Inmarsat today announced that SwiftBroadband will be deployed as the satellite backbone for inflight internet services on two airlines in the Asia Pacific region.Japanese air carrier ANA will deploy SwiftBroadband on its international routes from mid-2013. ANA is one of Japan's leading airlines and a member of the Star Alliance. From next year, Inmarsat-enabled wi-fi services will be available on all the airline's international routes, which mainly serve American and European destinations.
The SwiftBroadband service is being provided by Inmarsat distribution partner OnAir, which will deploy its 'Internet OnAir' wi-fi capability in each aircraft. The agreement initially covers 28 aircraft, made up of a mix of Boeing 777-300ERs and Boeing 767-300ERs.
OnAir is also providing inflight connectivity for Cebu Pacific Air, the Philippines' largest flag carrier and the first low cost carrier (LCC) in Southeast Asia. Starting with deployment in its Airbus A330 fleet, it will roll out Internet OnAir to passengers during 2013. The airline also has the option to install wi-fi on its fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft, for short haul flights, in the next phase.
Once in service, Cebu Pacific passengers will be able to access the Internet while in-flight and make calls using Voice over IP (VoIP) applications via wi-fi enabled devices, including Android phones and tablets, iPhone®, iPad®, Blackberry®, and laptops. Manilla-based Cebu Pacific will be the first long-haul LCC in South East Asia to provide inflight internet access.
Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir, commented: “The decision by these airlines to select Internet OnAir is a strong indication of their shared vision and support for our global inflight connectivity solutions. It is clear that the SwiftBroadband-based service continues to deliver the best-in-class solution by providing what passengers want, at the right price, and with connectivity that is consistent across the globe.”
Ronald Spithout, President of Inmarsat's Enterprise business unit added: “Both ANA and Cebu Pacific Air are highly-respected airlines that have committed to SwiftBroadband, alongside Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. This is a significant endorsement of the ability of SwiftBroadband to deliver inflight data connectivity for passengers, with a service quality commensurate with a world-class operator.”
SwiftBroadband is the most successful broadband data solution in the airline industry, with over 2,500 aircraft systems operating on routes all over the world. It provides services to both cockpit and cabin, delivering multiple simultaneous channels of IP data to support internet browsing, Virtual Private Networks, email, telephony, VoIP, and text messaging.
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,500 staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. For the year ended 31st December 2011, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,409 million and an EBITDA of US$854 million. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com/about.
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John Warehand
Head of Media Relations
+44(0)20 7728 1579
Email: [email protected]
Neville Rawlings
+44 (0)20 7861 2502
Email: [email protected]
OnAir sets the benchmark for global inflight connectivity services, with 47 customers on five continents. We are the only provider to offer consistent global coverage for both inflight GSM and WiFi, thanks to around 80 regulatory approvals, 350 roaming agreements, and by using Inmarsat's satellite networks.
OnAir's products enable passengers to use their own mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and laptops in exactly the same way as they do on the ground, either through the onboard GSM network or the onboard Wi-Fi hotspot. The products are available as linefit or retrofit for all commercial aircraft, as well as government, VIP and business jets, and ships.
OnAir was incorporated in February 2005 and is owned by SITA, the leading IT solutions provider to the air transport world and Airbus, the leading aircraft manufacturer. OnAir is a member of the GSM Association and an Inmarsat Distribution Partner for both SwiftBroadband and Global Xpress services.
More information about OnAir is available at www.onair.aero
