When it comes to tracking connectivity installations, sometimes regulators share the most useful insights. Taking a look at which STCs have (and have not) been issued lately offers up some details on a few key programs across the industry.
Satellite
Iridium de-risks LEO-based direct-to-device with Project Stardust
Iridium plans to deliver direct-to-handset communications from its global LEO constellation to cell phones around the world by 2026, choosing open standards rather than its prior proprietary approach.
SD’s Plane Simple Ka-band terminal passes DO-160 milestone
After more than 400 hours of flight testing the Plane Simple Ka-band terminal from Satcom Direct secured DO-160 approval, moving it closer to commercial availability of the in-flight connectivity hardware early in 2024.
American taps Intelsat for high speed Wi-Fi on regional fleet
American Airlines will upgrade the inflight internet on its regional jet fleet over the next two years. The carrier selected Intelsat to provide high-speed satellite-based service to just under 500 of the smaller jets.
Egyptair taps Panasonic Avionics for IFE/C on new A350 fleet
Egyptair’s new long-haul fleet will fly with updated entertainment and connectivity services from Panasonic Avionics on its new A350 fleet. The carrier ordered 10 of the A350-900s at the 2023 Dubai Air Show, with deliveries expected from 2025.
Big revenue, big write-offs for Viasat
Viasat took in $1.2 billion last quarter, but also recognized $1.6 billion in write-offs related to satellite failures and program cancellations. More interesting, however, is growing clarity of what the future constellation will look like – and who the future customer base will be – for the combined companies.
Slower upgrade pacing hits Gogo’s hardware deliveries
Gogo has, once again, revised its revenue guidance lower for 2023. The company now expects 2023 full year revenue between $390-400 million, down from a forecast $440-455 million forecast at the beginning of the year.
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.
Delta selects Hughes to complete Wi-Fi upgrades
Delta Air Lines will add diversity to its inflight internet supply and Hughes has a launch customer for its new Jupiter in-flight service offering. The two will pair up to bring Wi-Fi to more than 400 aircraft across Delta’s fleet.
SES plans mPOWER constellation expansion to counter performance problems
The SES mPOWER constellation will grow by two satellites to offset shortcomings on the initial six.