...Panasonic secured additional Ku-band capacity on AsiaSat 5 to support its Global Communications Service. This new capacity, which significantly enhances the existing coverage and capacity on AsiaSat 5 that Panasonic announced in September of 2011, helps ensure the best possible in-flight connectivity service for aircraft flying routes over the Middle East and India.

“The Middle East and India are two extremely strategic markets for Panasonic and our Global Communications Service, and we are very excited to have secured even more transponder space on AsiaSat 5,” said David Bruner, Vice President of Panasonic Avionics Corporation’s Global Communications Service. “As we continue to equip more and more aircraft that fly routes over these key, very high traffic markets, we will add the capacity and coverage necessary to ensure the industry’s highest bandwidth at the lowest possible price.”

Panasonic’s Global Communications Service includes eXConnect, eXPhone and eXTV. 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. eXPhone, offered in collaboration with AeroMobile's award winning in-flight mobile phone technology means that at 35,000 ft, 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, and browse and use their applications throughout the flight. Customers simply turn on their device—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 provides live, uninterrupted content to aircraft flying all over the world, even over oceans. The service offers several global channels as well as regional channels.

“We are very pleased that Panasonic Avionics Corporation has expanded its use of capacity on AsiaSat 5 for its in-flight broadband services. AsiaSat 5’s high power and wide Ku beam coverage have proved to be highly efficient for supporting not only groundbased fixed and mobile systems but also for sophisticated in-flight communication and entertainment,” said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.