From
early summer 2016, Lufthansa will be the first network airline in Europe to
offer broadband on board its short and medium-haul flights. This will enable
passengers on continental flights and flights within Germany to enjoy the full
freedom to communicate and to use the Internet with a wide bandwidth above the
clouds. The first aircraft will be fitted with the new technology in early summer
2016.
Carsten
Spohr, Chairman of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, comments:
"Lufthansa has always been a pioneer of Internet services on board its
aircraft. Having equipped all planes in the Lufthansa intercontinental fleet
with our successful FlyNet® system, we are now continuing our success story by
providing Internet on board our short and medium-haul flights. We are therefore
the first airline in Europe able to offer its guests an Internet surfing
experience boasting the same quality and speed as they are used to at
home."
The
new service from Lufthansa and its technology partner Inmarsat is based on the
most modern broadband satellite technology from Inmarsat’s Global Xpress
network (Ka-band) and offers seamless, reliable coverage on short and
medium-haul flights. Inmarsat recently successfully launched the third
satellite in this global constellation and Lufthansa will be its first aviation
customer. The service will enable passengers to make the most of broadband
Internet access on their own mobile devices via a wireless network. They will
not only be able to use simple e-mail services, but also superior applications
and even streaming. On top of all this, passengers will also be able to use
their mobile phones to send and receive text messages and for the transfer of
data based on their own mobile phone contract. Telephone calls on board,
however, will still not be allowed due to customer preference.
Lufthansa
Technik will integrate all systems and components into the aircraft thanks to
its many years of experience in the field of plane modification. This work will
not only include installation activities, but also all tasks required in terms
of aviation and licensing law.
Lufthansa
Systems will provide the technical infrastructure needed to establish a
well-functioning Internet connection on board. This work will include tasks
such as setting up network operations in the aircraft, which is the main
technical requirement for a wireless network on board and providing the
software required for the operation of an Internet portal.
Lufthansa
Systems and Lufthansa Technik are additionally planning a long-term global
partnership in order to also be able to offer other airlines a modern on-board
IT platform (BoardConnect) with broadband Internet access that can be used for
a number of different purposes. Both the Lufthansa Group and future clients in
the third-party market will benefit from the additional services and lower
risks provided by this strong partnership.
With
regard to the future, Lufthansa is also committing to a flight trial programme
for a new hybrid network being developed for Europe. The European Aviation
Network combines an S-band satellite from Inmarsat with a complementary LTE
ground network being provided by Deutsche Telekom. This promising and
innovative technology offers potential in terms of costs and can be flexibly
adapted to suit the broadband transmission demands of the future. From 2017
onwards, Lufthansa will commence a flight trial program of the new technology.
Lufthansa
operated the world's first scheduled flight with broadband Internet access on
15th January 2003. Although it was increasing in popularity among passengers,
this technically reliable broadband Internet connection via a wireless network
had to be suspended in 2006 because the necessary satellites were no longer in
operation. Since December 2010, Lufthansa has again been the first airline to
offer broadband Internet access on its intercontinental flights. FlyNet® has
been available on all 106 long-haul aircraft in the Lufthansa fleet since the
beginning of this year. Lufthansa therefore boasts the world's largest
long-haul fleet with broadband Internet access.
