Jay Monroe, chairman and CEO, Globalstar (left) and Avidyne’s President and CEO, Dan Schwinn, sign new partnership agreement. Photo: Globalstar

[Via Satellite 02-23-2016] Globalstar has entered a strategic partnership with integrated avionics and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) systems producer Avidyne Corporation to develop and certify satellite-based Internet and voice communications products for the aviation market. These new solutions, for which Avidyne is the exclusive seller, will leverage Globalstar’s second-generation satellite network.

Globalstar and Avidyne will create products for light to medium business and general aviation aircraft to have low cost Internet access. Backup communication systems for larger business aircraft that are also equipped with a high bandwidth satcom or Air-to-Ground (ATG) communications system will also be available.

The companies’ new products will also enable streaming of aviation weather services in North America, Europe and other parts of the world. Aviation application developers will have access to new capabilities including real-time weather information, flight tracking and integration into flight department operations centers. Globalstar and Avidyne plan to announce specific new certified Wi-Fi-enabled products and services in the future.