IFE provider Panasonic Avionics Corporation has announced the addition of new and expanded GEO (geostationary) Ku-band satellite capacity that delivers higher-speed in-flight internet connections for airlines and their passengers.

The  supplier  is adding new HTS (High Throughput Satellites) and XTS (Extreme Throughput Satellites) to its connectivity network that will enhance coverage over North, Central and South America, the North and South Atlantic Ocean, Europe, the Middle East, Arabian Sea, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. It is also expanding its current capabilities by introducing additional HTS capacity over China and Japan, building on existing connectivity investments in this region.

This expansion represents a 50% capacity increase with higher speeds and a broadened reach.

John Wade, Vice President of Panasonic Avionics’ In-flight Connectivity Business Unit, said: “For the past few years, we have seen exponential growth in the adoption of in-flight connectivity. Passengers want faster internet speeds for traditional services like email, web browsing, social media and messaging, and they are increasingly looking to stream content, play games inflight, and use collaborative cloud-based applications. This major expansion of our global connectivity network will ensure that Panasonic Avionics consistently exceeds the growing demand for these kinds of enhanced in-flight experiences.

“Given our unique approach to satellite capacity, and with our multi-layered, multi-orbit connectivity network, Panasonic Avionics has the unique ability to leverage a wide range of different, industry leading satellites, rather than the high-risk approach of relying solely on proprietary satellite technology. This enables Panasonic Avionics to add new capacity quickly and easily when and where it’s needed, ensuring we can deliver an advanced and virtually uninterrupted service. The result is a better experience for passengers and higher Net Promoter Scores (NPS) for airlines.”