Anuvu’s dedicated microGEO satellite constellation, developed by Astranis has a timeline to get the payloads into space. In an update earlier this month the company disclosed a launch timeline of “mid-2024,” as well as names of the new satellites.
Ku-band
Gogo, Satcom Direct push forward with LEO ESAs
Electronically steered antennas will be a major part of the next generation of connectivity for the business aviation world. Both Satcom Direct and Gogo made progress on that front this week, offering updates to their terminal development and testing.
Intelsat celebrates arctic LEO/GEO testing with Utqiagvik visit
A visit to Alaska’s North Slope in mid-December gave Intelsat the opportunity to demonstrate the multi-orbit functionality of its new electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal and multi-orbit connectivity strategy.
Panasonic Avionics picks Superbird-9 to further extend GEO capacity
Panasonic Avionics continues to boost its satellite capacity, securing access to the SKY Perfect JSAT Superbird-9 satellite for high throughput services focused on traffic over and around Japan.
SkyFive sees “wildly inconsistent” performance across inflight connectivity services
Which is the best inflight internet service flying today? SkyFive recently performed a series of measurements across Europe, benchmarking various systems. The results are, as expected, less than compelling.
Airbus taps Intelsat, Panasonic Avionics for HBCplus Ku-band services
The Airbus HBCplus program now has Ku-band service providers confirmed. Intelsat and Panasonic Avionics will participate in the program, offering connectivity services for aircraft fitted with the Airbus’ Ku-band ESA terminal from GetSat/Safran Passenger Innovations.
Hanwha Phasor, OneWeb formalize ESA terminal development efforts
Another antenna option will soon join the fold for OneWeb’s aero customers. Hanwha Phasor announced it has signed a User Terminal Development Agreement, enabling the two companies to collaborate on an in-flight connectivity solution. A certified solution is anticipated in 2025.
Beyond the bytes: Partnerships pushing product progress
Air Canada’s newly expanded relationship with Intelsat shows off the power of jointly developing not just a bandwidth map, but partnering on how that service is delivered, to the airline and to passengers on board.
Air Canada expands Intelsat partnership for in-flight Wi-Fi on 737 MAX, regional jets
Updated inflight internet systems are coming to Air Canada’s 737 MAX and regional jets. In total, approximately 100 planes will see Intelsat’s systems installed in the years ahead.
GEO keeps growing for Panasonic Avionics
Panasonic Avionics plans a 50% growth in its GEO satellite network capacity. Alas, the company won’t really share any details beyond that, which raises additional questions.