OneWeb and SatixFy sign agreement on connectivity terminal
OneWeb’s IFC Terminal
OneWeb, the global communications network powered from space and SatixFy UK, a multibeam antenna and terminal design specialist, have signed an agreement to develop a new in-Flight Connectivity terminal that will work over the OneWeb network as well as on geostationary (GEO) satellite networks.
SatixFy UK has formed a Joint Venture with Singapore Technology Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), called JetTalk, to exclusively commercialize the IFC terminal for commercial aviation markets.
The IFC terminal will harness the power of OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation and deliver a "home-equivalent" inflight broadband experience, while also allowing operators to complement their legacy GEO service. The product is based on SatixFy’s Electronically Steered Multibeam Antenna (ESMA) technology, developed together with JetTalk and provides multibeam capability and operates simultaneously on multiple LEO and GEO satellites.
Satixfy’s Aviation's Tx Tile
SatixFy has recently completed the development of Tx tile of 576 elements and Rx tile of 1024 elements, that can be used as building blocks for the planned terminal. The tiles, which have been co-developed together with JetTalk, have completed initial testing and are currently being implemented inside a terminal product. The OneWeb IFC terminal will integrate the OneWeb modem as well as a GEO network one, inside the terminal.
“OneWeb is creating IFC solutions which offer a significant increase in the whole passenger travelling experience,” said Ben Griffin, Vice President Mobility at OneWeb, in today’s announcement. “This agreement with SatixFy represents a major milestone for OneWeb Aviation, as we plot our path to facilitating onboard connectivity, globally, on commercial airliners and corporate jets, large and small.”
“The ability to deploy multibeam, multi-satellite, multi-orbit IFC terminals is key in SatixFy’s offering developed in partnership with ST Engineering through our Joint Venture – JetTalk.” said Yoel Gat, SatixFy’s CEO. “Aggregating capacity from multiple satellites will give customers the grade of service they expect on flights. This great leap forward is made possible thanks to the continuous support by ESA and UK Space Agency.”
