursuant to the authoritative guidance for business combinations (ASC 805). Accordingly, the Company allocated the purchase price of the acquired company to the net tangible assets and intangible assets acquired based upon their estimated fair values. Under the authoritative guidance for business combinations, acquisition-related transaction costs and acquisition-related restructuring charges are not included as components of consideration transferred but are accounted for as expenses in the period in which the costs are incurred. Merger-related transaction costs incurred by the Company during the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 were approximately $0.4 million, which were recorded in SG&A expenses.

The intangible assets acquired in the NetNearU business combination were determined, in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations, based on the estimated fair values using valuation techniques consistent with the market approach and/or income approach to measure fair value. The remaining useful lives were estimated based on the underlying agreements and/or the future economic benefit expected to be received from the assets.

Operating leases

The Company leases office and other facilities under non-cancelable operating leases with initial terms ranging from one to fifteen years which expire between fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2025 and provide for pre-negotiated fixed rental rates during the terms of the lease. Certain of the Company’s facilities leases contain option provisions which allow for extension of the lease terms.

For operating leases, minimum lease payments, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term as that term is defined in the authoritative guidance for leases including any option periods considered in the lease term and any periods during which the Company has use of the property but is not charged rent by a landlord (“rent holiday”). Leasehold improvement incentives paid to the Company by a landlord are recorded as a liability and amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term.