Payment friction remains a significant barrier to getting passengers online with inflight connectivity solutions. One Indian mobile phone provider hopes to ease that burden with new roaming plans focused specifically on the market. Jio announced new plans this week where subscribers can roam on board 22 airlines using a data package tied to their phone bill.
in flight
Addressing two major challenges as Intelsat takes over the Gogo commercial aviation business
When it comes to delivering inflight wifi connectivity Intelsat sees significant upside from its ability to operate the network it is acquiring from Gogo mostly in-house. But that network and the install base also come with very real risks related to Delta Air Lines and the ATG fleet. Here’s how Intelsat plans to respond.
SmartSky triumphs over Gogo in patent challenge
SmartSky scored a legal victory this week with the US Patent Office declining to institute an inter partes review of U.S. Patent No. 9,312,947 (“the ‘947 patent”), a challenge lodged by Gogo in April. The ruling at this stage is based on the USPTO’s believe that Gogo “has not demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of prevailing in demonstrating that at least one challenged claim of the ’947 patent is unpatentable over the prior art of record.” As a result, the issue won’t even make it to a formal hearing for review.
Vistara launches inflight wifi service on Dreamliner fleet
After years of promises and product evolution Vistara’s service from Delhi to London on the 787-9 will deliver a major milestone for the inflight connectivity industry. Inflight wifi service will fly on an Indian airline tonight for the first time, powered by Nelco and Panasonic Avionics
Intelsat sees upside in commercial aviation vertical
As Intelsat moves towards closing on its recently announced deal to acquire Gogo’s Commercial Aviation business the company faces one question more significant than the rest: How will this deal work out better at Intelsat than it did for Gogo.
Gogo’s AVANCE L3 now available line-fit on Pilatus PC-24
New Pilatus PC-24 buyers can now choose to have the AVANCE L3 inflight wifi solution from Gogo installed at the factory. The type joins the PC-12 NGX in holding STCs for installation and Pilatus offering as a line-fit solution to customers.
Qatar Airways hits 100 aircraft milestone fitted with Inmarsat’s GX Aviation
Qatar Airways now operates 100 aircraft with “Super Wi-Fi,” its branding for the Inmarsat GX Aviation inflight connectivity solution. The most recent addition to the fleet is A7-ALC, an A350-900. Qatar Airways is the leading operator of the GX solution around the globe.v
OWG picks Bluebox for streaming IFE
Holiday makers on Canada’s newest airline will have movies and TV shows available on their flights to Cuba this winter. OWG, an offshoot of Nolinor, signed a deal to fly the Bluebox Wow streaming IFE kit on board.
Southwest going app-free for IFE
Watching movies and TV on Southwest Airlines is getting a little easier. The carrier’s inflight entertainment portal, powered by Global Eagle’s Airtime platform, no longer requires a dedicated mobile application for consumers to stream content on board. The DRM-protected content can instead be consumed in the web browser of the devices.
Digging in to the ATG deal between Gogo and Intelsat
With the infusion of new cash coming as part of the Intelsat deal Gogo is well-positioned to invest in its updated air-to-ground (ATG) network, branded “Gogo 5G.” And the company has high hopes for increased revenue that network will deliver, both from its Business Aviation customers and from Intelsat. The latter secured a 10-year exclusive contract to resell Gogo’s ATG connectivity to commercial airlines and the (mostly) regional jets flying with the system installed as part of the deal to acquire the Commercial Aviation business.