PHOENIX, Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Honeywell Aerospace (NYSE: HON) and Inmarsat's GX Aviation program is one step closer to providing travelers with a home- and office-like wireless connectivity experience even at 30,000 feet by the year 2015. Inmarsat successfully launched the first of three satellites in the Global Xpress constellation network, the Inmarsat-5 F1. The constellation will deliver the world's first truly global, high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi, offering passengers, airlines and original equipment manufacturers consistent connectivity for commercial, military and business aircraft over land and sea.
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"Passengers want to stay connected online even when they are flying at 30,000 feet. They expect to have an experience that mimics the Internet in their home or office," said Jack Jacobs, vice president of Marketing & Product Management at Honeywell. "With the launch of Inmarsat's first satellite in the Global Xpress constellation, passengers and airlines will get exactly what they desire: faster in-flight Wi-Fi that provides everybody with the ability to shop, access email, connect with friends on social networking sites, and enjoy live streaming for entertainment with a consistent connection across oceans and regions."
"GX Aviation is changing the face of in-flight connectivity," said Miranda Mills, Inmarsat president, Aviation. "It will be the world's first global Ka-band network, specifically designed to provide connectivity to aircraft, and will enable a whole range of new services for both passengers and crew."
The F1 satellite will first cover the Indian Ocean region. The remaining satellites are expected to launch in the second and third quarters of 2014, providing global coverage by the end of 2014.
Passengers Demand Better In-Flight Wi-Fi
In September 2013, Honeywell released a survey of more than 3,000 global airline passengers that signaled a major shift in the definition of airplane passenger comfort and confirmed an increasing demand for global, transoceanic, fast and consistent in-flight wireless connectivity.
The survey showed:
- More than three in four fliers surveyed think wireless access should always be available on airplanes.
- Almost 90 percent of fliers would give up an amenity on their flight-preferred seats, extra legroom and more-to be guaranteed a faster and more consistent wireless connection.
Beyond passenger comfort, the Honeywell-developed avionics and hardware for GX Aviation will more effectively enable new services for aircraft operators and airlines, such as predictive maintenance and better aircraft communications that will take advantage of fast, consistent and global connectivity, essentially creating a truly "connected aircraft."
About Honeywell and Inmarsat
Honeywell and Inmarsat signed an agreement in 2012 to provide global in-flight connectivity services to business, commercial and government aviation customers around the world. Under the terms of the terminal agreement, Honeywell will exclusively develop, produce and distribute the onboard hardware that will enable users to connect to Inmarsat's Global Xpress constellation network.
Supporting Resources
- Read more about Honeywell's satellite communications experience
- Read more about Global Xpress and Ka-band technologies
- Follow @Honeywell_Aero on Twitter
- Read more about Honeywell Aerospace
- Visit Honeywell Facebook
- Subscribe to Honeywell's Corporate RSS feed
About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centers of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.
About Honeywell Aerospace
Thousands of Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft worldwide. The Aerospace business unit develops and integrates technologies that span air traffic modernization, flight and runway safety, engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, connectivity, logistics and more that deliver safe, efficient, productive and comfortable transportation-related experiences. For more information, visit http://aerospace.honeywell.com or follow us at @honeywell_Aero on Twitter.
Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell's shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.
Honeywell and the Honeywell logo are the exclusive properties of Honeywell, are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and may be registered or pending registration in other countries. All other Honeywell product names, technology names, trademarks, service marks, and logos may be registered or pending registration in the U.S. or in other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyright 2013 Honeywell.
This release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management intends, expects, projects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results, developments and business decisions may differ from those envisaged by such forward-looking statements. We identify the principal risks and uncertainties that affect our performance in our Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
SOURCE Honeywell Aerospace
