In a move to support demand for simultaneous access to apps for video-conferencing, VPN/cloud content access, email, HD streaming services, live TV and more, at all stages of flight, Viasat has eliminated speed limits delivered to the aircraft for all its Ka-band service plans for business aviation. The same service plans now also offer double the minimum committed internet speed to the aircraft.
Ka-band customers can also subscribe to Viasat Unlimited Streaming, which gives access to online media services without impacting monthly data allowances.
“Over the last few years, business aviation service plans have evolved to include bigger data allowances and higher maximum information rates and committed information rates as service providers react to ever-increasing data requirements,” said Craig Foster of Valour Consultancy. “As we emerge from COVID-19, these requirements will go up another notch with corporations transporting more of their employees through so-called health corridors and passengers having become more accustomed to using bandwidth-intensive applications like video-telephony and subscription-based streaming services during lockdown. Viasat’s decision to remove speed caps entirely means that it will be poised to support the increase in demand and an overall improved passenger experience.”
Viasat says the new Ka-band service plans offer uncapped speeds made possible by a high-capacity satellite network combined with compact and lightweight hardware. As a result of Viasat’s recent Ka-band speed tests, customers have seen 40Mbps and higher across the new service plans, allowing passengers to access more data at higher speeds across more devices.
“Today’s offering delivers a completely new and premium inflight experience made possible by Viasat’s innovative technology,” said Claudio D’Amico, business area director, business aviation, Viasat. “We believe this key differentiator is expected to dramatically change the onboard connectivity experience for Viasat’s business aviation Ka-band customers. By removing speed limits, we are creating a home-like connectivity experience for mid-cabin to large- and long-range business jets.”
The Viasat Ka-band business aviation connectivity solution uses Viasat’s Global Aero Terminal 5510, which taps into the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2 and European Ka-band satellite platform, and is expected to be forward-compatible with Viasat’s next-generation satellite systems. Forward-compatibility allows customers to install the Viasat shipset and subscribe to a Viasat service package today, with assurances that they can access additional satellite capacity, including larger data volumes and expanded coverage once Viasat launches its ViaSat-3 satellite constellation.
