As the next generation of in-flight connectivity technology starts to show signs of actually flying, where will the impact be felt the most?
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Two more ESAs prepare for flight
More electronically steered antenna (ESAs) solutions will be flying later this year. At least two more companies are looking to launch test flights of the new technology with a focus on eventually serving commercial aircraft.
Hughes shows off flat panel antenna for OneWeb service
It is not a product, at least not quite yet. But Hughes is showing off a cool new flat-panel antenna* that will soon be used for enterprise connections to the OneWeb low earth orbit satellite constellation.
Is Starlink finally ready for commercial flight?
“We are already on airplanes. We are testing the antenna and working towards certification.”
With that statement at the Satellite 2022 conference in Washington, DC this week, Jonathan Hofeller, VP of Starlink Commercial Sales kicked off another round of speculation about what the future of in-flight connectivity will be.
Another Spirit Airlines WiFi turning point
Spirit Airlines hit another milestone in its in-flight WiFi service rollout earlier this month. And, while it may be a tad premature, it gives the carrier an opportunity to focus more on marketing the on-board internet offering to passengers.
A line-fit shift
The in-flight connectivity industry has something of a history around getting hardware installed at the factory, but not really as a line-fit option. Later this year another aircraft manufacturer will finally transition to a more traditional installation approach, with the blessings of regulators.
Bridging the transition: Anuvu details connectivity roadmap
What does a satellite connectivity company do with 10 gigabits/second of new capacity? “Deliver it to customers” was an easy answer for Anuvu’s EVP Connectivity Mike Pigott. But how that capacity gets allocated, and what it means for the company’s evolution of mobile connectivity is rather more complex.
FlexExec rebounds with new terminal from Satcom Direct
Don’t call it a comeback; FlexExec’s been here for years. Still, after laying low for a while, Intelsat and Satcom Direct are launching a new push into the business jet connectivity market, with high hopes for improved WiFi service on board.
Anuvu, Telesat link for massive Ka-band capacity
Anuvu’s appetite for bandwidth continues to grow. The company secured a deal with Telesat for 10 gigabits/second of Ka-band capacity to boost mobility connection options.
SmartSky announces ATG availability for regional airlines
Building on its announcement last month at NBAA, SmartSky took advantage of the APEX EXPO event in Long Beach, CA this week to formally launch business operations for commercial regional airlines across the Continental United States (CONUS). The company’s high speed air-to-ground network provides a new alternative for airline looking to bring high performing in-flight connectivity to the smaller aircraft in their fleet.