Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has reported that Embraer is the first OEM to select Viasat’s high-speed, high-capacity Ka-band connectivity solution for that firm's Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 executive jets.
Viasat will be the Ka-band broadband satellite connectivity provider on the Legacy 450 and Legacy 500 airframes. Aircraft will be equipped with Viasat’s Global Aero Terminal 5510, which will tap into the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2 and European Ka-band satellite platforms today, and will be forward-compatible with Viasat’s future-generation satellite constellation, ViaSat-3 — enabling use of the ViaSat-3 capacity with no additional hardware upgrades.
ViaSat-3 is an ultra-high capacity satellite platform, which will be comprised of three ViaSat-3 class satellites offering global coverage. Each ViaSat-3 satellite is expected to deliver one terabit per second capacity, which is more than the total network capacity of the approximately 400 commercial communications satellites in space today — combined.
Viasat's Global Aero Terminal 5510.
The Embraer/Viasat partnership also marks the first Ka-band satellite broadband connectivity line-fit selection for a medium cabin business jet. This enables Embraer’s customers to have immediate access to Viasat’s connectivity system directly from the factory. Initial speeds offered are expected to be 16 Mbps; Viasat expects those speeds to increase as it brings more capacity online. In addition, Viasat will offer a live TV streaming feature, which will give passengers the ability to watch live TV, content and entertainment on their portable electronic devices.
Viasat’s Global Aero Terminal 5510 is a highly-suitable connectivity solution for medium cabin executive jets due to being the most compact business aviation internet system on the market. Its smaller size provides key advantages: it does not require space in the luggage compartment, and can be installed in the non-pressurized areas of the aircraft; it lowers overall installed system weight compared to many competing offerings, which can potentially offer fuel savings; and finally, its size and shape enables Viasat to include two antennas to be installed together in the tail, providing a strong back-up communications network (via Viasat’s global Ku-band coverage) – so executive jet passengers can virtually be connected anywhere they fly.
Luciano Froes,SVP, Marketing, Embraer Executive Jets, stated the company is adding true value to customers' experience through the adoption of innovative technologies.
Jerry Goodwin, VP, Network Services, Viasat added that Embraer has a vision that strongly aligns with Viasat: to enable Embraer aircraft to have an excellent connectivity experience, exceeding what is available in the market today for any class of business jet. Viasat's capacity-rich satellites are proven to deliver superior internet connections during all phases of flight, ensuring business jet owners can be as productive in the air, as they are in their offices and homes.