Live television in flight is coming to China. Panasonic Avionics will deliver multiple channels of live TV service to China Eastern as the launch customer of its expanded channel selection, adding multiple Chinese broadcasters to its portfolio.
Satellite
Inmarsat to grow connectivity with multi-channel Orchestra platform
What if satellites alone are not the best solution to mobile connectivity demand? Under its newly announced Orchestra initiative, Inmarsat wants to take a different tack. The company plans to layer multiple communications technologies, adding terrestrial services and LEO satellites to the existing GEO satellite footprint. Traffic will route via the best available network at any given time.
PaxEx Premium: Peeling back the layers
How does a major satellite connectivity company solve the problem of congestion at crowded (air)ports without disrupting billions of dollars in existing infrastructure? It is an answer that, much like the network (and ogres), comes with lots of layers.
Anuvu bets big on little satellites for in-flight connectivity
Another small satellite constellation is coming, this time from a rather unlikely source. Inflight entertainment and connectivity middle-man Anuvu (formerly Global Eagle) will bring MicroGEO satellites into service, launching its first constellation in partnership with next-generation satellite manufacturer Astranis.
Gulfstream, Inmarsat hit 500 Jet ConneX install milestone
Gulfstream owners seem to love the Inmarsat Jet ConneX (JX) in-flight connectivity system. The companies announced this week more than 500 of the large cabin business jets now carry the JX kit on board.
NetForecast launches airline WiFi service monitoring tool
Can airlines deliver a better in-flight connectivity experience if they better understand how the passenger networks are performing? That’s a major goal for NetForecast and its QMap® Inflight Internet Experience Monitoring service.
Intelsat Commercial Aviation launches, retires Gogo name
The product will still be known at 2Ku, at least for now. But the in-flight connectivity company previously known as Gogo Commercial Aviation officially changed its name to Intelsat Commercial Aviation, less than a year after closing on the transaction.
United’s major IFE move
“We here at United do not think streaming to your own device is good enough.” With that statement United Airlines’ Chief Customer Officer Toby Enqvist upended the company’s take on in-flight entertainment for its single-aisle fleet, mapping a new path for the company’s future.
OneWeb now fully funded with additional $500 million from Bharti
Bharti Global will up its stake in OneWeb, adding another $500 million to bring the satellite company to a fully funded state with $2.4 billion infused since the emergence from bankruptcy.
Azul goes live with free WiFi on board, powered by Viasat
More than a dozen Azul aircraft now offer free in-flight wifi service on board, with plans to surpass 100 fitted planes in the months ahead.