Satellite operator Eutelsat of Paris is introducing a new service that will make high-speed Internet connectivity more widely available to commercial airline passengers in Europe, the company said Jan. 24.
The Eutelsat Air Access service, to be available starting in mid-2013, will utilize Eutelsat’s Ka-Sat high-throughput Ka-band satellite and ViaSat’s Surfbeam 2 technology, the company said. The service initially will target Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, with expansion plans that will utilize other Ka-band satellites, Eutelsat said.
Eutelsat is partnering with LiveTV, a provider of satellite-based television and Internet services to commercial airline passengers, in rolling out its new platform. LiveTV of Melbourne, Fla., will be responsible for providing, installing and maintaining aircraft-based user equipment, Eutelsat said.
