Panasonic Avionics and China Telecom Satellite Communications signed a firm agreement to jointly support in-flight connectivity for domestic and international airlines flying over Chinese airspace.
The firm agreement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two companies in July. Under the terms of the agreement, China Telecom will operate a Beijing-based teleport to provide Panasonic’s aeronautical broadband service for all 39 of the Lake Forest, Calif. company’s airlines and new airlines based in China or abroad that seek connectivity in the region’s airspace.
According to Panasonic, the teleport is ready to launch the Ku-band service commercially as both companies await final approval of the partnership and service from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
"Over the past six months since we announced the MOU with China Telecom Satellite, we have made great progress and now have completed the cooperation agreement. Now we are collectively ready to begin this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers," said Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics.
The service is expected to launch immediately following all necessary regulatory approvals.