[SatNews] Exede(sm) Internet, the fast-growing high-speed consumer broadband service, is expanding to serve…
…commercial airlines. Exede in-flight Internet service from ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) is designed to eclipse the service quality and speeds of other in-cabin airline broadband services. The more favorable economics of the ViaSat system enable airlines to specify a high-speed service level to each passenger, rather than simply an aggregate amount of bandwidth to the plane that leaves passengers competing for service. The system is capable of delivering 12Mbps or more to each connected passenger. The major differentiator for Exede Internet is an innovative Ka-band satellite system, featuring ViaSat-1, the world’s highest capacity communications satellite. The high-capacity ViaSat system has the ability to offer significantly higher transmission speeds, more bandwidth for each passenger, less network congestion, and more attractive airtime pricing than other in-flight Internet access alternatives. The full aircraft system, the first of its kind for commercial aviation, is undergoing certification by the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Compared to air-to-ground and traditional satellite in-flight networks, the improved capacity and economics of our Ka-band system enable airlines to finally bring a high-speed home or office Internet experience to passengers,” said Mark Dankberg, ViaSat CEO and chairman. “Customer feedback on our Exede home Internet service has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re eager to prove that the in-flight experience can be just as good.”
ViaSat is already under contract to install its in-flight system, working together with partner LiveTV, onto 370 aircraft operated by JetBlue and one other U.S. carrier. Installations are expected to begin later this year with all 370 aircraft scheduled to be online by the end of calendar 2015.
