Satcom Direct aims to deliver a new Ka-band option to its Plane Simple in-flight connectivity platform next year. The company announced that a test version of the kit successfully communicated with an Inmarsat satellite. This brings the solution a step closer for commercial deployment.
Moving to the next phase of development with our new Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System for Inmarsat’s Jet ConneX – and being one step closer to securing type approval for use on the Inmarsat satellite network – is a huge step forward for our business and for business aviation.
– Jim Jensen, Satcom Direct’s Founder and CEO
The Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System features a modern lightweight design for quicker and easier installation and maintenance. It is designed to meet current and long-term connectivity needs in the business aviation market, optimizing inflight Wi-Fi for super-mid to large-size jets. With this version of the terminal, business aviation customers will be able to make the most of Inmarsat’s existing and future world-class connectivity services.
The Plane Simple platform consists of just two components, a tail-mount antenna developed by QEST and two line-replaceable units. The minimal installation footprint reduces maintenance fees and provides an easy transition pathway to upgrade connectivity services.
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The companies hope that this new, more streamlined terminal configuration helps boost installation opportunities and grow the customer base for the satellite-connected in-flight WiFi experience.
A complete prototype unit of the Plane Simple Ka-band Antenna System is scheduled for completion later this year. That will be followed by design verification, testing, and certification. The companies hope it will be available for commercial service in 2023.
Satcom Direct also recently announced qualification of its Ku-band Plane Simple terminal on the Intelsat FlexExec network. The qualification process for that iteration took several months and hundreds of hours of test flights to optimize and validate the configuration. A similar timeline can be assumed for the Ka-band version.
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