The new Inmarsat service offers significantly enhanced streaming IP data rates for SwiftBroadband, delivering a step-change in performance for customers requiring higher data throughput.
Building on the hugely successful SwiftBroadband service, which was launched in 2007, and SwitfBroadband’s X-Stream enhancement introduced in 2010, SwiftBroadband HDR supports four new streaming rates, including asymmetric services to allow users to access the service configuration that most precisely meets their needs. Customers benefit from the higher rate communications either to or from their aircraft, or bi-directionally, depending on their application requirements and purchase only the bandwidth they need.
SwiftBroadband HDR completes performance testing during October and it is expected to be commercially available in November 2013. Offering full channel streaming at an expected rate of up to 650kbps, the first aircraft system available will be the Honeywell HSD400i while other Honeywell terminals will be able to access the service through a software upgrade. Manufacturers such as Cobham also plan to launch SwiftBroadband HDR compatible terminals in the future.
“The introduction of SwiftBroadband HDR brings huge benefits to Inmarsat’s Business Aviation customers across the world that require higher throughput bandwidth to their aircraft,” said Miranda Mills, President Inmarsat Aviation. “SwiftBroadband HDR, like SwiftBroadband itself, is available globally via our Inmarsat-4 satellite network, offering a reliable, high quality service, now with even higher performance. SwiftBroadband HDR is the first of a series of exciting enhancements to SwiftBroadband that are being introduced following the recent rollout of our latest network upgrade. Over the near term, you will see enhancements as diverse as SwiftBroadband for helicopters and ICAO approved Safety Services using SwiftBroadband.”
Inmarsat will be exhibiting at stand N5111 at the NBAA Convention and Exhibition 2013.