Viasat covers Brazil and Europe with IFC
October 7, 2021
By Chris Forrester
Geostationary satellite operator Viasat says it is now supplying Ka-band in-flight connectivity (IFC) across Brazil, which is the world’s third-largest Business Aviation market. The connectivity package includes capacity from London’s Avanti and its Hylas satellites to cover Europe and the MENA regions.
In Brazil, Viasat’s says its IFC system will leverage capacity on the Company’s Ka-band partner satellite, SGDC-1 (Geostationary Satellite for Defense and Strategic Communications), owned by Brazilian state-owned telecommunications services provider Telebras. Business aircraft operating in the country will be able to access Viasat’s advanced connectivity from takeoff to touchdown—at speeds typically greater than 20 Mbps—enabling passengers to do the same connected activities in the air as they do on the ground, including video, music and TV streaming, video calls, VPN and more.
Additionally, Viasat Business Aviation will soon provide expanded coverage and capacity across parts of Europe and the Middle East on the Avanti Communication Group’s HYLAS-4 and HYLAS-2 satellites.
“We’re excited to bring additional coverage for our advanced in-flight connectivity solution to the business aviation markets in Brazil and, in the near future, Europe and the Middle East,” said Claudio D’Amico, business area director, Business Aviation. “This coverage expansion will enable us to extend connectivity for existing operators, pursue new business in these important regions, and further establish Viasat’s market presence globally,” says Viasat.
Additionally, with the launch of its giant ViaSat-3 craft (due to launch in 2022), these services and capacity will be further boosted.