April 12, 2016 – Embedded computing technology (ECT) and IFEC avionics systems supplier, Kontron, has announced that Inmarsat will deploy Kontron equipment as part of the airborne segment for the new European Aviation Network (EAN).
Inmarsat’s EAN is a connectivity solution designed to meet the needs of airlines and their passengers across the busy traffic routes of Europe. EAN is delivered through S-band satellite connectivity, combined with a 4G Air-to-Ground (ATG) terrestrial network. This hybrid solution is intended to provide an optimal broadband service to airline passengers and cabin crew over Europe and adjoining airspace. The ATG is being delivered through a partnership between Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom.
Kontron will provide the hardware necessary to implement the cabin wi-fi network onboard the aircraft (including the company’s 8-core ACE Flight 4608 airborne server), and will host Inmarsat’s application software for optimized Internet connectivity and network management. Additional entertainment and operational features are planned as the system is rolled out.