Story ID: 333
Satcom Direct Steps Up Satellite Connectivity Services
By: Peter Shaw-Smith
Caption: The satcom system runs on the FlexExec high-throughput satellite network
Word Count: 316
Global connectivity solutions provider Satcom Direct is marking the one-year anniversary of the Plane Simple Ku-band antenna commercial introduction during the Dubai Airshow. 
With almost 50 supplemental type certificates granted approval by the FAA, EASA, TCCA, and ANAC Brazil for Dassault, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and Embraer airframes, the SD Plane Simple terminal has already transmitted more than 10,000 hours of uninterrupted connectivity via the Intelsat FlexExec high-throughput satellite network.
Satcom Direct is keen to convey to delegates in Dubai the ease of terminal installation, customizable options, and special mission capabilities of the system.
The company said validation flights for the next SD Plane Simple variant, the Ka-band terminal, have reached the final stages and confirmed uninterrupted performance powered by Viasat’s Jet ConneX inflight broadband service. 
Satcom Direct is promoting a newly expanded range of service plans when aircraft are equipped with the Ka-band variant. The programs deliver greater flexibility and high-speed data transfer for teleconferencing, HD video streaming, and multiple digital applications for high volumes of users traveling on large-size jets and narrow- and widebody aircraft. 
For the first time, options also include an hourly rate plan for Jet ConneX, enabling operators to pay a per-hour rate for inflight connectivity.
Operators of government, head-of-state and executive airliners, or larger business jets capable of supporting the two Plane Simple terminals can learn more about the SD Dual Dissimilar system. By equipping an aircraft with both the Plane Simple Ku- and forthcoming Ka-band tail mount antennas, two different satellite constellations are supported, enabling operators to leverage the best aspects of each network. 
“The doubling of antennas increases the amount of data that can be transmitted and the bandwidth available to enhance digital communications, aircraft performance monitoring, and crew operations support for avionics and cabin Wi-Fi,” the company said.