Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) and satellite operator SES have announced an agreement, whereby SES will provide global, Ku-band satellite bandwidth to GEE for use in its in-flight connectivity system. As part of the long-term agreement, GEE and SES will work together to enable in-flight connectivity solutions to be provided to airlines around the world.
GEE will offer airlines global connectivity coverage using SES’s worldwide satellite network, greatly expanding GEE’s capabilities and services. The agreement includes access to the existing SES network, as well as to upcoming high-throughput satellite (HTS) spot beam-based systems, providing increases in bandwidth speeds.
Under this agreement, SES satellites will provide GEE with Ku-band capacity to support its worldwide mobile connectivity solution on a combination of SES satellites, along with select teleport services. SES currently has 50 satellites today, with five more under construction.
“We see this as the beginning of a strong strategic partnership between SES and GEE that enables us to broaden our in-flight connectivity capabilities to airline customers,” said Aditya Chatterjee, CTO at GEE. “The demand for in-flight connectivity has never been greater, particularly with airlines looking to serve passengers and drive ancillary revenue. As we continue to expand internationally, SES’s broad coverage area, technology capabilities, and sales and service commitments provide us with a solution that meets our airline customers’ short and long-haul needs and the passengers’ desire to always be connected.”
