Global Xpress graphic. Photo: Inmarsat

Inmarsat is getting ready to bring its Global Xpress (GX) broadband services to the lucrative Indian mobility market. Inmarsat announced Oct. 20 that its strategic partner BSNL has received the necessary licenses to now deliver these services in India. The announcement means that India’s airlines will be able to deploy GX for in-flight connectivity within India and throughout the world, while India’s commercial maritime companies will be able to enhance significantly the digitalisation of their vessels for more effective ship operations and crew welfare services. It is a major win for Inmarsat.

Inmarsat is launching a further seven GX satellites, including its next generation GX satellites, over the coming three years, each of which will add more capacity into a single region than the first four satellites combined. The GX gateway for India is located in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.

“We are delighted that Global Xpress, the world-leading passenger inflight connectivity service, is now coming to India. We are looking forward to offering this ground-breaking connectivity service to our passengers later this year, when we introduce our new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It will enable our customers to remain connected in the air as they do on the ground,” Ajay Singh, chairman and managing director of SpiceJet, said in a statement.