Say hello to the next generation of L-band satellite connectivity. Inmarsat ELERA, unveiled this week, promises a dramatic increase in bandwidth, smaller terminals, and lower costs for the narrow-band market. This should drive a significant boost in aircraft safety, among other facets.
IFEC
Viasat boosts aviation backlog, lingers over LEO likelihood
Viasat is making a lot of money, even though it cannot add new users to its core satellite offering today. But the company is not shying away from aircraft additions, with hundreds more anticipated over the next couple years.
PaxEx Premium: A missing asterisk
Celebrating a new product deployment is always a laudable goal. But sometimes it is important to acknowledge that new doesn’t always mean completely new.
Gogo sees strong growth, 5G network remains on track
As with most earnings calls Gogo’s latest ran through myriad statistics and reporting metrics. But, unlike most service providers, CEO Oakleigh Thorne chose to celebrate a massive drop in network consumption over the past 4 years. And for good reason.
China Eastern launches local live TV on board with Panasonic Avionics
Live television in flight is coming to China. Panasonic Avionics will deliver multiple channels of live TV service to China Eastern as the launch customer of its expanded channel selection, adding multiple Chinese broadcasters to its portfolio.
Royal Jordanian updates, expands BlueBox IFE offering
The in-flight entertainment on Royal Jordanian just got a bit better. The Jordanian national carrier expanded its “SkyConnect” wireless IFE service to the Embraer E175 and E195 family aircraft. The solution is powered by the Bluebox Wow portable IFE platform.
TikTok flies free on some American Airlines planes
A few months ago it was on the way to being banned in the United States. Now some airline passengers can access it in the sky without paying extra. TikTok will fly free on most of American Airline’s single-aisle fleet, beginning today.
Inmarsat to grow connectivity with multi-channel Orchestra platform
What if satellites alone are not the best solution to mobile connectivity demand? Under its newly announced Orchestra initiative, Inmarsat wants to take a different tack. The company plans to layer multiple communications technologies, adding terrestrial services and LEO satellites to the existing GEO satellite footprint. Traffic will route via the best available network at any given time.
AirFi adds Vietnam distribution partner
When it comes to delivering an in-flight entertainment and retail solutions, local knowledge and support can go a long way. For segment leader AirFi this takes the form of strategic partnerships with established businesses, improving access to airlines around the globe. Next up on the company’s plans: Vietnam.v
PaxEx Premium: Peeling back the layers
How does a major satellite connectivity company solve the problem of congestion at crowded (air)ports without disrupting billions of dollars in existing infrastructure? It is an answer that, much like the network (and ogres), comes with lots of layers.