Two current IFC providers are taking very different paths in the face of LEO connectivity evolving “faster and differently” than expected. Whether they arrive at the same outcome will be very interesting to see.
multi-orbit
ViaSat-3 APAC Launches Successfully
On Thursday morning the third ViaSat-3 satellite successfully lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon Heavy rocket, marking a major milestone in the very important (and rather delayed) program to massively boost capacity in GEO orbit.
Viasat Pursues Boeing Line-fit for AERA Terminal
Viasat aims to make AERA, its next-generation electronically steered antenna (ESA) inflight internet terminal, line-fit offerable across the full range of Boeing aircraft from 2028ish.
A Curious IFC Shift
Operating a multi-supplier IFC portfolio is not unique. Still, sometimes those shifts come as a surprise. A report this week very much fits in that latter category to me.
Southwest Swaps to Starlink
Southwest Airlines will swap a sizable portion of its fleet to the Starlink inflight internet solution, and quickly. More than 300 planes are expected to fly the new system by the end of 2026.
Avianca Picks Multi-orbit Inflight Internet from SES
Avianca’s new inflight internet service, formally announced last week, will be powered by the SES multi-orbit offering.
Etihad Expands Viasat Inflight Internet Commitment
For the past few years Etihad has been rolling out Viasat’s inflight internet service on its new aircraft. This week the carrier confirmed it will shift its connectivity portfolio fully to Viasat’s Amara multi-orbit offering.
ViaSat-3 Americas (Take 2) launches successfully
ViaSat-3 F2 is safely on its way to geosynchronous orbit, and CEO Mark Dankberg has some thoughts about what the future of satellite communications, with his company’s constellations playing a large role.
All in the Family: Anuvu Talks Future of Inflight Connectivity
What will the future of inflight connectivity look like at Anuvu? The company has long shared its expectations of a shift towards LEO constellations and the primary network, but how it gets there will be interesting.
Gossiping Around the APEX Water Cooler
Kuiper made a splash at APEX Global Expo this year, showing up with its first customer in hand. Starlink also always grabs a lot of attention. But it was the quieter conversations away from the main floor that were, as always, most interesting.