The deal will see Intelsat access Gilat’s SkyEdge IV Taurus modems which are designed for IFC to provide WiFi internet and IPTV for passengers on commercial airlines, regional aircraft and business jets.
The platform is backwards compatible and was launched by Gilat earlier this month.
It is described as a scalable, next-generation software-centric SATCOM ground system that has been optimised for multi-orbit constellations and very high throughput satellites.
“Giving our customers the ability to provide air travellers the ultimate in-flight online experience is very important to us here at Intelsat,” said Dave Bijur, senior vice president of Commercial Aviation at Intelsat.
“That’s why we continue to work with Gilat and are embracing their Taurus aero modem solution as a key element in our IFC offering.”
Bijur adds that the company is ready to capture a larger share of the “resurgent” IFC market.
Additionally, Gilat offers its Elastix Access Scheme which enables high availability and “superior” operational efficiencies using adaptive transmission technologies to support IFC solutions using Taurus modems on different types of aircraft but using the same network.
Amir Yafe, VP of mobility and global accounts at Gilat said: "It is precisely these passenger needs that are supported by SkyEdge IV Taurus, which enables delivery of reliable, high-performance connectivity solutions to air travellers.
“At this time, when the global IFC market is poised to rebound, more and more travellers will be relying on Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated IFC satellite networks.”
