Airbus' new terminal includes 5G solution ensuring gate-to-gate connectivity

Airbus HBCplus disrupts traditional models by offering Safran Passenger Innovations-provided Ka- and Ku-band terminals as supplier-furnished equipment. This setup allows airlines to switch bandwidth suppliers without changing hardware. Initial deliveries will provide broadband Ka satellite-based onboard Internet for passengers with Emirates as the launch customer on its new A350s.

The Thales/Get SAT Ku-band dual-beam ESA is expected to be available for linefit in 2026. Intelsat and Panasonic Avionics will serve as managed service providers (MSPs), offering their respective Eutelsat OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and geostationary (GEO) satellite services.

Safran serves as systems integrator for both Ka VICTS antennas from ThinKom and Ku ESA hardware from Thales/Get SAT. Despite differences between mechanically steered phased arrays and electronically steered systems, both packages aim to facilitate operator switches between bands under HBCplus.

A radome-type solution was selected for interchangeability purposes. Asmar stated: "We figured that interchangeability was a much more attractive proposition than having a radome-less Ku solution."

Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO-specific aero modem configuration will be part of HBCplus. Both Ka- and Ku-sides will feature a Dual-Modem Modman in the E&E bay to support multi-orbit services from SES GEO/MEO or various configurations from Panasonic and Intelsat.

SpaceX Starlink could potentially join as an MSP under similar configurations used by Eutelsat OneWeb. Asmar noted: "That would be a great solution... The benefit of agnostic is you can switch between providers based on the available ones that are out there."

Boeing currently takes a different approach than Airbus but may eventually adopt similar strategies. Asmar emphasized that achieving agnostic connectivity requires partnerships with large-scale manufacturers like Airbus.

"For us," he added, "this has been a goal for SPI for about a decade... It really takes a partnership with someone like Airbus... Then it becomes a partnership that then supports what they want to achieve technically."

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- Undisclosed airline inks Airbus, SPI deal to take HBCplus kit as BFE

- Managed service pedigree drives Hughes IFC gains including at Airbus

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- Airbus successfully flight tests Get SAT antenna for HBCplus

- Eutelsat OneWeb to support inflight connectivity from September 2024

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- Gilat Satellite Networks details scope of aero work

- Airbus HBCplus could accelerate adoption of free Wi-Fi model: Safran

Featured image credited to Mary Kirby