Inmarsat headquarters. Photo: Matt Biddulph (Flickr)

[Via Satellite 11-20-2014] Alcatel-Lucent has become an Inmarsat technology partner to help develop an aviation broadband network across the European Union (EU). The company will provide its experience with 4G LTE Air-to-Ground (ATG) technology and collaborate with Inmarsat to adapt this technology to support S-band spectrum.

Inmarsat and Alcatel-Lucent will work jointly on the ground infrastructure component of the network. Earlier this year Inmarsat ordered a new satellite, Europasat, from Thales Alenia Space to support an ATG network across the EU. According to Inmarsat, the integrated network will offer In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) speeds as high as 75 Mbps.

Inmarsat has received authorization for the satellite component of the network in 23 EU member states and has applications with all 28. One of the big five EU member states has already approved the ground component. Inmarsat reports it is in discussions with several major airlines as well as other industry partners.