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Panasonic Avionics Corp. has unveiled a third-generation network. Introduced during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the network is built on Panasonic’s high throughput satellite service.
“Our new satellite communications network is more than just greater bandwidth,” said Hideo Nakano, CEO of Panasonic Avionics. “It represents a major evolution in our approach to partnering with customers to deliver the highest standards of service and to ensure that their passengers enjoy an unmatched, connected experience in flight.”
During the first quarter of this year, Panasonic said, aircraft from a number of airlines are to be transitioned to its new network. Panasonic subsidiary ITC Global also plans to leverage the new broadband network to deliver connectivity to its energy, maritime and enterprise customers.
The satellite service the network is built on covers dense mobility traffic areas with high throughput spot beams and wide overlay beams that support the global in-flight TV service, Panasonic said. Combined with new satellite modem, developed in conjunction with Newtec, Panasonic can offer bandwidth up to 20 times greater than previously available, the company said.
More than 1,800 aircraft are using Panasonic’s in-flight connectivity service, the company said. And it expects more than 10,000 aircraft to be connected by 2025.