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Satcom Direct has unveiled an expanded range of service plans for Viasat’s ConneX inflight broadband service, SD said Monday at NBAA-BACE. Viasat will make the new plans available exclusively to Satcom Direct operators equipping their aircraft with the SD Plane Simple Ka-band tail mount terminal.
The option includes the first “power-by-the-hour” option for JetConneX, enabling business jet operators to pay an hourly rate for inflight connectivity. SD said these service plans offer streamlined global connectivity for more aircraft owners around the world.
Purpose-built for business aviation, the terminal consists of two line-replaceable units—a tail-mount antenna with a reduced footprint and the SD modem that sits in the unpressurized part of the fuselage, saving cabin space.
Along with the new service plans, SD and Viasat are making available more powerful Ka-band connectivity to a broader range of aircraft sizes. Owners and operators will benefit from high-speed data transfer for teleconferencing, HD video streaming, and multiple digital applications for high volumes of users traveling on midsize to large-cabin jets.
“Our goal is to ensure our business aviation customers can benefit from consistent, reliable service,” said SD president Chris Moore. “Our Plane Simple Ka-band technology, combined with new plans and our industry-leading customer support, adds further value to our offering.”
Satcom Direct and Viasat also have confirmed that the Plane Simple terminal will connect immediately with the GX satellite constellation, launched by Viasat’s recently acquired Inmarsat business. The constellation is also upgradable to the company’s full-band network, including the ViaSat-3 satellites and GX satellites as they come online.
The service plans will enter commercial service once SD finalizes flight testing of the Plane Simple Ka-band terminal and gains certification, which is expected early next year.