Inmarsat in talks with British Airways over internet coverage deal
Satellite operator Inmarsat is in talks with British Airways to deliver faster in-flight internet coverage for passengers.
Inmarsat said its new aviation network would use a combination of satellite and mobile phone towers on the ground to ensure unbroken and faster broadband coverage to passengers on their smartphones, tablets or seat-back screens.
It will spend £120million on a new S-band Europasat satellite for launch in late 2016 with a network of 300 towers likely to cost around $250million (£148million).
The new satellite will provide coverage to all 28 European Union countries and the company is also talking to a number of European carriers.
Inmarsat boss Rupert Pearce said: “North America has seen rapid take-up of in-flight connectivity with installation and usage both growing very quickly. We believe the same opportunity exists in Europe.”
Kate Thornton, head of product and service at BA, said: “This will give our customers the internet access they expect on the ground while in the air.” Pricing will be decided by the airlines with passengers set to be charged per flight or monthly if frequent flyers.
