Inmarsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) appointing Satcom Direct (SD) as a global distribution partner for its next generation SwiftBroadband-Safety aviation service.
A pre-agreement between the two companies has outlined the intention for SD to supply aviation operators worldwide with SwiftBroadband-Safety, an advanced new aviation safety service from Inmarsat.
SwiftBroadband-Safety utilises secure IP-based broadband connectivity which enables a range of aviation applications, including flight data streaming (‘Black Box in the Cloud’) and real-time Electronic Flight Bag applications, such as networked graphical weather.
It also enables air traffic management modernisation programs throughout the world and fulfils the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Global Aeronautical Distress Safety System (GADSS), including global flight tracking, by offering reliable and secure satellite surveillance and communications (FANS/ACARS).
Frederik van Essen, Inmarsat Aviation’s senior vice president of Strategy and Business Development, said: “SwiftBroadband-Safety combines the advantages of broadband connectivity with the proven, extremely reliable L-band spectrum to set a new standard in aviation safety. It offers greater efficiency, reliability and capacity to the cockpit at a lower cost per bit than our trusted Classic Aero service.”
Chris Moore, chief commercial officer at Satcom Direct, said: “Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband-Safety delivers unparalleled safety communication services to commercial airlines and the business aviation community worldwide. The next generation platform’s flexibility opens up a vast amount of possibilities in terms of how customers can optimise their cockpit and aircraft operations.”