Rendition of the Eutelsat 172B satellite on-orbit. Photo: Eutelsat.

UnicomAirNet has signed a multi-year agreement with Eutelsat Communications to address the fast-growing In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) market in the Asia-Pacific region. As of 2019, UnicomAirNet will lease the remaining capacity on the High Throughput Satellite (HTS) Eutelsat 172B to enhance IFC services across an area stretching from the West coast of North America to Asia and Australia.

The agreement follows the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between China Unicom and Eutelsat, which took place during the French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to China in January. The MOU aims to address the satellite communications market in Asia-Pacific, within the framework of the “Belt and Road” initiative.

Arianespace launched the Eutelsat 172B satellite in June 2017 on an Ariane 5 rocket. Optimized for IFC, its high throughput payload of 11 spot beams enhances efficiency, enabling dynamic power allocation on high-traffic air routes in the Asia-Pacific region.