TelecomTV TelecomTV
  • News
  • Videos
  • Channels
  • Events
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • Open RAN
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • 5G
  • Access Evolution
  • Private Networks
  • Cloud Native
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Sustainability
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Security
  • More Topics
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • |
  • About
  • Contact
  • |
  • Connect with us
  • 5G
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Access Evolution
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • Cloud Native
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Open RAN
  • Private Networks
  • Security
  • Sustainability
  • Connect with TelecomTV
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Sign In Register Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • Search

Industry Announcements

Tracker

First ever inflight mobile call reaches 10th anniversary milestone

Via Inmarsat Media Centre

Dec 18, 2017

18 December 2017: On 17 December 2007, working in partnership with Inmarsat, SITAONAIR’s first Mobile ONAIR inflight call was made onboard an Airbus A318, delivered over Inmarsat’s global voice and data service SwiftBroadband.

Over the past decade, more than 550 aircraft have been equipped with the popular service, serving the needs of commercial, VIP and governmental flights alike. In addition, it is now available across all aircraft types, from single-aisle to long-range – resulting in more than 20 million passengers connecting for voice, SMS and data transmission in 2017.

Looking back to the first flight, Veronique Blanc, Head of Engineering at SITAONAIR (then OnAir) in 2007, said: “The launch of Mobile ONAIR and the first inflight phone call was very exciting for everyone involved. Back then, even before the widespread use of smartphones, we knew what we were doing was hugely innovative, and paving the way for the future of inflight connectivity.”

Industry first

Today, Mobile ONAIR and Inmarsat’s partnership with SITAONAIR continues to evolve with developments such as the recent deployment of cutting-edge inflight mobile network services over Inmarsat’s high-speed broadband GX Aviation service. In this aviation industry first, passengers and crew benefit from high-speed and seamless connectivity, comparable to the home experience.

Frederik van Essen, Inmarsat Aviation Senior Vice President said: “Passenger expectations around inflight connectivity have dramatically evolved over the past decade. Inmarsat worked shoulder to shoulder with SITAONAIR ten years ago to pioneer the first ever inflight mobile phone call and data connectivity on an international flight.

“Today, we are together introducing unprecedented new capacities with GX Aviation, ensuring that airline passengers can browse the internet, stream videos, check social media and more during flights, with an onboard connectivity experience comparable to the mobile broadband services they may receive on the ground.”

Essential component

Gregory Ouillon, Chief Technology Officer at SITAONAIR, said: “It’s remarkable to think that it was just ten years ago that SITAONAIR launched the world’s first inflight mobile service onboard an international flight.

“Ten years is a long time in aviation, however, and during this period the solution has evolved to become an essential component of the full cabin connectivity experience, allowing passengers to use their mobile phones as they would on the ground.”

Related Topics
  • Access Evolution,
  • Announcement,
  • Broadband,
  • Europe,
  • Government,
  • Inmarsat,
  • Mobile,
  • News,
  • Tracker

More Like This

6G R&I

VIAVI 6G Forward Program Drives Academic and Industry Research

Aug 16, 2022

5G

Verizon and Hi-Rez team to give Rogue Company players an enhanced mobile experience with 5G

Aug 16, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

Kyivstar to provide national digital health service for Ukraine

Aug 16, 2022

Access Evolution

Nokia and Telekom Serbia/MTEL verify 600Gbit/s optical network over 600km

Aug 16, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

Worldwide Collaboration Applications Revenues Grew 28.4% Year Over Year in 2021; Its Fifth Consecutive Year of Double-Digit Growth, According to IDC

Aug 16, 2022

This content extract was originally sourced from an external website (Inmarsat Media Centre) and is the copyright of the external website owner. TelecomTV is not responsible for the content of external websites. Legal Notices

Email Newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest industry developments: sign up to receive TelecomTV's top news and videos plus exclusive subscriber-only content direct to your inbox – including our daily news briefing and weekly wrap.

Subscribe

Top Picks

Highlights of our content from across TelecomTV today

0:46

The Cloud Native Telco Summit returns this September!

8:32

Azita Arvani on Being a Female Leader at Rakuten Symphony

16:19

AT&T Amy Zwarico on securing telco applications in the public cloud

1:44

Join us for the greatest industry debate of the year!

TelecomTV
Company
  • About Us
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
Our Brands
  • DSP Leaders World Forum
  • Great Telco Debate
  • TelecomTV Events
Get In Touch
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 448 1070
Connect With Us
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Notices
  • Help

TelecomTV is produced by the team at Decisive Media.

© Decisive Media Limited 2022. All rights reserved. All brands and products are the trademarks of their respective holder(s).