Satellite communications and In-flight Connectivity (IFC) specialist Viasat has announced its next-generation solution for commercial aviation, Viasat Amara. Powering the new IFC solution are innovations in core satellite network design, hardware advancements, and a suite of digital products. Coupled with additional features, including smart network enhancements and application-level data linking to satellites in multiple orbits, Viasat Amara is designed with powerful scalability so airlines can differentiate a future-proof onboard passenger experience.

“Viasat Amara goes far beyond fast and free high-speed Wi-Fi,” said Don Buchman, SVP & GM, Global Commercial Aviation, Viasat. “It’s a cutting-edge solution designed to meet the unique needs of each airline and every individual user – and in real-time across a smart multi-orbit network. Our pioneering mission remains to help our airline customers maximize connectivity’s enormous potential for brand, loyalty, and growth.”

Building on the company’s market position, Viasat Amara combines proven technology and capabilities with an innovation roadmap that integrates multi-network, multi-orbit systems with guaranteed quality of service, flexible business models, and a suite of best-in-class digital products.
Viasat Amara offers optimised, multi-network connectivity today via a simple software upgrade with Viasat’s proven terminal, which is deployed on more than 3,000* aircraft around the world servicing approximately 10,000 flights per day. No additional hardware is required.

As part of its forward-looking terminal roadmap, Viasat is also announcing a proprietary electronically steered antenna (ESA) terminal, Viasat Aera. This will unlock simultaneous, dual-beam connections across satellites in GEO, HEO, and LEO, enabling a best-in-class IFC experience to airlines and their passengers with a single antenna. The new terminal is under development and is devised to dynamically adapt connectivity in a way that capitalises on the strengths of all available transmission assets, delivering a streamlined experience for each application in use across the global network.

Expected for commercial service in 2028, upgrading to the new Viasat Aera terminal is designed to be achieved in less than a day by re-using the ARINC 791 antenna attach points with no change to the in-cabin network.

On Viasat Amara’s roadmap are innovations that unlock opportunities in every orbit, with GEO, HEO, and LEO satellite compatibility, by integrating a robust, high-capacity ecosystem of Viasat and partner satellites. This includes the recently-announced LEO Ka-band capacity from Telesat Lightspeed.

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Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: Amara, IFC, in-flight connectivity, Viasat