OneWeb, a global communications network powered from space, and SatixFy UK, a multibeam antenna and terminal design specialist, have signed an agreement to develop a new in-flight connectivity terminal that will work over the OneWeb network as well as on Geostationary satellite networks. SatixFy UK formed a joint venture with Singapore Technology Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), called JetTalk, in 2018 to exclusively commercialise the IFC terminal for the commercial and business aviation markets.

The agreement reaffirms OneWeb's ambitions in the global aerospace arena as it sets out its roadmap to support commercial, regional, business and government aviation users.

The IFC terminal will unleash the power of OneWeb's Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation and deliver a 'home-equivalent' inflight broadband experience, while also allowing operators to complement their legacy GEO service. The product is based on SatixFy's Electronically Steered Multibeam Antenna (ESMA) technology, developed together with JetTalk and provides multibeam capability while operating simultaneously on multiple LEO and GEO satellites.

Well positioned to bring ESMA technology to the market earlier than originally anticipated, SatixFy has recently completed the development of Tx tile of 576 elements and Rx tile of 1024 elements, that can be used as building blocks for the planned terminal. The tiles, which have been co-developed together with JetTalk, have completed initial testing and are currently being implemented inside a terminal product. The OneWeb IFC terminal will integrate the OneWeb modem as well as a GEO network one, inside the terminal.

OneWeb is confident of its suitability for all aviation applications, including commercial, regional, business and government aviation use-cases. Ben Griffin, VP mobility at OneWeb, says: “OneWeb is creating IFC solutions that offer a significant increase in the whole passenger travelling experience. This agreement with SatixFy represents a major milestone for OneWeb Aviation, as we plot our path to facilitating onboard connectivity global, on commercial airliners and corporate jets, large and small.”

“The ability to deploy multibeam, multi-satellite, multi-orbit IFC terminals is key in SatixFy's offering, developed in partnership with ST Engineering through our joint venture JetTalk,” adds Yoel Gat, SatixFy's CEO. “Aggregating capacity from multiple satellites will give customers the grade of service they expect on flights.”