SkyFive announced a new triple-path inflight connectivity service, which integrates three networks to achieve high capacity, ubiquitous coverage, and minimal size and weight of the airborne equipment. The service will first be validated on a smaller aircraft.
For the first time ever, the new service integrates a broadband Air-to-Ground (A2G) network from SkyFive, a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) from EchoStar Mobile, and a terrestrial 4G/5G network. This enables triple-path communication across multiple distinct data links. The NTN component will be upgradable to 5G New Radio (5GNR), featuring full interoperability between satellites and user terminals from different vendors, based on open 3GPP standards.
Alongside the new network, Diehl Aviation and SkyFive are collaborating on a new airborne terminal that extends the existing offering to smaller aircraft. The centerpiece is Diehl’s High Performance Controller (HPC), an ultra-compact, all-in-one Line-Replaceable Unit that supports all the mentioned networks. Sequans provides the highly integrated chipset for the A2G modem, which implements the patented SkyFive algorithms. EchoStar Mobile delivers the NTN modem and corresponding satellite service.
The network will initially be used for testing triple-path communications across A2G, NTN, and terrestrial 4G/5G networks to provide fast yet affordable Internet access for passengers and enable new use cases for operational communications, which require high reliability and link redundancy. Another objective is to make inflight connectivity more accessible for smaller aircraft, including business jets, by considerably reducing the size, weight, and power consumption of the airborne equipment.
