Eutelsat Moves into New-generation In-flight Connectivity Services via KA-SAT
Poster: SySAdmin
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 6:56:02 AM
Eutelsat Moves into New-generation In-flight Connectivity Services via KA-SAT
New Eutelsat Air Access service to be commercially available across Europe from mid-2013
PARIS, January 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announces the launch of a new
aeronautical mobile service called Eutelsat Air Access designed to accelerate the
deployment by commercial airlines operating in Europe of in-flight connectivity for
passengers. Delivering speeds of up to 100 Mbps per airliner, Eutelsat Air Access will be
available from mid-2013.
The new service uses ViaSat SurfBeam(R) 2 technology, the most advanced and
competitive system available for airborne connectivity using the Ka-band, and will be
deployed on Eutelsat's KA-SAT [http://www.eutelsat.com/satellites/EUTELSAT-KA-SAT-9A.html
] high throughput satellite which delivers a total capacity of 90 Gbps. Leveraging the
high transmission speeds and bandwidth of KA-SAT, Eutelsat Air Access will allow
aeronautical service providers to offer passengers top-quality Internet access,
videostreaming and GSM services via tablets, smartphones and laptops. Eutelsat also has
the option to add further unique ViaSat networking features for management of high-speed
service levels to passengers. The service will be launched across Europe and the
Mediterranean Basin, with the objective to expand the service area using other Ka-band
satellites.
Eutelsat is partnering on the deployment of Eutelsat Air Access 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. Aer Lingus is the first carrier to seize the
opportunity of new-generation in-flight services. The Irish airline last month signed a
letter of intent with LiveTV and plans to launch in-cabin Internet access for customers on
its European network. The new service will be available on Aer Lingus short-haul fleet,
including Airbus A319/A320 and A321. The first flights with the service are planned in the
second half of 2013.
Eutelsat's CEO, Michel de Rosen, commented on the launch of airborne services via
KA-SAT: "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. Eutelsat has already gained experience in
aeronautical mobile services using Ku band satellites. With Eutelsat Air Access we are
moving into a new era to enable airlines to cost-effectively bring in-cabin connectivity
to their customers."
About Eutelsat Communications (http://www.eutelsat.com
[http://www.eutelsat.com/home/index.html ])
Eutelsat Communications is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity
commercialised on 30 satellites delivering reach of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia,
significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext
Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As
of 30 September 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,400 television
channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution,
corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris,
Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 750 commercial, technical and operational
professionals from 30 countries.
Eutelsat Communications
CONTACT: For further information: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frédérique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Marie-Sophie Ecuer, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, mecuer@eutelsat.fr. Investors and analysts: Lisa Finas, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com; Leonard Wapler, Tel: +33-1-53-98-31-07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com.
New Eutelsat Air Access service to be commercially available across Europe from mid-2013
PARIS, January 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) announces the launch of a new
aeronautical mobile service called Eutelsat Air Access designed to accelerate the
deployment by commercial airlines operating in Europe of in-flight connectivity for
passengers. Delivering speeds of up to 100 Mbps per airliner, Eutelsat Air Access will be
available from mid-2013.
The new service uses ViaSat SurfBeam(R) 2 technology, the most advanced and
competitive system available for airborne connectivity using the Ka-band, and will be
deployed on Eutelsat's KA-SAT [http://www.eutelsat.com/satellites/EUTELSAT-KA-SAT-9A.html
] high throughput satellite which delivers a total capacity of 90 Gbps. Leveraging the
high transmission speeds and bandwidth of KA-SAT, Eutelsat Air Access will allow
aeronautical service providers to offer passengers top-quality Internet access,
videostreaming and GSM services via tablets, smartphones and laptops. Eutelsat also has
the option to add further unique ViaSat networking features for management of high-speed
service levels to passengers. The service will be launched across Europe and the
Mediterranean Basin, with the objective to expand the service area using other Ka-band
satellites.
Eutelsat is partnering on the deployment of Eutelsat Air Access 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. Aer Lingus is the first carrier to seize the
opportunity of new-generation in-flight services. The Irish airline last month signed a
letter of intent with LiveTV and plans to launch in-cabin Internet access for customers on
its European network. The new service will be available on Aer Lingus short-haul fleet,
including Airbus A319/A320 and A321. The first flights with the service are planned in the
second half of 2013.
Eutelsat's CEO, Michel de Rosen, commented on the launch of airborne services via
KA-SAT: "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. Eutelsat has already gained experience in
aeronautical mobile services using Ku band satellites. With Eutelsat Air Access we are
moving into a new era to enable airlines to cost-effectively bring in-cabin connectivity
to their customers."
About Eutelsat Communications (http://www.eutelsat.com
[http://www.eutelsat.com/home/index.html ])
Eutelsat Communications is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity
commercialised on 30 satellites delivering reach of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia,
significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext
Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As
of 30 September 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,400 television
channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution,
corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris,
Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 750 commercial, technical and operational
professionals from 30 countries.
Eutelsat Communications
CONTACT: For further information: Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frédérique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Marie-Sophie Ecuer, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, mecuer@eutelsat.fr. Investors and analysts: Lisa Finas, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com; Leonard Wapler, Tel: +33-1-53-98-31-07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com.