With the help of a new deal with Nelco, India’s top satellite communication service provider, Intelsat can now offer its in-flight Internet services over Indian skies. Nelco operates one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks and is the world’s most renowned carrier of inflight connectivity (IFC). Reliance Jio introduced in-flight mobile services on 22 international flights in 2020.
The fact that end-to-end broadband service will be available on local and foreign flights travelling to or from Indian airports as well as on aircraft flying over the nation is good news for Intelsat’s airline partners and travellers. Passengers on aeroplanes can connect seamlessly to the internet at home and at work thanks to Intelsat’s IFC service.
Additionally, it enables an airline to stand apart from the competition by enhancing the customer experience, encouraging customer loyalty, and improving flight operations. With the intention of expanding these services to new airlines in cooperation with its international partners, Nelco has been providing the Aero IFC services for more than two years.
IFC services by Nelco and Intelsat
- The IS-33e high capacity satellite from Intelsat will be used by Nelco to deliver these services.
- With the debut of IS-33e in 2016, regions of Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East now have access to C and Ku-band connectivity.
- India’s government has given the go-ahead for Intelsat’s IS-33e satellite, which will allow service to go on without any blackouts.
Availability
The service is now accessible to passengers flying on planes operated by airlines that are Intelsat partners.
Speaking on the announcement, Jeff Sare, president of Commercial Aviation at Intelsat said,
In addition to expanding our service coverage area for current customer airlines, our agreement with Nelco opens the possibility for Intelsat to serve India’s domestic airlines. This is a fast-growing airline market, and there is considerable untapped potential for IFC growth.
Commenting on the agreement, PJ Nath, managing director & CEO of NELCO, said,
We are proud that Nelco has forged this relationship with in-flight connectivity pioneer Intelsat to offer Aero IFC services on their customer aircraft. As India’s leading Satcom service provider offering best-in-class services, we are now creating a great opportunity through this relationship with Intelsat for further growth of our Aero IFC services in the country in the coming years – and we intend to be a leader in this market in India.