Communications satellite company SES S.A. and the Thales Group announced a contract with Hughes Network Systems for FlytLIVE inflight broadband internet connectivity.
"Under the agreements, SES contracts capacity on Hughes EchoStar XVII and EchoStar XIX high throughput (HTS) Ka-band satellites to complement its AMC-15 and AMC-16 network giving FlytLIVE the only redundant coverage network in North America," according to PRNewswire.
This increased coverage will provide advanced internet connectivity during flights, allowing passengers to stream internet services for movies, live television, video games and social media. Airlines will also be able to upload content, download operational data and provide live television channels to their entire fleet through managed end-to-end solutions and network services.
Thales will be able to offer coverage to routes that fly predominantly over open ocean, including flights between the northeastern United States, Canada and the Caribbean.
SES S.A. is also purchasing multiple Hughes JUPITER System gateways to support traffic carried over AMC-15 and AMC-16, as well as SES-17, when the service begins.
"Our experience and position as a global leader in satellites, avionics, cybersecurity and connected inflight entertainment means we are able to deliver the most capable solutions our customers expect," said Dominique Giannoni, CEO of Thales InFlyt Experience.
"With these strategic agreements with SES and Hughes, Thales FlytLIVE service will be uniquely able to deliver airlines and their passengers with an unsurpassed, connected inflight entertainment experience," he added.
FlytLIVE network enters initial operations in 2017, in advance of the launch of SES-17 Ka-band HTS satellite, scheduled for 2020.
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