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Viasat has announced that it currently has "no firm plans" to support ViaSat-3 aero service for Global Xpress (GX) inflight connectivity installations that use Safran Passenger Innovations’ next-generation GX terminal based on ThinKom Solutions’ Ka2517 VICTS antenna. This decision comes as interoperability becomes available across its Ka-band satellite fleet.
If Viasat maintains this strategy and the ViaSat-3 program proves successful, the company's GM-40 gimbaled antenna or a next-generation successor, along with Viasat’s forthcoming Dual-Modem Modman for GX interoperability, could become the preferred option for airlines seeking to utilize both GX and ViaSat-3 capacity. This might incentivize some airlines to favor post-delivery retrofit modifications over Airbus' supplier-furnished linefit HBCplus program, where Viasat is a Ka-band managed service provider with GX service. Airbus has stated it has no intention of updating its IFC buyer-furnished equipment catalog.
Some of Viasat's new customers are already being prepared for full interoperability, including forward compatibility with ViaSat-3. Royal Jordanian Airlines is one such example, bringing Viasat connectivity to over 40 aircraft. “Service on Royal Jordanian will be enabled for the entire VS-1 (including KaSat over Europe), -2, -3 class network and GX networks as those satellites are made available and will support RJ’s in-flight connectivity mission today and into the future,” Viasat revealed in February.
