Mobile Connectivity

[Satellite TODAY 10-26-09] Thomson signed a long-term contract with LiveTV to develop of a live TV broadcast system for aircraft based on Thomson’s IPTV-based satellite television distribution technology, the company announced Oct. 23.     Thomson will carry out engineering and product development services while LiveTV will license Thomson’s satellite multi-client gateway software technology and market...

[Satellite Today 05-04-09] Air Austral, a commercial airline based in France, has installed Panasonic’s satellite-provided eX2 in-flight entertainment system on two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, Panasonic announced May 1.    The eX2 system aims to provide Air Austral passengers with access to applications such as audio and video on demand, dynamic moving maps, games and a...

[Satellite Today 12-12-08] EMS Technologies has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Formation Inc., an airborne wireless network provider, for $40 million, EMS announced Dec. 12.     Under the terms of the deal, Formation has the ability to earn additional purchase price payments of up to $15 million based on its performance in near term...

[Satellite Today 11-07-08] Inmarsat has announced a trial for in-flight mobile services with a top Asian airline, the company said Nov. 6.     Malaysia Airlines will be offering in-flight mobile phone and data services for flights covering Europe, Australia and Asia on one Boeing 777-200 via Inmarsat’s satellite network. Passengers can safely use their mobile...

The airline industry is a major economic driver around the globe, but the system is reaching the limits of its capacity. How will the satellite industry play a key role in keeping airlines flying and the

A BAE Systems asset to shield aircraft from terrorist shoulder-mounted man-portable missiles (MANPADs) has been installed on an American Airlines plane, BAE announced. The BAE Jeteye infrared missile defense system completed its first flight on a scheduled American Airlines aircraft flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to Los Angeles International Airport....

[Satellite News – 07-09-08] Panasonic has licensed iDirect’s satellite IP router hardware and spread spectrum mobile waveform for a system that will provide broadband access to aircraft.     The iDirect technology will serve as core components of Panasonic’s in-flight satellite transmission platform, eXConnect. The new broadband IP pipe in the sky would allow ExConnect to...

[Satellite Today – 5-6-08] Panasonic Avionics Corp. plans to launch an Internet service for airline passengers using a system that will leverage Intelsat’s GlobalConnex Network Broadband service, Intelsat announced May 6.     The service, dubbed eXConnect, enables two-way broadband connectivity for providing services such as virtual private networks, television, streaming media and operational applications. Data...

[Satellite Today – 2-19-08] Aeronautical satellite services for commercial passenger aircraft and business jets will reach more than 27,000 in-service units and generate retail revenues of $1.7 billion by 2013, according to a report released Feb. 14 by NSR.     NSR predicts that the Middle East, Africa and Asia will show the strongest growth rates,...

[Satellite Today -2-5-08] Colombia’s Avianca Airlines will be installing Iridium value-added service provider Avionica’s Iridium-based satLink communications module on its fleet, Iridium announced Feb. 5.     Avionica’s satLink Iridium system offers additional voice and data capabilities to supplement radio cockpit communications. The installation will include antenna, wiring, structural elements and a control panel providing voice...