Connectivity
A make or break situation for SmartSky, Gogo in patent showdown
Can you have a continuous inflight internet connection, even when the link between an aircraft and the ground? This question is one of several at the crux of the SmartSky/Gogo patent dispute. And as SmartSky appeals the ruling from earlier late last month denying it a preliminary injunction, this technical nuance takes the spotlight.
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Gogo completes 5G tower deployment
With the final panels hoisted on to a tower atop a mountain in Oregon this week, Gogo now claims a completed 5G air-to-ground network as part of the company's in-flight connectivity offerings. It is a major milestone for the rollout, but it will still be some time before planes are flying with the new network online.
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Starlink Aviation opens up for BizAv orders
Starlink for business aviation is officially on the market, coinciding with the NBAA 2022 conference in Orlando. The company is now accepting orders for the inflight internet service, with hardware to ship in 2023.
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Inmarsat announces Honeywell, Satcom Direct for SwiftJet distribution
It is not a broadband connection, but the boosted performance Inmarsat's SwiftJet delivers over L-band should be a welcome improvement for aero customers. And now they have options for purchasing the service via Honeywell and Satcom Direct.
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Panasonic Avionics, OneWeb team for inflight internet service
Panasonic Avionics (PAC) will add low earth orbit satellites to its inflight internet offerings, thanks to a partnership with OneWeb. The long-expected distribution agreement will enable PAC to market, sell, and support OneWeb’s high-speed, low-latency LEO in-flight broadband services to commercial airlines worldwide.
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AirFi LEO aims to alter the inflight retail landscape
It won't support HD video streaming on board, but the AirFi LEO solution offers an expanded on-board shopping experience, real-time credit card payment authorizations, updated weather reports for pilots, and maybe even basic connectivity for travelers.
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OneWeb successfully orbits 36 more satellites
OneWeb added 36 more satellites to its constellation over the weekend, bringing the total to 462 Gen 1 satellites in orbit.
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Other Industry News
Air Europa adding NFTicket platform
Air Europa arguably* made history earlier this year, selling the first plane ticket as an NFT. Now the carrier is moving to expand on that effort, launching an NFTicket platform to sell regular flight bookings as NFTs, in addition to its normal reservations process.
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