Tecom and Qest, which together are bringing a new Ku-band antenna system to market, expect to receive US FAA certification for their product by the end of January 2010.
In an interview last week at the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) conference and exhibition in Palm Springs, California, Qest director of sales and marketing Michael Stobinski said Qest and Tecom have already started qualification testing on their so-called KuStream 1000 antenna system.
The system will support Ku-band-based in-flight connectivity solutions. It offers maximum Ku-band satellite network data rates and "maximizes satellite footprint usage, resulting in fewer satellites required for network operation, therefore reducing cost", according to Tecom and Qest.
"We are in discussions with all the providers," says Stobinski, citing, for example, talks with Row 44.
If FAA certification is secured in January, as expected, and an order is placed, Tecom and Qest could start delivering KuStream 1000 antenna systems in February 2010, adds the Qest executive
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
