Solutions provider SKYTRAC is to expand on its partnership with GigSky to offer global cellular data coverage in over 200 countries to deliver mission-critical mobile data to the aviation industry.
The partnership, originally ratified in September 2019, enables global 4G/LTE cellular network access for use with SKYTRAC’s Dynamic Air Link 200 (DAL-200) wireless communications and data download solution.
SKYTRAC now offers helicopter operators the ability to access the GigSky Enterprise Manager (GEM) application to enable intelligent connectivity solutions. The cellular data service can be used by tablet devices to support Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) connectivity capabilities including accessing flight plans, weather reports, eTechLogs, and charting map updates. It also connects cabin crew and ground personnel, while simplifying accounting processes for operators by providing one invoice within the centralised GEM for easy management of and provision of data.
Ruben Stepin, Director of GADSS and Airline Business Development for SKYTRAC called it a “significant development” explaining “instead of operators utilising and expensing personal or local SIM cards, an organisation can now manage all their SIMs from one location, using one supplier and one giant pool of data for seamless global data connectivity.”
SKYTRAC offers regional, global or country-based plans allowing cellular connectivity with uninterrupted access to data across international borders, without “burdensome” roaming overages.
Enterprise SIM cards will be provided with the purchase of data plans, which the company said empowers aerospace organisations to roam globally without the need for complicated contract-negotiations. Operators will also have the option to enable data sharing for their fleet, allowing high-use aircraft to utilise a greater share of data as required.
The service also optimises network speeds by auto-selecting the best performing national mobile network operator (MNO).
