Global: European airline passengers to get in-flight broadband with UK’s Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom tie-up

Follow Us

UK’s Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom has joined together to provide high-speed internet access on flights using a combined satellite and air-to-ground network. The speed and coverage will equal the home broadband services, say the companies.

wifi




The cost for the service will be charged according to the cabin class and ticket pricing, said Lufthansa’s Chief Executive Carsten Spohr in Frankfurt, which will put the new service on trial in 2017. Earlier, Lufthansa offered wireless internet only on long-haul flights and this would be a new way to generate revenue from its passengers. Lufthansa would offer the service on 180 of its planes.

According to Spohr, 85 percent of customers are willing to give up other amenities on board to get internet coverage. The new framework combines LTE and satellite networks to deliver internet. It would be called as The European Aviation Network.

The multi-beam satellites in the network would rely on Inmarsat's 30MHz (2 x 15MHz) S-band spectrum, which covered all 28 EU member states. On the other hand, Deutsche Telekom, will utilize 300 specially-modified LTE sites that ranged up to 80 kilometers (normal masts offer around 10 kilometers) capable of efficiently dealing with the speed of a plane travelling at 10,000 feet.

The system will switch automatically between the S-band satellite and the high speed broadband ground network, so that the connectivity is not lost. According to Inmarsat they would be "similar to the comfort of high-speed broadband at home" -- whether their plane was above land or water.

Europe has the largest high density air traffic routes in the world.

Reported By

Reporter

An astute writer with a track record in writing and publishing content for various industries, Ria brings on board her wealth of experience in journalism and love for technology to TelecomTalk. When not writing or reading, she spends a copious amount of time daydreaming and finding obscure Japanese folklore on the internet.

Recent Comments

TheAndroidFreak :

Off Topic :Nothing Phone 3

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

rks :

Kahan kahan kiya Bhai Mera village Aaj bhi tujhe pukare jo 2g lagaya h usko 4g kar de Zara.

Vi Added 100 Towers Every Hour to Expand Network

TheAndroidFreak :

Off Topic: REDMI Turbo 4 Spotted on BIS Certification with model no 2412DPC0AI 6.67",1.5K Resolution 120HZ Refresh Rate MTK Dimensity…

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

TheAndroidFreak :

Off Topic: Poco F7 Ultra camera 50MP Light Hunter 800 1/1.55" OIS Primary 32MP 120° FOV Ultra-wide 50MP JN5 1/2.76"…

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

TheAndroidFreak :

Off Topic : Battery life will be crazy. ??

OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 to Feature Qualcomm Snapdragon 8…

Load More
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments