The FT reports that satellite operator ViaSat of California will sue Inmarsat over what ViaSat describes as “blatant misuse of [satellite] spectrum, which must stop now”.

UK regulator Ofcom this week granted Inmarsat a licence to operate its system.

ViaCom already has legal actions in Germany, Belgium, Italy as well as with the European Court of Justice against Inmarsat, and Eutelsat and Panasonic Avionics are also involved in the actions against Inmarsat.

The FT says that Rick Baldridge is insisting that Inmarsat should either be compelled to comply with the original conditions of the license or else the spectrum should be retendered.

Inmarsat wants to use the spectrum for aircraft connectivity and has already signed up Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, BA, Singapore Airlines and AirAsia to its In Flight ‘GX Aviation’ services.

Frederik van Essen, head of Inmarsat Aviation, stated that ViaSat’s action is without merit.

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