Eutelsat Communications introduced its Air Access aeronautical mobile service with speeds of up to 100 Mbps per airliner in the sky over Europe. This will support top-quality Internet access, videostreaming and GSM services via tablets, smartphones and laptops for airline passengers.
Eutelsat Air Access, which will be available from mid-2013, uses ViaSat SurfBeam 2 technology and Eutelsat’s KA-SAT high throughput satellite, which delivers a total capacity of 90 Gbps. The footprint covers Europe and the Mediterranean Basin.
Eutelsat Air Access is working with LiveTV, a leading provider of live in-flight entertainment and connectivity services for commercial airlines. LiveTV will provide, integrate and maintain on-board equipment and operate Wi-Fi internet access services and video streaming for passengers. As a pioneer in the expanding market for live in-flight entertainment and connectivity, LiveTV has already equipped more than 700 aircraft around the world.
“We believe that in-flight connectivity is a strong growth market and are ready with the latest technology and strong partnerships to address this business. Over the next 10 years the number of aircraft offering in-cabin entertainment and connectivity services via passenger devices should grow by more than 50% a year in Europe and the Middle East, and more than 80% in Asia and the Pacific,” commented Eutelsat’s CEO, Michel de Rosen.
