Airbus Corporate Jets plans to offer a new inflight internet option, delivered over OneWeb’s LEO constellation, for its line of business jet installations. Eventually. With as yet undisclosed hardware.
Satcom Direct
Viasat updates pricing plans in BizAv push
Viasat expects to deliver improved inflight connectivity to its business aviation customers from early 2024. This “expanded range of service options,” announced at NBAA 2023 in Las Vegas, will be available across a range of antenna terminal hardware
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.
Viasat, Inmarsat receive provisional merger approval from UK
Should the Viasat/Inmarsat merger eventually close, the company may need to send a thank you present to the Starlink team at SpaceX. After four months of additional review, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) issued a provisional approval to the combination, and the upstart LEO operator is cited as a major factor in the determination.
Stellar Blu, Satcom Direct partner for BizAv LEO services
Business aviation solutions provider Satcom Direct will serve as the preferred provider for Stellar Blu’s Sidewinder antenna systems as the companies roll out the next generation of inflight connectivity for business jets. The Stellar Blu Sidewinder electronically steered array (ESA) terminal will offer a link to OneWeb’s LEO constellation.
OneWeb successfully orbits 36 more satellites
OneWeb added 36 more satellites to its constellation over the weekend, bringing the total to 462 Gen 1 satellites in orbit.
Intelsat goes multi-orbit with OneWeb LEO option for airlines
Commercial airlines will soon have another option for in-flight connectivity (IFC) delivered via low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Intelsat secured a global distribution partnership with OneWeb, allowing for the development of a multi-orbit offering. The partnership builds on Intelsat’s extensive IFC experience and existing geo-stationary (GEO) satellite service, augmented with the OneWeb LEO constellation.
In-flight connectivity’s next major hurdle: Smaller planes
More than a thousand larger regional jets fly across North America. All of them deliver a sub-par inflight WiFi experience. But that could soon change, as multiple airlines move to upgrade the systems on board over the next few years.
OneWeb confirms launch schedule into 2023
With SpaceX and ISRO contracts signed, OneWeb will soon be ready to resume launches of its low earth orbit satellites. Under the revised plan the launches will extend into 2023, as the company works to complete its satellite constellation and establish its global footprint.
OneWeb, Satcom Direct, QEST team for BizAv internet offering
Satcom Direct will soon offer broadband connectivity for its business aviation customers on the OneWeb low earth orbit (LEO) network. The companies announced a partnership, including QEST for antenna hardware, at EBACE 2022 in Geneva.