Saudi Arabia’s Taqnia Space has developed a new Ka- and Ku-band satellite-based in-flight connectivity service that will be launched by Saudi Arabian Airlines in the second quarter of this year.
The UON service was developed in collaboration with satellite operator Eutelsat, with SITAONAIR taking on the role of consultant and technology supplier.
UON will provide passengers on short- and long-haul flights with access to the Internet, telephone and live TV streaming services through their own mobile devices. Its GSM service is modelled on SITAONAIR’s 3.5G mobile platform, and is compatible with all GSM-enabled devices and smartphones.
SITAONAIR will help Taqnia build the infrastructure for the Internet service and the mobile GSM service, says chief executive David Lavorel.
Collaboration on this project was not SITAONAIR’s only Middle Eastern announcement during the show. The company also announced that Kuwait Airways will equip its Airbus A320/321 Neo aircraft with its Internet ONAIR portal and Mobile ONAIR services – powered by Link ONAIR over Inmarsat’s GX Aviation network.
Get all the coverage from Aircraft Interiors on our dedicated event page
Source: Flight Daily News
