Inmarsat Technology brings high speed data access to air travellers

Swift 64 is a technology that allows Mobile ISDN or Mobile Packet Data connection to airlines by using the existing antenna on 80% of modern wide body long haul jets.

"Swift 64 brings to reality the vision of the In-Flight Entertainment industry that needed broadband communication capabilities," said Samer Halawi, regional director of Inmarsat.

" The prospect of taking the communications, entertainment, and IT capabilities to the aircraft seat has generated a number of spectacular plans involving multi-billion dollar satellite systems."

The Inmarsat Swift64 platform utilizes aircraft communications infrastructure to provide fast email and Internet access, video conferencing facilities and file transfer capability to aircraft passengers. "Swift 64 offers clear cost benefits to airlines because it utilizes existing aircraft antennas and satellite communication avionics to the maximum extents," explained Issa Odtallah, technical specialist at Inmarsat. Some of the proposed new broadband solutions required airlines to completely re-equip their fleets with new antennas and new communications systems.

"The rationale behind Swift64 is that it is an evolution not a revolution and can utilize the existing antenna already onboard the majority of modern long haul jets," explained Halawi.

Inmarsat has an established global system and customer base that is being expanded to provide the higher data rates in an evolutionary way that gives the scope for new applications to be tried and tested with minimum risk. "Swift 64 is a communications solution that brings to the region's airline industry a competitive edge that leverages the fast, reliable and cost effective communication needs," ended Halawi.
-ENDS-