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| ViaSat Ka-band gateway. Photo: ViaSat |
[Avionics Today 04-18-2016] The FAA has provided Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for ViaSat to install its Ka-band satellite antenna and radome on Airbus A320 aircraft. The certification, coupled with ViaSat’s in-cabin distribution STC, enables airlines to deploy ViaSat’s In-Flight Connnectivity (IFC) system end-to-end.
“Reaching this milestone is significant as it sets a high bar for how to build and install a best in-flight Internet service for global coverage,” said Don Buchman, vice president and general manager of commercial mobility at ViaSat. “We now have FAA approval for our radome, antenna and in-flight cabin system, which gives airlines and passengers access to the real Internet, not cached content.”
ViaSat’s high-capacity Ka-band in-flight Internet service is deployed on nearly 500 commercial planes in the U.S. and claims to deliver 12 to 20 Mbps to each connected device while in flight.