Satellite Services Fuel Innovative Connectivity Solutions In The Air

Airlines require increasing amounts of bandwidth as passenger demand for inflight connectivity rises and they discover the operational efficiencies that are now possible. These aspects of the aeronautical market, and SES’s next generation of satellites designed for it, are detailed in the latest SES White Paper “Sky High Connectivity."

Passengers are so enamoured with inflight entertainment (IFE) that seven out of ten would like to order their meals through the IFE system,” the White Paper states. “Nearly half are willing to pay for internet and entertainment services, and 72% prefer watching movies and TV over sleeping on long-haul flights.”

To boost this demand, SES has set out a multi-band, multi-orbit, multi-system architecture approach which provides inherent flexibility and advantages. The recent announcement of SES-17 demonstrates this strategy.

“Delivering successful inflight solutions is not about GEO or MEO satellites, but the definition of the value chain and the application at the customer and user’s end,” concludes the White Paper. “The interplay between these elements is the key to success, and that is why SES is investing equally in the infrastructure it is building both in space and on the ground, in order to deliver uncompromising quality in the air.”

(Source: SES news release. Image from white paper cover)

FMI: Full White Paper