JetBlue subsidiary LiveTV received Supplemental Type Certification (STC) for the first commercial aircraft to install the Iridium OpenPort-Aero satellite communications platform.
Iridium OpenPort-Aero provides data and voice connectivity, including email, text messaging, Web, and GSM voice and data. LiveTV said the system "opens the door to a plethora of in-flight communications services for Airbus 320 aircraft flight crews and passengers."
"The Iridium OpenPort-Aero platform is an ultra-low cost – but highly versatile – communications solution," said Mike Moeller, vice president of sales, LiveTV. "With our first STC in-hand for the terminal, this really opens the door for airlines looking for low-cost connectivity solutions to support crew and passenger connectivity, such as EFBs and wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE)."
"Iridium is proud to deliver the only aviation broadband service that works wheels-up to wheels-down around the globe," said Gregory Ewert, executive vice president, Global Distribution Channels, Iridium. "The Iridium OpenPort-Aero platform provides broadband connectivity at a fraction of the price of other aviation broadband solutions. We are pleased to be at the forefront of aviation communications, with our innovative partner LiveTV, in changing the way passengers email, tweet, surf, work or otherwise communicate in flight."