COUNTRY FOCUS: QATAR
important. We have recently
announced further satellite
coverage plans (to cover many
of the heavy airline routes from
this region) and in Europe we
will soon launch an alternative
technology called the European
Aviation Network that employs
both satellite and air-to-ground
in an integrated network.
Watch this space for future
enhancements to our offerings
in this region and globally.
How is this system superior
to others on the market?
Inmarsat is built on a heritage
of saving lives – based upon
a robust, high performing
network that must deliver at all
times; regardless of the time of
day, geography, or land-sea-air.
In order to do this, we’ve had
to build, own and operate our
own networks to ensure we can
deliver exactly this. Naturally, it
is our responsibility to maintain
these important services that
are relied on in all sectors, but
we now build on this legacy
to create global networks that
employ the same philosophy
of network availability, but
applied to differing markets.
For passenger inflight
connectivity, for example,
Inmarsat has deployed a
constellation of satellites
covering the globe that
provides real broadband
performance to passengers
enabling streaming, browsing,
messaging, TV and so on.
This is not in the way that
has been ‘partially’ available
before, which was dependent
on where you flew and how
many other planes were
sharing your bandwidth – but
based upon real guaranteed
data rates, using network
techniques, monitoring and
operations that we have
honed over our decades
of experience of operating
networks efficiently. ¡
www.intelligentcio.com
Qatar Airways’ fleet of aircraft fly to all corners of the world
Qatar Airways became the first
Middle East megacarrier to
select Inmarsat’s advanced
new GX Aviation in-flight
broadband solution.
In a landmark agreement, the
next-generation service will initially
be available to Qatar Airways
passengers on board more than
130 aircraft, consisting of Airbus
A350s and Boeing 777s.
GX Aviation is the world’s first
in-flight connectivity solution
with reliable, seamless high-speed
global coverage provided through
a single operator. It allows airline
passengers to browse the internet,
stream videos, check social media
and more during flights, with an
on-board connectivity experience
on par with broadband services
available on the ground.
Leo Mondale, President of
Inmarsat Aviation, said: “Qatar
Airways is one of the world’s
most successful, fastest growing
and in-demand airlines, with an
unwavering focus on providing the
best service possible. It has offered
Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband
connectivity solution for over
five years now. However, with
our next generation GX Aviation
service now live, its upgrade to
true broadband on more than
130 aircraft initially will ensure
passengers have access to
consistent, reliable and high-speed
connectivity wherever they fly.
“Qatar Airways considered
all available options in the
connectivity market and selected
Inmarsat due to our unique
infrastructure, proven aerospace
partners, and committed long-term
development strategy.”
The service will integrate with
Qatar Airways’ award-winning
in-flight entertainment system
and ensure that connectivity
initiatives, such as its passenger
app and aircraft technology, will
be strengthened using dependable
in-flight broadband. GX Aviation
also complements the airline’s
latest passenger experience
innovations, including its unique
and revolutionary new Qsuite
premium travel experience. ¡
INTELLIGENTCIO
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