Panasonic Avionics and China Telecom Satellite Communications Limited signed a definitive agreement to develop in-flight connectivity solutions for Chinese airlines. The agreement will provide 39 Panasonic customer airlines flying into and over China with in-flight broadband connectivity and will launch a teleport run by China Telecom Satellite in Beijing to service Panasonic’s aeronautical broadband service.
Panasonic’s eXConnect system uses a Ku-band aeronautical satellite network to provide the broadband, for use limited to email and social media updates.
The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) six months ago and have now completed the cooperation agreement. The teleport commercial service and in-flight connectivity launch are pending the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology approvals.