JetBlue Airways and ViaSat Inc. on Wednesday announced that the companies have signed a deal to install satellite broadband Internet and TV service, using ViaSat’s satellite technology.
The companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding for the provision of in-flight broadband access and other services for customers on JetBlue’s fleet of more than 160 aircraft using ViaSat advanced Ka-band satellites.
ViaSat will provide antenna components and modems for installation on the airline’s Embraer E190 and Airbus A320 aircraft types along with two-way transmission bandwidth services.
“Rather than invest in current technology, designed to transmit broadcast video and audio, we elected to partner with ViaSat to create broadband functionality worthy of today’s interactive personal technology needs,” said Dave Barger, JetBlue’s Chief Executive Officer.
LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue, will install and lead the certification process of the new system. Because the product will be the first of its kind for commercial aviation, the system must be tested, and certificated by the Federal Aviation Administration, prior to installation fleet-wide.
