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.
OneWeb
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.
Gogo reports record service revenue, reduces forecast
Chalk up another record revenue quarter for Gogo. But the company expects the next couple years to be rough, with downward revisions on revenue, free cash flow, and other metrics.
Gilat, Satcom Direct team for OneWeb BizAv ESA
Gilat and Satcom Direct have teamed to develop an electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal for OneWeb connectivity as part of SD’s Plane Simple antenna line, with availability expected in 2025.
Eutelsat 10B enters service
Inflight and maritime connectivity secured a boost in capacity from the North Atlantic to the Indian Ocean this week as Eutelsat 10B entered service.
Testing the next step for LEO-based IFC
On Monday afternoon a CRJ700 landed at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport near Broomfield, Colorado after more than four hours en route from Portland, Maine. Fortunately, no passengers found themselves enduring the “comfort” of that long ride in a little jet. But, thanks to the work happening on board, millions of travelers annually will soon have access to a better inflight Wi-Fi experience.
Hughes signs on as OneWeb partner, launches new IFC options for airlines
Hughes Network Systems is not new to the inflight internet world. But the company is getting more aggressive in its pitch to airlines. Hughes is now a global distribution partner of OneWeb’s LEO constellation services. The deal was announced this week at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023.