Connected World

In ground, how do we stay connected through technology? We call, we text and we e-mail, not to forget we watch movies, check the weather, catch up with news, etc, irrespective of whether we are stationary or on the move, and all instantly. We use the smartphone, the iPad, or the laptop. Exactly, the same can be now done in the skies. That is the power of ICT (information and communication technologies).

In business aviation ‘staying connected’ is intrinsic to its nature of operations. Someone rightly said that part of the business of owning a private aircraft is the ability to conduct business while on that aircraft.

Facilitating that there have been many significant technological breakthroughs in communication which are getting integrated into aviation at a fast pace. Technology is rapidly evolving. It never stands still. Global mobile communications is growing at an astounding pace, giving access to fast, uninterrupted inflight connectivity at speeds we are used to on the ground.

There are many enterprise software systems and applications that allow us to conduct business virtually in air.

FASTEST INFLIGHT INTERNET CONNECTION

Inmarsat’s Global Xpress (GX) is one. It is the world’s first worldwide Ka-band mobile satellite system, which is on track for global commercial service introduction in the second half of 2015, both for commercial passengers and for business aviation.

Soon business jets will have access to Internet speeds of 50 Mbps, anywhere in the world. It is expected to be the fastest inflight Internet connection available. Called Jet ConneX, it will be powered by GX Ka-band satellites which are seven metres tall and the solar arrays, which provide the satellite’s power, have the same wingspan as a Boeing 737. Once in orbit nearly 36,000 km from Earth they weigh 3,750 kg each. Three of them in orbit will provide global coverage. The first satellite is already in orbit over the Indian Ocean and entered commercial operation and the second and third satellites are expected to be launched this year.

WHEELS-UP TO WHEELS-DOWN CONNECTION

Meanwhile, Iridium had its OpenPort Aero system for the first time on a business aviation flight in October last. The Iridium OpenPort Aero is a unique system that allows users to connect in flight to their smartphone, tablet or laptop from wheels-up to wheels-down, anywhere they may fly.

The groundbreaking hour-long flight test took place on a Bombardier Challenger 604. The testing crew utilized four iPads and two smartphones to test speed levels, access websites, download data, send e-mail and texts and make phones calls over the Iridium network. This was all made possible through the help of Iridium’s technology partner LiveTV, who has adapted the Iridium OpenPort technology for use in a wide range of aeronautical platforms and applications.

Similarly, ViaSat offers high-speed Internet service for business and VIP aircraft. ViaSat’s Yonder and Exede in The Air services for general aviation ensures well-connected workspace and entertainment. Yonder in-flight Internet is said to be the fastest service over land and water for business jets. ViaSat delivers an unmatched Internet experience to hundreds of aircraft on its global Ku-band network.

ViaSat is also responding to the simultaneous growth in mobile devices and bandwidth demanded by passengers with Exede in The Air service for general aviation. Leveraging its leadership in true high-capacity Ka-band satellite technology, one can circle the globe and get the best in-flight Internet service on its Ka- and Ku-band satellites, no matter where one travels.

PRODUCTIVE AND ENTERTAINED ONBOARD

You can be productive and entertained while on board: conduct HD videoconferences; stream music; watch HD IPTV & videos; connect to corporate VPNs; browse the web; and send and receive e-mail and files at great speeds. These are already in operation on commercial airlines. The ViaSat advantages include predictable monthly fees which allows for better budget planning; service available through all phases of flight including taxi, take-off and landing; network coverage over 90 per cent of the world’s most popular flight paths. The communication shipsets are designed specifically for business and VIP aircraft – large cabin business jets use the Aero Mobile Teminal 5230 Ka-band system and VMT-1500 Ku-band system, the lightest, smallest-footprint terminals.

Connectivity on the ground or on air or on sea has become a natural communication feature

In the US where all the communication trends are set, there are several providers. Aircell is one company that provides a solution for the business traveller to stay connected while on a corporate or business jet. The Aircell High Speed Internet, business jet passengers can enjoy streaming video, access corporate VPNs, etc. Technology is gaining ground in this area as well with the invent of Apple’s iPad, making it even easier to conduct business on the fly. So is Itasca-based Gogo, one of the largest provider of in-flight Wi-Fi in the US.. Gogo business aviation claims to be the only company that can offer the best of today’s in-flight connectivity plus today’s hottest inflight entertainment service. Gogo Internet operates on wireless signals provided by Gogo’s Air-To-Ground network, a reliable network of cellular towers spanning from sea to sea. While the Gogo Network has wired the entire continental United States for skyward Wi-Fi, actual signal strength and coverage may vary by altitude and network traffic volume.

The UCS 5000 smartrouter works with Gogo Biz, so it supports Gogo Text & Talk (use your own phone in flight). It also powers Gogo Vision for on-demand in-flight entertainment at your command. In addition, the UCS 5000 is an operational marvel. It is small. It is affordable. It adds new features with software keys instead of hardware. And it completely reinvents updating – doing so wirelessly and automatically.

FULLY CONNECTED AIRCRAFT

Amjet Executive SA was the first ‘fully connected aircraft’ worldwide in May 2013. The Dassault Falcon 7x jet is equipped with OnAir’s inflight mobile phone and Wi-Fi products linefit installed.

“It is certainly a pleasure to fly on our aircraft, but it must also be productive time. Your office needs to go with you and an integral part of that is being able to stay in touch, both by phone and e-mail, as if you were on the ground,” said Captain Abakar Manany, Amjet Executive SA Chairman. “We selected OnAir because it is the only company that can provide both GSM and Wi-Fi connectivity for business jets, everywhere in the world.”

Mobile and WiFi OnAir enables business jet passengers to use their mobile devices exactly as on the ground. It works in the same way as international roaming: simply turn on your phone and start using it. All charges are included in the user’s standard mobile phone bill, making the payment process both simple and transparent. Internet OnAir creates a Wi-Fi network in the aircraft, providing Internet access through any Wi-Fi-enabled device, including smartphones, tablets and laptops.

“Just five months after our linefit agreement with Dassault, we are now announcing the first delivery. It shows both the high level demand for inflight connectivity in the business jet market and that we deliver on our promises”, said Ian Dawkins, CEO of OnAir. “More than ever, given the economic climate, a business jet has to be a quantifiable business tool. Passengers must be able to work during the flight. For that to happen, they need to be able to use their mobile phones and laptops as if they were at their desks. That is what OnAir delivers.”

Connectivity on the ground or on air or on sea has become a natural communication feature. Commercial airlines are increasingly offering this service and the demand is growing phenomenally. SITA OnAir celebrated 2014 with 13 million people taking advantage of MobileOnAir which is on 15 airlines worldwide. The demand for mobile connectivity has never been higher, with over 80 per cent of passengers carrying smartphones. In 2014, mobile data was the most popular service, used by 65 per cent of the passengers who connected to OnAir’s onboard mobile network. Text messaging accounted for 31 per cent of usage and phone calls made up 21 per cent. Many passengers use MobileOnAir for all three activities, as people do on the ground.

Over the coming years, mobile data usage will continue to grow, driven by smartphone penetration. Voice also remains an important service, especially for business passengers. If commercial airlines are offering, business and corporate aviation certainly has to be ahead of this game. Staying connected, irrespective of the aircraft you are flying, is the way to go.