Eutelsat Readies Ka-Band Airliner Satellite Service

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.

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