Intelsat And
Panasonic To Bring Broadband Service To The Skies
(6 May 2008) Intelsat, Ltd., the
world's leading provider of commercial satellite services, and Panasonic
Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), today announced the signing of a multi-year
service agreement that will result in the next generation of in-flight
passenger broadband access.
Panasonic, known for delivering
state-of-the-art in-flight technology, is introducing an advanced satellite
transmission platform that will allow airline passengers the ability to access
Internet-based information and entertainment. The service, Panasonic eXConnect,
provides passengers Internet connectivity.
The platform will leverage
Intelsat's existing GlobalConnexSM Network Broadband service that is available
on Intelsat's global satellite fleet of 53 in-orbit satellites, and regional
teleport facilities. By utilising Intelsat's existing infrastructure, Panasonic
will be able to introduce eXConnect in key regions around the world, providing
an efficient and cost effective means to scale the network capacity as demand
grows.
Panasonic eXConnect enables two-way broadband connectivity that
provides a wide range of applications useful to both the passengers and crew
such as VPN, live television, shopping, streaming media, telemedicine,
operational applications and personal devices integrated to the airline's
in-flight entertainment systems. With data rates comparable to ground public
Wi-Fi hotspots, eXConnect offers airlines the opportunity to further
differentiate their in-flight product with a valuable service to their
passengers.
"On-demand, mobile communications continues to fuel the
widespread integration of cutting-edge satellite services," said Jay Yass,
Intelsat's Vice President, Network Services. "The agreement with Panasonic
further demonstrates Intelsat's ability to lead the global satellite industry
in creating innovative data, video and voice infrastructure solutions. The
Panasonic eXConnect platform, powered by the Intelsat system, delivers seamless
broadband connectivity to passengers who seek Internet access wherever and
whenever they need it, enabling them to stay connected while in
flight."
"At Panasonic, we believe that true broadband communication is
an enabling technology that will unlock new efficiency and reliability
improvements in the aeronautical world in addition to groundbreaking passenger
connectivity service," said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer at Panasonic
Avionics Corporation. "We believe Intelsat has the best in class satellite
communications systems to provide
Panasonic with the satellite resources
and operating knowledge necessary for the new eXConnect service to be
operationally and financially successful."
About Panasonic Avionics
Corporation
Panasonic Avionics Corporation is the world's leading
supplier of in-flight entertainment (IFE) and communication systems. The
company's best-in-class solutions, supported by professional maintenance
services, fully integrate with the cabin enabling airlines to deliver the
ultimate travel experiences with a rich variety of entertainment choices,
resulting in improved quality communication systems and solutions, reduced
time-to-market and lower overall costs. Established in 1979, Panasonic Avionics
serves over 200 customers world-wide and provides systems on over 3,700
aircraft. Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, the company employs over
2,600 employees with operations in 80 locations world-wide. Panasonic Avionics
Corporation is a subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the
principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.,
Ltd.
About Intelsat
Intelsat is the leading provider of fixed
satellite services (FSS) world-wide, delivering advanced transmission access
for information and entertainment to many of the world's leading media and
network companies, multinational corporations, Internet service providers and
governmental agencies. Intelsat also offers seamless service for voice, data
and video transmission unmatched in the industry. With the globalisation of
content, broadband, telecom, HD and IPTV fuelling next-generation growth, the
ever-expanding universe of satellite services are the cornerstones of today's
Intelsat. Real-time, advanced communications with people anywhere in the world
is closer, by far.
(source: Intelsat)
