Panasonic Avionics Adds Spacesail Option for Inflight Internet

Airlines will soon have another option for internet service in China. Panasonic Avionics announced a memorandum of understanding with Shanghai Spacesail Technologies (Spacesail) to “explore opportunities to add Spacesail’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation to Panasonic Avionics’ in-flight connectivity global network.”

Spacesail’s LEO constellation to Panasonic Avionics’ portfolio will enable us to provide passengers with connectivity over every country, strengthening our network and reinforcing our strategy of providing airlines with the performance, flexibility and future-proofed capability they require. – John Wade, VP Connectivity, Panasonic Avionics

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With the Spacesail (a/k/a Qianfan) satellites PAC can offer multi-orbit, multi-constellation services through a single terminal, using a multi-modem MODMAN implementation. The company currently works with Gilat to deploy the Sidewinder electronically steered antenna for such solutions.

Read more: Considering Connectivity In, Over, Around, and Beyond China

PAC also announced plans for a LEO-only terminal to be developed in partnership with Intellian. That was originally pitched as connecting to the Oneweb LEO constellation, but presumably could service Spacesail, given the appropriate modem updates.

PAC’s Strong IFC History in China

PAC historically has been a leader in the Chinese inflight connectivity market, implementing the complex network infrastructure to deliver network backhaul via China, even when an aircraft is on the other side of the globe. It also has significant experience negotiating the regulatory challenges that come with bringing such services online, both for Chinese and foreign airlines.

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Just how important those skills are remains unclear, however, as the industry moves towards LEO. While every service providers work to convince airlines that Starlink’s offerings cannot legally be used over China multiple airlines are signing to install Starlink, and operating the system while overflying China.

Panasonic Avionics also reiterates its intent to integrate multiple satellite networks via channel bonding and a smart on-board routing platform to deliver optimal service levels to airlines and passengers. This will be boosted by access to the Spacesail network, both via direct relationships with airlines and via the constellation’s inclusion in the Airbus HBCplus program.

Note: This partnership was tipped to PaxEx Premium subscribers in a prior post.