Inmarsat, Panasonic Partner On In-Flight Connectivity

Inmarsat and Panasonic have announced an agreement to collaborate on offering in-flight broadband connectivity to commercial airlines.

Under the ten year deal, Inmarsat will become Panasonic’s exclusive provider of Ka-band in-flight connectivity (IFC) for commercial aviation. The UK-based satellite operator will also offer Panasonic’s portfolio of services to its own aviation customers.

Panasonic will now offer Inmarsat’s high-speed, broadband connectivity service, GX Aviation, although it said it will continue to invest in its own network.

Inmarsat chief executive Rupert Pearce said reliable in-flight connectivity “is no longer a luxury for passengers, but an expectation, and will play a vital role in securing an airline’s competitive position in a market.”

Panasonic Avionics CEO Hideo Nakano said that by adding Inmarsat’s GX Aviation “we’re recognising the need for IFC consistency across multiple fleets, and enabling digital solutions and services with unified customer support. It’s really a win-win for customers.”

The agreement also includes the development of a next generation GX Aviation terminal and new connectivity-enabled services, data analytics and technology to improve overall performance, the companies said.