Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Note 1 — Basis of Presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2017, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the condensed consolidated statement of equity for the six months ended September 30, 2017 have been prepared by the management of ViaSat, Inc. (also referred to hereafter as the Company or ViaSat), and have not been audited. These financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results for the periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of ViaSat, its wholly owned subsidiaries and its majority-owned subsidiaries, TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. (TrellisWare) and Euro Broadband Retail Sàrl (Euro Retail Co.). All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated. Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as investment in unconsolidated affiliate in other assets (long-term) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. 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* 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 September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded losses of approximately $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to loss contracts. During the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded losses of approximately $3.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to loss contracts. 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. 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. 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. 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’s, 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. 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. 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 12 months. Amounts for obligations extending beyond 12 months are recorded within other liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Contract costs on U.S. government contracts are subject to audit and review by the Defense Contracting Management Agency (DCMA), the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and other U.S. government agencies, as well as negotiations with U.S. government representatives. The Company’s incurred cost audits by the DCAA have not been concluded for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the DCAA had completed its incurred cost audit for fiscal year 2004 and approved the Company’s incurred cost claims for fiscal years 2005 through 2015 without further audit. Although the Company has recorded contract revenues subsequent to fiscal year 2015 based upon an estimate of costs that the Company believes will be approved upon final audit or review, the Company does not know the outcome of any ongoing or future audits or reviews and adjustments, and if future adjustments exceed the Company’s estimates, its profitability would be adversely affected. As of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, the Company had $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, in contract-related reserves for its estimate of potential refunds to customers for potential cost adjustments on several multi-year U.S. government cost reimbursable contracts (see Note 8). *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. Advertising expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $2.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $3.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively. *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. *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 earth stations, 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. Costs related to internally developed software for internal uses are capitalized after the preliminary project stage is complete and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets. 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). The Company computes depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from two to 24 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. 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). With respect to assets under construction, including the ViaSat-2 satellite and related gateway and networking equipment (which commenced construction during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014), and the ViaSat-3 class satellites (which commenced construction during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016), the Company capitalized $16.1 million and $11.6 million of interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and capitalized $30.7 million and $21.8 million of interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company owns two satellites in service: ViaSat-1 (its first-generation 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). On June 1, 2017, the Company’s second-generation ViaSat-2 satellite was successfully launched into orbit, and the satellite manufacturer will transfer operation of the satellite to the Company following the successful completion of orbit raising, orbital placement and in-orbit testing. The Company currently has two third-generation ViaSat-3 class satellites under construction. The Company also 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 earth stations 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 condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company depreciates the satellites, earth stations 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 September 30, 2017 were $260.2 million and $162.4 million, respectively. The total cost and accumulated depreciation of CPE units included in property and equipment, net, as of March 31, 2017 were $271.9 million and $158.2 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. *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 September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017. The Company capitalized costs of $15.4 million related to acquiring and obtaining orbital slots and other licenses included in other assets as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017. Accumulated amortization related to these assets was $2.3 million and $2.1 million as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Amortization expense related to these assets was an insignificant amount for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. 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 six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not write off any significant costs due to abandonment or impairment. *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 the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, $9.8 million and an insignificant amount, respectively, of debt issuance costs were capitalized. During the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, $9.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs were capitalized. 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 condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets and in other long-term assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the authoritative guidance for imputation of interest (ASC 835-30). Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s 5.625% Senior Notes due 2025 (the 2025 Notes) and the Company’s direct loan facility with the Export-Import Bank of the United States for ViaSat-2 (the Ex-Im Credit Facility) are recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt, consistent with debt discounts, in accordance with the authoritative guidance for imputation of interest (ASC 835-30). *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 $225.2 million and $203.7 million related to software developed for resale were included in other assets as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. The Company capitalized $20.0 million and $37.8 million of costs related to software developed for resale for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company capitalized $19.7 million and $40.7 million of costs related to software developed for resale for the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Amortization expense for capitalized software development costs was $6.6 million and $16.3 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $8.7 million and $16.4 million for the three and six months ended September, 30, 2016, respectively. *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 $4.2 million in accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, 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* 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 September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, no such amounts were accrued related to the aforementioned provisions. *Noncontrolling interests* 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. *Investments in unconsolidated affiliate — equity method* Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as investment in unconsolidated affiliate in other assets (long-term) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its share of the results of such entities within equity in income (losses) of unconsolidated affiliate, net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company monitors such investments for other-than-temporary impairment by considering factors including the current economic and market conditions and the operating performance of the entities and records reductions in carrying values when necessary. The fair value of privately held investments is estimated using the best available information as of the valuation date, including current earnings trends, undiscounted cash flows, quoted stock prices of comparable public companies, and other company specific information, including recent financing rounds. *Common stock held in treasury* As of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, the Company had no shares of common stock held in treasury. During the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 106,741 and 102,103 shares of common stock, respectively, based on the vesting terms of certain restricted stock unit agreements. In order for employees to satisfy minimum statutory employee tax withholding requirements related to the issuance of common stock underlying these restricted stock unit agreements, during the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company repurchased 36,666 and 34,204 shares of common stock, respectively, at cost and in each instance with a total value of $2.5 million. The shares of common stock repurchased during the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were immediately retired. These retired shares remain as authorized stock; however they are considered to be unissued. The retirement of treasury stock had no impact on the Company’s total consolidated stockholders’ equity. Although shares withheld for employee withholding taxes are technically not issued, they are treated as common stock repurchases for accounting purposes (with such shares deemed to be repurchased and then immediately retired), as they reduce the number of shares that otherwise would have been issued upon vesting of the restricted stock units. *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. During the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company settled certain foreign exchange contracts and in connection therewith for each period recognized an insignificant gain or loss recorded in cost of revenues based on the nature of the underlying transactions. The fair value of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts was an insignificant amount recorded as an other current asset as of September 30, 2017 and as an accrued liability as of March 31, 2017. The notional value of foreign currency forward contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017 was $1.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively. At September 30, 2017, the estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses related to foreign currency forward contracts that was expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months was insignificant. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 will mature within approximately 30 to 36 months from their inception. There were no gains or losses from ineffectiveness of these derivative instruments recorded for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. *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. Effective April 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy in accordance with ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718) to account for forfeitures as they occur. Prior to April 1, 2017, forfeitures were estimated at the date of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from those estimates. The Company recognized $16.0 million and $31.5 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company recognized $12.6 million and $25.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Effective April 1, 2017, in accordance with ASU 2016-09, on a prospective basis, the Company recognizes excess tax benefits or deficiencies on vesting or settlement of awards as discrete items within income tax benefit or provision within net income (loss) and the related cash flows classified within operating activities. Prior to April 1, 2017 any unrealized excess tax benefits were tracked off the balance sheet and recognition of the benefits was deferred until realized through a reduction in taxes payable. When the excess tax benefits or deficiencies were realized, they were recognized in paid-in-capital and the related cash flows were classified as an outflow from operating activities and an inflow from financing activities. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recorded an insignificant amount of incremental tax deficiencies from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released as an income tax expense. For the six months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recorded an insignificant amount of incremental tax benefits from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released as an income tax benefit. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded no incremental tax benefits from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released as the excess tax benefit from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released increased the Company’s net operating loss carryforward. *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 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. The Company calculates its provision for income taxes at the end of each interim reporting period on the basis of an estimated annual effective tax rate adjusted for tax items that are discrete to each period. However, when a reliable estimate cannot be made, the Company computes its provision for income taxes using the actual effective tax rate for the year-to-date period. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, the Company used the actual effective tax rate method in calculating the income tax provision for the period as a reliable estimate of the annual effective tax rate could not be made. 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. *Recent authoritative guidance* 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 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period, based on the FASB decision in July 2015 (ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date) to delay the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year, but providing entities a choice to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which provides practical expedient for contract modifications and clarification on assessing the collectability criterion, presentation of sales taxes, measurement date for non-cash consideration and completed contracts at transition. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides for correction or improvement to the guidance previously issued in ASU 2014-09. These standards permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company currently plans to adopt the standard in fiscal year 2019 using the “modified retrospective method.” Under that method, the Company will apply the rules to all contracts existing as of April 1, 2018, recognizing in beginning retained earnings an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the change and providing additional disclosures comparing results to previous accounting standards. Upon initial evaluation, the Company believes the key changes in the standard that impact its revenue recognition relate to the deferral of commissions in the Company’s satellite service segment, which are currently expensed as incurred under the current standard. The requirement to defer incremental contract acquisition costs and recognize them with the transfer of the related good or service will result in the recognition of a deferred charge on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and corresponding impact to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASC 825-10). ASU 2016-01 requires that most equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method for accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income (loss). The new guidance also impacts financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new guidance should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. ASU 2016-01 will become effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted with certain stipulations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets and eliminates certain real estate-specific provisions. The new guidance will become effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 will be adopted on a modified retrospective transition basis for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument, in and of itself, does not require dedesignation of a hedging relationship. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a prospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent put or call option in a debt instrument qualifies as a separate derivative. The new guidance is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis to all existing and future debt instruments of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a modified retrospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investment — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (ASC 323). ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when a reporting entity obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a prospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718). ASU 2016-09 simplifies various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. The new guidance became effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. On a prospective basis the Company recognizes excess tax benefits or deficiencies on vesting or settlement of awards as discrete items within income tax benefit or provision within net income (loss) and the related cash flows classified within operating activities. With respect to the forfeiture accounting policy election, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, adopted on a modified retrospective basis as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The election to account for forfeitures as they occur did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. See Note 9 for additional information regarding the impact of the adoption of this guidance. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (ASC 326). ASU 2016-13 requires credit losses on most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments to be measured using an expected credit loss model (referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model). It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The new guidance will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance is required to be applied on a modified-retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230). ASU 2016-15 makes eight targeted changes to how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case the Company would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company early adopted the guidance on a retrospective basis in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 and as a result cash payments for debt prepayment and extinguishment are classified as cash outflows for financing activities. Otherwise the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASU 2016-16 requires that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs as opposed to when the asset has been sold to an outside party. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a modified retrospective basis through cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17, Consolidation: Interests Held through Related Parties That Are Under Common Control (ASC 810). The amendments change how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. The new standard became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a retrospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASC 805). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted with limitations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASC 350). ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income — Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (ASC 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 clarifies the scope and accounting of a financial asset that meets the definition of an “in-substance nonfinancial asset” and defines the term “in-substance nonfinancial asset.” ASU 2017-05 also adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The standard will become effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (ASC 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. ASU 2017-08 amends the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-10, Service Concession Arrangements (ASC 853): Determining the Customer of the Operation Services. ASU 2017-10 provides clarity on determining the customer in a service concession arrangement. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity, beginning with the earliest period presented, or a retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. ASU 2017-12 improves the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in current GAAP. The amendments in this update better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and presentation of hedge results. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2017, the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 and the condensed consolidated statement of equity for the six months ended September 30, 2017 have been prepared by the management of ViaSat, Inc. (also referred to hereafter as the Company or ViaSat), and have not been audited. These financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s results for the periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of ViaSat, its wholly owned subsidiaries and its majority-owned subsidiaries, TrellisWare Technologies, Inc. (TrellisWare) and Euro Broadband Retail Sàrl (Euro Retail Co.). All significant intercompany amounts have been eliminated. Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as investment in unconsolidated affiliate in other assets (long-term) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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

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 September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded losses of approximately $1.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to loss contracts. During the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded losses of approximately $3.7 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to loss contracts.

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.

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.

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. 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’s, 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.

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.

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 12 months. Amounts for obligations extending beyond 12 months are recorded within other liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Contract costs on U.S. government contracts are subject to audit and review by the Defense Contracting Management Agency (DCMA), the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), and other U.S. government agencies, as well as negotiations with U.S. government representatives. The Company’s incurred cost audits by the DCAA have not been concluded for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the DCAA had completed its incurred cost audit for fiscal year 2004 and approved the Company’s incurred cost claims for fiscal years 2005 through 2015 without further audit. Although the Company has recorded contract revenues subsequent to fiscal year 2015 based upon an estimate of costs that the Company believes will be approved upon final audit or review, the Company does not know the outcome of any ongoing or future audits or reviews and adjustments, and if future adjustments exceed the Company’s estimates, its profitability would be adversely affected. As of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, the Company had $1.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively, in contract-related reserves for its estimate of potential refunds to customers for potential cost adjustments on several multi-year U.S. government cost reimbursable contracts (see Note 8).

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. Advertising expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $2.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, and for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were $3.5 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

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.

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 earth stations, 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. Costs related to internally developed software for internal uses are capitalized after the preliminary project stage is complete and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets. 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). The Company computes depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from two to 24 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.

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). With respect to assets under construction, including the ViaSat-2 satellite and related gateway and networking equipment (which commenced construction during the first quarter of fiscal year 2014), and the ViaSat-3 class satellites (which commenced construction during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016), the Company capitalized $16.1 million and $11.6 million of interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and capitalized $30.7 million and $21.8 million of interest expense for the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Company owns two satellites in service: ViaSat-1 (its first-generation 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). On June 1, 2017, the Company’s second-generation ViaSat-2 satellite was successfully launched into orbit, and the satellite manufacturer will transfer operation of the satellite to the Company following the successful completion of orbit raising, orbital placement and in-orbit testing. The Company currently has two third-generation ViaSat-3 class satellites under construction. The Company also 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 earth stations 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 condensed consolidated financial statements. The Company depreciates the satellites, earth stations 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 September 30, 2017 were $260.2 million and $162.4 million, respectively. The total cost and accumulated depreciation of CPE units included in property and equipment, net, as of March 31, 2017 were $271.9 million and $158.2 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.

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 September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017. The Company capitalized costs of $15.4 million related to acquiring and obtaining orbital slots and other licenses included in other assets as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017. Accumulated amortization related to these assets was $2.3 million and $2.1 million as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Amortization expense related to these assets was an insignificant amount for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. 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 six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not write off any significant costs due to abandonment or impairment.

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 the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, $9.8 million and an insignificant amount, respectively, of debt issuance costs were capitalized. During the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, $9.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively, of debt issuance costs were capitalized. 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 condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s revolving credit facility (the Revolving Credit Facility) are recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets and in other long-term assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets in accordance with the authoritative guidance for imputation of interest (ASC 835-30). Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s 5.625% Senior Notes due 2025 (the 2025 Notes) and the Company’s direct loan facility with the Export-Import Bank of the United States for ViaSat-2 (the Ex-Im Credit Facility) are recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt, consistent with debt discounts, in accordance with the authoritative guidance for imputation of interest (ASC 835-30).

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 $225.2 million and $203.7 million related to software developed for resale were included in other assets as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively. The Company capitalized $20.0 million and $37.8 million of costs related to software developed for resale for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company capitalized $19.7 million and $40.7 million of costs related to software developed for resale for the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Amortization expense for capitalized software development costs was $6.6 million and $16.3 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $8.7 million and $16.4 million for the three and six months ended September, 30, 2016, respectively.

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 $4.2 million in accrued liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, 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

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 September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, no such amounts were accrued related to the aforementioned provisions.

Noncontrolling interests

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.

Investments in unconsolidated affiliate — equity method

Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as investment in unconsolidated affiliate in other assets (long-term) on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its share of the results of such entities within equity in income (losses) of unconsolidated affiliate, net on the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company monitors such investments for other-than-temporary impairment by considering factors including the current economic and market conditions and the operating performance of the entities and records reductions in carrying values when necessary. The fair value of privately held investments is estimated using the best available information as of the valuation date, including current earnings trends, undiscounted cash flows, quoted stock prices of comparable public companies, and other company specific information, including recent financing rounds.

Common stock held in treasury

As of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017, the Company had no shares of common stock held in treasury.

During the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company issued 106,741 and 102,103 shares of common stock, respectively, based on the vesting terms of certain restricted stock unit agreements. In order for employees to satisfy minimum statutory employee tax withholding requirements related to the issuance of common stock underlying these restricted stock unit agreements, during the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company repurchased 36,666 and 34,204 shares of common stock, respectively, at cost and in each instance with a total value of $2.5 million. The shares of common stock repurchased during the six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 were immediately retired. These retired shares remain as authorized stock; however they are considered to be unissued. The retirement of treasury stock had no impact on the Company’s total consolidated stockholders’ equity. Although shares withheld for employee withholding taxes are technically not issued, they are treated as common stock repurchases for accounting purposes (with such shares deemed to be repurchased and then immediately retired), as they reduce the number of shares that otherwise would have been issued upon vesting of the restricted stock units.

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.

During the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Company settled certain foreign exchange contracts and in connection therewith for each period recognized an insignificant gain or loss recorded in cost of revenues based on the nature of the underlying transactions. The fair value of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts was an insignificant amount recorded as an other current asset as of September 30, 2017 and as an accrued liability as of March 31, 2017. The notional value of foreign currency forward contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and March 31, 2017 was $1.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

At September 30, 2017, the estimated net amount of unrealized gains or losses related to foreign currency forward contracts that was expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months was insignificant. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts outstanding as of September 30, 2017 will mature within approximately 30 to 36 months from their inception. There were no gains or losses from ineffectiveness of these derivative instruments recorded for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

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. Effective April 1, 2017, the Company adopted a change in accounting policy in accordance with ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718) to account for forfeitures as they occur. Prior to April 1, 2017, forfeitures were estimated at the date of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from those estimates. The Company recognized $16.0 million and $31.5 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The Company recognized $12.6 million and $25.4 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

Effective April 1, 2017, in accordance with ASU 2016-09, on a prospective basis, the Company recognizes excess tax benefits or deficiencies on vesting or settlement of awards as discrete items within income tax benefit or provision within net income (loss) and the related cash flows classified within operating activities. Prior to April 1, 2017 any unrealized excess tax benefits were tracked off the balance sheet and recognition of the benefits was deferred until realized through a reduction in taxes payable. When the excess tax benefits or deficiencies were realized, they were recognized in paid-in-capital and the related cash flows were classified as an outflow from operating activities and an inflow from financing activities. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recorded an insignificant amount of incremental tax deficiencies from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released as an income tax expense. For the six months ended September 30, 2017 the Company recorded an insignificant amount of incremental tax benefits from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released as an income tax benefit. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded no incremental tax benefits from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released as the excess tax benefit from stock options exercised and restricted stock unit awards released increased the Company’s net operating loss carryforward.

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 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.

The Company calculates its provision for income taxes at the end of each interim reporting period on the basis of an estimated annual effective tax rate adjusted for tax items that are discrete to each period. However, when a reliable estimate cannot be made, the Company computes its provision for income taxes using the actual effective tax rate for the year-to-date period. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2016, the Company used the actual effective tax rate method in calculating the income tax provision for the period as a reliable estimate of the annual effective tax rate could not be made.

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.

Recent authoritative guidance

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 2019, including interim periods within that reporting period, based on the FASB decision in July 2015 (ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers – Deferral of the Effective Date) to delay the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year, but providing entities a choice to adopt the standard as of the original effective date. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarifies the implementation guidance on identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, which provides practical expedient for contract modifications and clarification on assessing the collectability criterion, presentation of sales taxes, measurement date for non-cash consideration and completed contracts at transition. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provides for correction or improvement to the guidance previously issued in ASU 2014-09. These standards permit the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company currently plans to adopt the standard in fiscal year 2019 using the “modified retrospective method.” Under that method, the Company will apply the rules to all contracts existing as of April 1, 2018, recognizing in beginning retained earnings an adjustment for the cumulative effect of the change and providing additional disclosures comparing results to previous accounting standards.

Upon initial evaluation, the Company believes the key changes in the standard that impact its revenue recognition relate to the deferral of commissions in the Company’s satellite service segment, which are currently expensed as incurred under the current standard. The requirement to defer incremental contract acquisition costs and recognize them with the transfer of the related good or service will result in the recognition of a deferred charge on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and corresponding impact to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (ASC 825-10). ASU 2016-01 requires that most equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method for accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) be measured at fair value, with subsequent changes in fair value recognized in net income (loss). The new guidance also impacts financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The new guidance should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. ASU 2016-01 will become effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted with certain stipulations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets as lease liabilities with corresponding right-of-use assets and eliminates certain real estate-specific provisions. The new guidance will become effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-02 will be adopted on a modified retrospective transition basis for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). ASU 2016-05 clarifies that a change in the counterparty to a derivative instrument, in and of itself, does not require dedesignation of a hedging relationship. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a prospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815). ASU 2016-06 clarifies the requirements for assessing whether contingent put or call option in a debt instrument qualifies as a separate derivative. The new guidance is required to be applied on a modified retrospective basis to all existing and future debt instruments of the fiscal year for which the amendments are effective. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a modified retrospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, Investment — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (ASC 323). ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when a reporting entity obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. This guidance became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a prospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718). ASU 2016-09 simplifies various aspects related to how share-based payments are accounted for and presented in the financial statements. The new guidance became effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. On a prospective basis the Company recognizes excess tax benefits or deficiencies on vesting or settlement of awards as discrete items within income tax benefit or provision within net income (loss) and the related cash flows classified within operating activities. With respect to the forfeiture accounting policy election, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, adopted on a modified retrospective basis as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The election to account for forfeitures as they occur did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures. See Note 9 for additional information regarding the impact of the adoption of this guidance.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (ASC 326). ASU 2016-13 requires credit losses on most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments to be measured using an expected credit loss model (referred to as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model). It also modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities and provides for a simplified accounting model for purchased financial assets with credit deterioration since their origination. The new guidance will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance is required to be applied on a modified-retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (ASC 230). ASU 2016-15 makes eight targeted changes to how companies present and classify certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a retrospective basis unless it is impracticable to apply, in which case the Company would be required to apply the amendments prospectively as of the earliest date practicable. The Company early adopted the guidance on a retrospective basis in the second quarter of fiscal year 2018 and as a result cash payments for debt prepayment and extinguishment are classified as cash outflows for financing activities. Otherwise the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (ASC 740). ASU 2016-16 requires that an entity should recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs as opposed to when the asset has been sold to an outside party. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a modified retrospective basis through cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17, Consolidation: Interests Held through Related Parties That Are Under Common Control (ASC 810). The amendments change how a reporting entity that is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity should treat indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity when determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of that variable interest entity. The new standard became effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 on a retrospective basis and the guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business (ASC 805). ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The definition of a business affects many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill, and consolidation. The new standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted with limitations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASC 350). ASU 2017-04 removes Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Other Income — Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (ASC 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets. ASU 2017-05 clarifies the scope and accounting of a financial asset that meets the definition of an “in-substance nonfinancial asset” and defines the term “in-substance nonfinancial asset.” ASU 2017-05 also adds guidance for partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The standard will become effective for the Company in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-08, Receivables — Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (ASC 310-20): Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities. ASU 2017-08 amends the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium. The amendments require the premium to be amortized to the earliest call date. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718): Scope of Modification Accounting. ASU 2017-09 provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-10, Service Concession Arrangements (ASC 853): Determining the Customer of the Operation Services. ASU 2017-10 provides clarity on determining the customer in a service concession arrangement. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2019, with early adoption permitted. The new standard will require adoption on a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity, beginning with the earliest period presented, or a retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. ASU 2017-12 improves the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance in current GAAP. The amendments in this update better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and presentation of hedge results. The standard will become effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures.