Inflight connectivity users. Photo: ViaSat

[Via Satellite 04-07-2014] ViaSat’s Ka-band aeronautical terminal has passed 125 total units shipped. This low-profile terminal enables in-flight Internet access and is the first to sustain a continuous link to an aircraft during flight by achieving seamless switching across spot beams from multiple Ka-band satellites.

Both JetBlue and United Airlines have begun rolling out ViaSat Exede In the Air services, with both companies putting in new installations. ViaSat expects to have 400 aircraft outfitted before the end of next year. Exede in-flight Internet service allows airlines to specify a high-speed service level to each passenger (up to 12 Mbps for each seat), as opposed to an aggregate total of bandwidth to a plane where passengers compete for service. The system is certified by the United States Federal Aviation Association (FAA) on Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft and is licensed for mobile operation by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC).