Air-to-Ground In-flight connectivity services provider SkyFive and FTI have teamed up to deliver a software-defined network service that can integrate several in-flight connectivity systems such as Air to Ground (A2G) networks, satellite services and public and private 4G/5G airport networks.
SkyFive says the service steers data flows based on their individual performance, availability and cost per bit requirements. For bulk passenger data, it could rely on A2G coverage in dense continental airspaces and switch to a satellite service on oceanic routes and for mission-critical traffic, it could leverage several systems in parallel to achieve an extremely high degree of reliability.
According to SkyFive, cloud-based management and automation allows for quick reconfiguration of the network service for new applications, without having to touch the aircraft. Onboard, the fully virtualised software runs on servers of various kinds, such that broadband Internet can also be added to existing IFEC systems. The new network service allows airlines to bring the fleet online in an agile, future-proof, and cost-efficient manner, and create new value with broadband connectivity in the cabin and beyond.
Dr. Michael Ohm, CTO of SkyFive commented: “Following our open standards-based A2G solution, we continue pushing scalable, flexible, and cost-efficient architectures and technologies from the IT and telecommunications industry towards the aviation sector. This new software-defined network service will assure that airlines receive the highest data throughput and lowest cost per bit also in hybrid configurations of A2G and satellite systems.”
