Rockwell Collins working with Inmarsat on faster inflight broadband service

Rockwell Collins announced an exclusive agreement Tuesday August 30 with Inmarsat GX to develop terminals and provide service for Inmarsat's new satellite-based global broadband connectivity service.

Under the agreement, Rockwell Collins will be the sole lead developer, producer and distributor of user terminals for Inmarsat GX's future Global Express aeronautical services for the aviation industry.

The announcement was based on an agreement in principle, with a definitive agreement expected by late 2011.

The planned GX offering is the only global Ka-band broadband connectivity offering with transmission speeds at least double that of Ku-band offerings. It will be rolled out after the launch of the first Inmarsat-5 satellite scheduled for mid-2013. Global services for commercial airlines, business aircraft and government customers is expected to go worldwide in 2014.

Rockwell Collins Vice President and General Manager of Flight Information Solutions Steve Timm described the partnership as a "game changer for airborne connectivity" in a statement released by the company.

The service will give aircraft passengers and operators the same level of connectivity in the air as they now do on the ground, Timm said

Rockwell Collins and Inmarsat "will set a new standard for airborne connectivity," Inmarsat GX Managing Director Leo Mondale said.

Inmarsat delivers voice and high speed data services through a global network of more than 400 distribution partners and service providers operating in over 100 countries.