‘Watershed moment’ for connectivity
Satellite operators OneWeb and Intelsat have signed a global distribution partnership agreement to offer airlines inflight broadband.
The partnership could potentially let Intelsat distribute OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services to every airline in the world, coupled with Intelsat’s inflight connectivity experience and existing geo-stationary (GEO) satellite service. In a release, the collaborators say they expect the multi-orbit solution to be in service by 2024.
Jeff Sare, president of Intelsat’s Commercial Aviation, said it will ‘maximize brand affiliation’ with passengers through ‘next-generation onboard services’ in a ‘connected airline digitalisation strategy.’
It could also mean that airline passengers can make phone calls.
“This is a watershed moment for the inflight connectivity market, and we’re excited to work together with Intelsat to bring our multi-orbit solution to commercial aviation. We’re committed to delivering the most differentiated and innovative solution for airlines,” said Ben Griffin, OneWeb’s vice president for Mobility Services. “We are proving that, through the power of partnership, a superior suite of multi-orbit capabilities can be offered to better serve the growing connectivity needs of the commercial aviation industry, delivering the highest value coupled with the lowest risk.”