Airbus Defense and Space launches AuroraGlobal, its new high throughput satcom services

10 March 2014

Following the recent creation of Airbus Defense and Space, the company launched the AuroraGlobal high throughput services for government, maritime and enterprise markets at Satellite 2014 in Washington DC as a response to increased bandwidth demand. This new portfolio of high throughput services – featuring Ku-, X-, and Ka-bands – provides increased throughput, without the need to change antenna systems.

Evert Dudok, Head of Communications, Intelligence & Security at Airbus Defense and Space, announced at Satellite 2014: “AuroraGlobal is now available and is setting new standards for high throughput services to provide the best value on the market. With this offer, Airbus Defense and Space is bringing its customers one step closer to next generation satcom whether it be military or commercial satellites such as Inmarsat’s Global Xpress and Intelsat’s Epic NG.”

It can provide enhanced X-band capabilities and performance for civil and military government purposes, dramatically increasing throughput up to four times more than current services using existing terminals, and enabling greater throughput via new smaller terminals, in line with growing operational needs. For instance, recent trials with hardened Skynet satellites at Airbus Defense and Space have proven that a 60-cm X-band terminal can support more than 70Mbps of throughput. Separate tests using the SCOT5 1.5-m naval terminals confirmed that levels of assured service throughput can be achieved at four times the current levels provided to Skynet customers.

In the maritime market, the customers will benefit from the next generation Ku-band VSAT service without the need to replace existing antenna. The new maritime VSAT offering is an all-in-one solution featuring twice the previous data volume allowances and twice the previous data speeds. It comes with unlimited L-band back-up service, as well as the new XChange platform, without having to invest in a new VSAT antenna.

Shipping companies can now select this offer and maintain the option to upgrade to future Ku- and Ka-band high throughput services.

In the Enterprise vertical markets, customers will further benefit from the latest technology fully compatible with high throughput satellites following the recent signature of a contract with Newtec. Customers will have access to new network hubs on Airbus Defense and Space’s teleports, optimizing frequency bands and providing throughput up to 150Mbps.

As part of the new offer, Airbus Defense and Space will also deliver Global Xpress high-speed broadband services through its worldwide distribution channels in the near future. The strategic agreement signed last December with Inmarsat covers key vertical markets – including the maritime, as well as the government and defense sectors – initially in Europe, and will allow us to provide highly competitive Ka-band services. In due course, Airbus Defense and Space’s Global Xpress offering will encompass all service types – packaged services, bandwidth capacity, as well as commercial and military Ka-band.

With the creation of Airbus Defense and Space, the combined satcom activities within the Communications, Intelligence & Security business line bring together the number one military satcom operator in the world and the leading commercial satcom provider for maritime and enterprise customers. AuroraGlobal complements other Airbus Defense and Space services provided at UHF-, L- and C-bands.