How do you deliver multiple, diverse command and control links to a small, uncrewed aircraft, fully integrated in controlled airspace? SkyFive and EchoStar have successfully concluded a series of flight tests, in partnership with Airbus, to combine S-band satellite and terrestrial links and deliver that functionality.
IFC
ESpace snags $10 million, two new directors to boost inflight Wi-Fi QoE
In-flight connectivity providers talk a lot about quality of service guarantees. For passengers, the quality of experience (QoE) is arguably more significant. And now an upstart in that segment, ESpace Networks, has $10 million more to expand its technology platform, as the company announced its Series A funding round, led by Columbia Capital.
Ethiopian plans Dreamliner upgrades
Ethiopian Group CEO Mesfin Tasew confirmed that the carrier’s oldest 787s are due for a cabin refresh; lie-flat beds and upgraded IFE are in the works.
Viasat cleared to close on Inmarsat purchase
The European Commission unconditionally approved Viasat’s planned purchase of Inmarsat on Thursday, removing the last regulatory hurdle the two companies faced in their planned consolidation. With that eliminated, they now expect to close the deal before the end of May.
Gogo picks Challenger 300 for Galileo certification pilot
Fully branded and now with multiple antenna options, Gogo is starting the certification process for its Galileo LEO inflight internet service, running on the OneWeb constellation. The company chose the Bombardier Challenger 300 series of aircraft as the first platform on which to develop the hardware and installation process. The Bombardier Challenger 300 is one […]
Honeywell secures Iridium certification for Aspire 350
Whether for smaller planes, a secondary network for redundancy and true global coverage, or just a solid, lightweight internet link in the sky, business jet owners can now choose Honeywell’s Aspire 350 system, operating on the Iridium NEXT satellite constellation.
Emirates talks take rates with free inflight messaging activation
Anyone with an Emirates Skywards frequent flyer number can now access at least messaging services in flight without additional charges. But are they??
Collins Aerospace launches BizAv cabin connectivity on Iridium Certus
Collins Aerospace formally launched its IRT NX inflight internet solution at EBACE 2023, bringing a lightweight option powered by the Iridium NEXT LEO constellation to the business aviation market.
Inmarsat boosts speeds with updated Jet ConneX plans
Inmarsat’s new data plans, part of the Jet ConneX Evolution program announced last year, are now live, promising up to 100 Mbps speeds to business jets.
Inmarsat picks microGEO for L-band future
The next generation of Inmarsat satellites will be significantly smaller than today’s GEO hardware. The company announced plans to launch a trio of microGEO satellites, developed by SWISSto12, by 2026 to bolster its L-band network.