Panasonic and China Telecom Satellite Complete Partnership to Connect the Skies over China

23 December 2013 

Panasonic Avionics has signed a definitive agreement with China Telecom Satellite Communications Limited to jointly develop, implement and support in-flight connectivity solutions for Chinese airlines.

The agreement will also make possible the provision of in-flight broadband connectivity to Panasonic’s 39 customer airlines when flying into and over China.  As part of the agreement China Telecom Satellite will operate a teleport in Beijing, China to service the aeronautical broadband service for Panasonic.

Now the new teleport is ready for service and will launch the service commercially following the final approval from the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Panasonic Avionics' eXConnect system uses its global Ku-band aeronautical satellite network to deliver inflight broadband connectivity, enabling passengers to access the internet, compose and send email or log onto their favorite social media sites.

Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, says: "Over the past six months since we announced the MOU with China Telecom Satellite, we have made great progress and now have completed the cooperation agreement.  Now we are collectively ready to begin this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers.  This is a very important accomplishment and we thank China Telecom Satellite for their excellent contribution.”

Lv Junli, President of China Telecom Satellite, says: “We are very pleased to announce this great milestone of progress with our partner Panasonic. We are very pleased to work with Panasonic to provide inflight communications to both international and Chinese airlines.”

The parties plan to begin offering inflight connectivity services as soon as all necessary approvals are in place.