In-flight communications and entertainment business Global Eagle has leased Ku-band capacity on Eutelsat’s 7A craft. The satellite, launched in 2004 (and with a minimum design life of 15 years) was originally called Eutelsat W3A. When new it had 38 Ku-band transponders. It was renamed Eutelsat 7A in 2011 and operated from 7 degrees East. Global […]
Euroconsult has quantified the heavy impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on satellite services for the maritime market. With in depth detail on maritime communications market dynamics today and over the next ten years, the research highlights coming opportunities for consolidation and how non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite constellations will change the playing field. There was a […]
In-Flight business aviation communications specialists Gogo has refinanced its borrowings. The new borrowings (Term Loan B) will reduce its overall leverage, enhance the company’s liquidity and deliver about $70 million in annual interest payments. Gogo has taken a $725 million 7-year loan along with a 5-year $100 million revolving credit line. As of April 20th, […]
In-Flight entertainment and connectivity provider Gogo Business Aviation which serves the professional and business flight sector has signed up Jet Edge to provide 4G streaming to the private jet charter operator. The joint statement says the long-term partnership will upgrade Jet Edge’s AdvantEdge and Managed super-mid and large cabin fleet to AVANCE L5, Gogo’s most […]
Global Eagle, a provider of high-speed connectivity and entertainment solutions for demanding worldwide mobility markets, has introduced Iris, a cost-effective inflight entertainment (IFE) subscription service for airlines. Iris is already used by more than 20 of Global Eagle’s major customers, with most of the company’s client airlines converting to the platform by mid-2021. Iris offers […]
Intelsat has published the first in a blog series designed to debunk myths about satellite communications and how it is planning for its future. Intelsat answers the argument that “Truly exceptional inflight WiFi will always be out of reach”. Intelsat reminds readers that in 2019 – in happier pre-Covid times – US airlines carried more […]
Reports have emerged that London-based satellite operator Inmarsat had “secretly” linked with Hughes Network System to collaborate on winning a major slice of the world’s in-flight broadband services, and bringing costs down to zero for travellers. Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce described the link with Hughes (a business owned by Charlie Ergen’s EchoStar) as a “game […]
In-Flight broadband specialists Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganisation back in July with around $1.1 billion of debts. It owed many key operators in the satellite industry considerable sums: SES ($26.6 million), Intelsat ($9.8 million), Abu Dhabi’s YahSat ($3.6 million), Hughes/Echostar ($3.1 million), Telesat ($2.5 million) and Asiasat ($960,000). The business […]
Delta Air Lines wants to offer its passengers free broadband access whilst they are on-board one of their aircraft. Intelsat agrees, and is backing the move to ‘always on’ broadband in the air. Intelsat’s SVP/Mobility, Mark Rasmussen, quoted by Runway Girl Network (RGN), says that the “free in-flight browsing” is what it, and most airlines, […]
A few days ago in-flight entertainment (IFE) supplier Global Eagle Entertainment entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Now, rival IFE operator Gogo is laying off staff as the Covid-19 virus continues to impact air travel and a slump in demand. Gogo says it will eliminate 143 full-time staff “predominantly from the Company’s Commercial Aviation business”. “As […]