Story ID: 697 Satcom1
Satcom1’s New TV Service Gets High Ratings
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: Introduced this spring, Satcom1.TV is piped aboard via IPTV technology
Word Count: 268
Satcom1 is touting its Satcom1.TV, which was introduced in May and has “become a significant success in the VVIP market,” according to Karina Larsen, vice president and co-founder of the Copenhagen-based company. She cites the Middle Eastern market as being particularly receptive toward the service, with regional customers requesting OSN, BeIN Sports and SkyUK channels.

The launch platform was a head-of-state Airbus A340 for an undisclosed customer. Since then, Satcom1 has delivered the service to Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier and Gulfstream aircraft.

Based on IPTV technology, TV channels are transmitted over the Internet, which Satcom1 (Booth N1528) can provide through its AvioIP software suite and router installation. The application suite enables the system to use Inmarsat SwiftBroadband channel aggregation. Two aggregated channels allow Satcom1.TV to operate using only 800 kbps data speed. Satcom1.TV will also be compatible with Ka-band installations coming in the second quarter of next year.

“We expect that our customer base will switch into new, much faster and robust satellite solutions, like Inmarsat Ka-band or Exede-In-the-Air Ka-band by ViaSat in the coming years,” said Larsen. “Once new Ka-band networks are officially in service, the customers will be able to enjoy their favorite channels in superior quality, wherever they fly.”

Meanwhile, Satcom1 AvioIP software version 2.6, launched in April, includes support of Inmarsat’s high-data-rate service, providing data speeds of 650 kbps per channel onboard. By combining two channels, the system can reach speeds from 1.1 Mbps to 1.3 Mbps. Satcom1 has been testing this dual-channel solution at its research and development lab at Le Bourget Airport in Paris.