Big news from Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics Corporation! The two IFEC giants have entered into a strategic collaboration – with an initial 10-year tie-in – that will see them combine their services to offer broadband in-flight connectivity paired with complementary solutions and services.
Under the terms of the agreement, Inmarsat will become Panasonic’s exclusive provider of Ka-band IFC for commercial aviation. Panasonic will now be able to offer Inmarsat’s high-speed, broadband connectivity service, GX Aviation, powered by the Global Xpress Ka-band satellite network. Panasonic will continue to invest in its own network, with GX Aviation as a primary offering for new business.
On Inmarsat’s side, the company will now be able to offer Panasonic’s range of services and NEXT solutions to its commercial aviation customers. This includes customer support services available from Panasonic’s Customer Performance Center and Technical Services teams.
The collaboration is already being deployed with a mutual customer, according to the companies, and the next stage will be for Inmarsat and Panasonic to collaborate on the development of a next-generation GX Aviation terminal, as well as new connectivity-enabled services, data analytics and technology to improve overall end-to-end performance.
Rupert Pearce, CEO of Inmarsat, stated, “IFC is a substantial and fast-emerging sector where the quality of customer experience is paramount. Reliable, high-quality IFC is no longer a luxury for passengers, but an expectation, and will play a vital role in securing an airline’s competitive position in a market.
“This landmark announcement is clear evidence of Inmarsat delivering on its strategy and strengthens our conviction that, building upon the success of the global GX network, aviation will be a significant individual growth driver of our overall business. It also demonstrates Inmarsat’s commitment to becoming the reference IFC network for airlines around the world.
Hideo Nakano, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, added, “By adding GX Aviation into our NEXT Online portfolio, we’re recognizing the need for IFC consistency across multiple fleets, and enabling digital solutions and services with unified customer support. It’s really a win-win for customers. After all, there’s nothing quite like watching your favorite sporting event on the seatback, shopping for products that are relevant to your life and interests, or using apps that personalize your journey.
“Clearly, this is truly a tremendous opportunity for our industry. We look forward to working with Inmarsat to provide a wider suite of services and solutions to the world’s airlines.”
