[SatNews] SES (NYSE Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) have a multi-year, multi-transponder satellite capacity and infrastructure deal to connect airline passengers on trans-Atlantic flights with Row 44’s inflight connectivity and entertainment services.

Row 44 is a subsidiary of Global Eagle Entertainment (Nasdaq: ENT) and a leading provider of satellite-based inflight WiFi and device-based entertainment for airlines around the world. As part of the agreement, Hughes is providing critical ground transport infrastructure and SES is delivering Ku-band capacity aboard its SES-6 satellite plus teleport support from Betzdorf, Luxembourg to enable seamless and reliable coverage over the North Atlantic.

“Through this agreement, we have significantly expanded our satellite capacity to meet the growing demand from airline passengers for seamless broadband connectivity and entertainment content in the sky,” said John LaValle, Chief Executive Officer for Global Eagle Entertainment. “This agreement ensures that we have the ground and satellite system expertise and technology in place to continue to deliver the world’s most widely deployed satellite-based in-flight WiFi service.”

“Hughes is committed to delivering advanced broadband technology and services as Row 44 continues to launch new inflight solutions designed to serve more and more airline passengers around the world,” noted Paul Gaske, Executive Vice President and General Manager, North America, Hughes. “Commercial airliners equipped with Row 44 in-flight WiFi and entertainment solutions are certainly leading the way to meeting passenger demand for connectivity anywhere.”

“Row 44 is a true innovator of inflight communications and entertainment solutions that keep airline passengers connected and tuned in at 30,000 feet,” said John Matlaga, Vice President of Mobility Solutions for SES in North America. “Together with Hughes, SES is committed to the exciting mobility market, enabling the delivery of high-speed broadband, live television and compelling programming lineups, as part of this exciting new frontier.”

“SES is investing in the development and delivery of satellites and satellite beams designed to meet the fast-growing demand for mobility services across the Americas region and around the world,” added Elias Zaccack, Senior Vice President of the Americas region for SES. “The SES-Hughes partnership is aimed squarely at putting high-powered connectivity where it’s needed on the go.”

Both Hughes and global satellite operator SES are well positioned to enable Row 44 to further expand its popular inflight broadband and entertainment services around the world.

Additionally, Panasonic Avionics Corporation has signed a major satellite capacity agreement with SES to connect passengers aboard trans-Atlantic flights.

As part of the multi-year, multi-transponder deal, Panasonic will use the newly-launched SES-6 satellite and its high-powered Ku-band mobility beams over the Atlantic Ocean to deliver a complete entertainment and communications package to keep air travellers in touch in the sky. The SES capacity will support Panasonic’s Global Communications Service, which provides passengers and crew with two-way broadband applications ranging from high-speed internet access, voice, and live TV, to the ability for the airline to monitor real-time operational data aboard the plane. Panasonic has begun its expanded trans-Atlantic inflight offerings with the initiation of service aboard the SES-6 satellite.

“Panasonic’s global inflight connectivity service is unique, because of our ability, both technically and financially, to scale coverage and capacity anywhere in the world where our customers fly,” said David Bruner, Vice President of Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s Global Communications Service. “This new agreement between SES and Panasonic Avionics is an important step toward meeting the fast-growing demand for inflight entertainment and communications services over key trans-Atlantic routes and beyond.”