OnAir will be an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for Global Xpress, the first global Ka-band network to provide inflight broadband connectivity for the aeronautical market.
OnAir currently uses Inmarsat SwiftBroadband (SBB) to provide the connectivity for Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir, and has been working with Inmarsat over a period of time on a seamless upgrade path from SBB to GX. “That passengers want inflight connectivity is beyond doubt,” said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “The provision of a consistent global service is particularly important for our customers, so that they know exactly what to expect, wherever and whenever they fly.”
Global Xpress will operate in the Ka-band, and thus will provide users with significantly higher throughput than other satellite solutions, including the current generation technology based on Ku-band. OnAir says this improved performance, combined with better economics for both services and equipment and complete coverage of air routes, positions Global Xpress to support broad introduction of connectivity services to passengers and airlines on a sustainable basis across their entire fleets.