Panasonic Avionics Corporation (PAC), the in-flight connectivity provider, has completed the latest phase in its investment in in-flight connectivity with the activation of extreme high throughput (XTS) satellite coverage over China and the Asia Pacific region.
The beam over the Asia Pacific from Apstar 6D, Panasonic Avionics' first XTS satellite, has gone live through teleports in Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Perth. This is expected to enable airlines based in the region and others flying over it to benefit from its enhanced satellite capacity.
"Apstar 6Dprovides airlines flying across the Asia Pacific with multiple gigahertz of new Ku-band capacity over China, including high-density air traffic routes across East Asia using XTS spot beams. Apstar delivers 90 beams across the whole region, and 50 Gbps in capacity, said a press release from the supplier of in-flight entertainment and communication systems.
"China and the Asia Pacific region is a strategically important market for Panasonic Avionics and a key priority in our roadmap for introducing increased satellite capacity. Chinese airlines can now enhance their in-flight experience and brand value by enabling their passengers to enjoy our industry-leading connectivity in the skies," said Jeff Sare, Vice President of In-Flight Connectivity Services at Panasonic Avionics Corporation.
The satellite is an integral part of Panasonic Avionics’ third-generation communications (Gen-3) network of high speed, high bandwidth Ku-band satellites. The network, covering more than 99 percent of all routes, places capacity to meet the growing needs of airlines to serve their passengers.
Panasonic Avionics’ Gen-3 network offers faster Internet, video streaming, VoIP applications, improved picture quality and broader channel choice, 4G phone services, and greater bandwidth for crew applications.
Panasonic Avionics is planning a range of further investments in in-flight connectivity in the next two years. These include the increase in satellite coverage over Russia this month with SES NSS-12 satellite and further capacity over the Middle East this autumn with the addition of the SES12 HTS satellite capacity.
The next XTS satellite to join Panasonic Avionics’ Gen-3 network, Eutelsat 10B, is due to launch next year, entering into service in 2023. It will provide enhanced connectivity to airlines and their passengers flying over Europe and the Middle East.