Alcatel-Lucent joins Inmarsat
as technology partner for the
development of the first EU aviation
network
20 November 2014
Inmarsat announced that Alcatel-Lucent
has become a
technology partner for the development
of a new, fully integrated
telecommunications network to deliver
high-speed broadband services to
commercial and business aviation
passengers across the European Union.
The unique network, which places Europe
at the forefront of passenger aviation
connectivity, is scheduled to enter
commercial service by the end of 2016.
The
new network represents two world-beating
achievements for Inmarsat and its
partners. It will be the world’s
first truly hybrid aviation network,
consisting of an S-band satellite (Europasat),
constructed by Thales Alenia Space, and
a Europe-wide S-band ground network.
Over the integrated network, based on
state-of-the-art LTE technology and
access to sufficient spectrum resources,
Inmarsat will be offering airlines the
world’s fastest in-flight broadband
connectivity service with speeds up to
75Mbps, far in excess of the limited
capabilities of North American ATG
systems.
Alcatel-Lucent and Inmarsat will work
together to develop the ground
infrastructure component of the new
Europe-wide network.
Alcatel-Lucent has proven expertise in
the development of 4G LTE-based
air-to-ground technology and was the
world’s first company to field trial
this technology in 2011. The
initial contract awarded to
Alcatel-Lucent will see the global
telecommunications equipment company
adapting their existing 4G LTE
technology to support the S-band
spectrum.
Leo
Mondale, President of Inmarsat Aviation,
said: “Together with world leading
partners, such as Alcatel-Lucent,
Inmarsat is setting a new standard for
aviation connectivity, enabling airlines
to offer their passengers access to
online services for work or leisure
using their own devices and with
reliability and speeds previously only
available on the ground. These
enhanced capabilities across Europe will
be offered alongside Inmarsat’s GX
aviation services, extending Inmarsat’s
broadband service coverage for aviation
passengers seamlessly, wherever airlines
fly; positioning us as the leader in
passenger connectivity.
“We
selected Alcatel-Lucent as a partner in
the development of the ground network
component due to their cutting-edge work
in 4G LTE-based air-to-ground
technology, and we are looking forward
to partnering with them throughout the
roll-out of this unique aviation service
for Europe.”
Michel Combes, CEO Alcatel-Lucent,
comments: “Innovation is a core element
of our strategy, along with growth
enabled by diversification into new,
vertical areas where we can apply our
technology leadership. The Air-to-Ground
technology partnership with Inmarsat
brings Alcatel-Lucent’s proven
leadership and commitment to innovation
to providing ultra-broadband
communications services to the aviation
market.”
Licenses for the satellite component of
the network have been applied for in all
EU Member States, and authorisation has
already been received in 23 of these.
The first ground component licenses have
now been received, including from one of
the big five EU Member States, and good
progress has been made in a number of
other Member States. The
company is also in on-going discussions
with a number of major airlines and
other industry partners.
