[SatNews] The new contract will bring inflight TV, mobile phone service and more...

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain today announced that it has selected Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s (Panasonic) Global Communications Suite for worldwide in-flight broadband connectivity, mobile phone service and live television programming. Once the final terms are agreed upon, Panasonic will install its broadband Ku- solution eXConnect, eXPhone and the eXTV live television network across the entire Gulf Air Fleet. The retrofitting will be implemented progressively across the airline’s fleet, starting in September 2011 and will take two years to complete. Passengers will be able to enjoy an avant-garde, cutting-edge experience onboard in a fully integrated broadband connectivity that offers high speed internet, 3G-4G mobile data speed connectivity, voice over the internet (VOIP), streaming videos and the world's first in-flight live TV satellite stream across continents.

Soon, business passengers will be able to enjoy unlimited virtual private network (VPN), stay fully connected while watching live-news and stock market updates; sports fans can watch their favourite football and other matches in real-time through the world's first in-flight live TV satellite streaming across continents while chatting with their friends. Panasonic’s eXConnect provides two-way broadband connectivity supporting a wide range of passenger and crew applications, including Internet access, voice, data, and the ability to monitor and transmit airline operational data in real time at speeds of up to 50 Mbps to the aircraft.

The company’s eXPhone, offered in collaboration with AeroMobile’s in-flight mobile phone technology, means that at 20,000 feet, passengers can stay in touch with loved ones, keep up to date and on top of work just as if they were on the ground. In an increasingly connected world, eXPhone allows passengers to use their mobile, Smartphone or BlackBerry to call, text, email, browse and use their applications throughout the flight. With nothing to do for customers except for turning on their devices, eXPhone mobile data also works with GSM-enabled tablets and laptops.

Panasonic’s eXTV television network delivers high-quality, television programming to passengers during their flight. It will provide live, uninterrupted content to aircraft flying all over the world, even over oceans. The service will offer several global channels as well as regional channels.