OnAir Cements Distribution Partnership with Inmarsat for Global Xpress

 17 September 2012

 

OnAir and Inmarsat have signed the official contract finalising the appointment of OnAir as the first Aviation Distribution Partner for Global Xpress (GX), the first global Ka-band network to provide inflight broadband connectivity for the aeronautical market. GX will provide passengers with ultrahigh-capacity Internet connectivity and will allow true live TV transmission.

OnAir currently uses Inmarsat SwiftBroadband (SBB) to provide the connectivity for Mobile OnAir and Internet OnAir, and has been jointly working with Inmarsat on a seamless deployment path from SBB to GX. In preparation for the introduction of Global Xpress, OnAir has already started to secure customers for the launch of the satellite service.

Scheduled for service introduction in late 2014, Global Xpress will offer unprecedented data rates and bandwidth, backed by Inmarsat’s quality standards, performance and global reach. It will provide up to 50mbps outbound and up to 4.4mbps inbound to and from the aircraft, providing the same experience as terrestrial broadband. It is the only Ka-band network designed to provide consistent global coverage. Combined with OnAir’s unique network of over 80 regulatory approvals and more than 350 roaming agreements with mobile network operators, OnAir is the only inflight connectivity provider to offer coverage across the world.

“We are delighted to be working with Inmarsat to bring passengers the next generation of inflight connectivity, with the introduction of live TV being one of the highlights,” 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.”

“We have a very strong history with OnAir,” said Leo Mondale, Managing Director of Inmarsat GX. “OnAir was appointed our first SBB Distribution Partner back in 2006, and in 2009 was given an award for being the greatest contributor to SBB growth. We have every confidence that OnAir will deliver value to airlines and passengers with Global Xpress in the same way.”

This new agreement enables OnAir, now a leading provider of global SBB and GX services for commercial aviation, to remain at the forefront of the sector, while ensuring that the business becomes the benchmark for industry solutions.