SES has reached agreements-in-principle with several regional satellite network operators to launch the SES Open Orbits Inflight Connectivity (IFC) Network. This initiative aims to provide seamless connectivity services to airlines worldwide. The fully interoperable Ka-band platform will integrate SES’s geostationary earth orbit (GEO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite networks with those of NEO Space Group (NSG), a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF); AeroSat Link (ASL), a subsidiary of China Satcom; and Hughes Communications India (HCI).
The SES Open Orbits network is designed to enable satellite operators with regional coverage to participate in a global IFC service offering for airlines. This open architecture network will intelligently steer traffic across interoperable Ka-band networks, ensuring a seamless connectivity experience for airline passengers via multiple satellite systems. The global inflight connectivity network will utilise multi-orbit and multi-waveform capacity from regional service partners and SES to deliver resilient services, including high-quality video, data, and communications offerings comparable to ground services.
Elias Zaccack, Global Head of Aviation for SES, said: “By spearheading the creation of SES Open Orbits using an open architecture that supports multiple orbits and multiple waveforms, SES is enabling more satellite operators and inflight service providers to participate in the global market for inflight connectivity. SES Open Orbits is the future of inflight connectivity – the solution airlines must have to differentiate and future-proof their IFC services. It will allow airlines to roam seamlessly across multiple satellites and orbits to deliver the best quality inflight connectivity services.”
Philippe Carette, Head of Aerospace Segment of PIF, added: “NSG is excited to be among the first global partners to join the SES Open Orbits inflight connectivity network. Through the combination of our satellite network across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East and SES Open Orbits, we are setting new expectations across the inflight connectivity market, delivering a superior performance that goes well above and beyond traditional industry standards.”
Yufei Shen, Vice President at China Satcom, stated: “Connecting flights over, in and out of China, and throughout the Asia-Pacific region is extremely important to most major airlines around the world. China Satcom is extremely pleased to partner with SES to help bring a whole new level of inflight connectivity by leveraging our Ka-band network.”
Shivaji Chatterjee, CEO, President and MD of HCI, commented: “Our high throughput network on GSAT-20 satellite over India will launch soon and will play a key role in the global SES Open Orbits aero network. We will also bring our deep experience in providing end-to-end connectivity services in multiple verticals to our partnership with SES to help ensure the best possible passenger experience to airlines using this exciting, first-of-its-kind inflight connectivity network.”
As SES is a Managed Service Provider (MSP) of Airbus’s HBCplus programme, the SES Open Orbits network will also be accessible to airlines participating in that programme. Additionally, SES is working through Safran Passenger Innovations to offer SES Open Orbits on Boeing aircraft via the Boeing TSA process.
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