21st Sep 2015 06:13
LONDON (Alliance News) - Inmarsat PLC said Monday it has agreed a strategic partnership with German telecommunications provider Deutsche Telekom AG to develop a new combined satellite and a high-speed ground network, to be dubbed the 'European Aviation Network.'
The network is designed to provider in-flight high-speed internet access in Europe. The network will combine coverage from Inmarsat's new S-band satellite with a ground network operating in the same frequency band developed and run by Deutsche Telekom.
"With this integrated network we can meet the need for capacity, flexibility and quality of service, including the ability to expand quickly to anticipate growth in demand," said Inmarsat Chief Executive Officer Rupert Pearce in a statement.
Inmarsat said that, ahead of the roll-out of the new network, Deutsche Lufthansa AG will be the first European hub airline to launch in-flight broadband services using Inmarsat's Global Xpress satellite in early summer 2016. Lufthansa has also agreed to conduct a flight trial programme of the European Aviation Network in 2017.
By Hana Stewart-Smith; [email protected]; @HanaSSAllNews
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