Honeywell Aerospace and Inmarsat are providing technology to allow Singapore Airlines to offer in-flight connectivity.
Honeywell Aerospace will provide its JetWave satellite communications hardware for connection to Inmarsat’s Global Xpress Aviation broadband solution for the project.
The solution will be provided through Zodiac Inflight Innovations and Sitaonair and provide a homelike and office like Wi-Fi experience aboard aircraft via Inmarsat GX Ka-band network.
The installation of the first Global Xpress (GX) Aviation system is scheduled for the second half of 2016 and will be equipped on Singapore Airlines’ B777-300ER aircraft, followed by its A380-800s.
GX is the only global Ka-band network designed around the requirements of mobile assets, including airplanes. GX Aviation is designed to provide aircraft with data rates of up to 50Mbps.
“As consumer electronic devices continue to consume frequency bandwidth, more demand will be placed on high-speed satellite connectivity and infrastructure,” said Brian Davis, VP for airlines in Asia Pacific at Honeywell Aerospace.
“Honeywell’s JetWave hardware and Inmarsat’s Global Xpress will support this growth trajectory, giving passengers greater flexibility and not have the frequent in-flight disruptions consumers currently experience on other available systems.”
Leo Mondale, president of Inmarsat Aviation, said in-flight connectivity is a major focus area for airlines across the world, and Global Xpress marks the first time that they can offer a reliable, consistent and high-speed solution to their passengers with global coverage.