French telecommunications equipment company Alcatel-Lucent has signed an agreement with Deutsche Telekom to deliver long-term evolution (LTE) ground network for high-speed internet on short-haul European flights.
The new service will enable passengers to access high-speed internet on Wi-Fi-enabled mobile devices.
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It is also expected to help airlines offer innovative, consumer-led data services to passengers.
Under the agreement, Alcatel-Lucent will provide LTE technology for German communication company Deutsche Telekom’s European ground network.
The system will complement Inmarsat’s S-band satellite services at base stations on the ground.
Considered to be the world’s first LTE ground network that communicates with aeroplanes and provides satellite services, the system will offer fast, reliable in-air internet access.
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By GlobalDataAlcatel-Lucent Germany CEO and Deutsche Telekom sales account at Alcatel-Lucent head Wilhelm Dresselhaus said: "For years, flying has been a communications black-out leaving both business and personal travellers alike feeling out of touch when in the air.
"We are proud to be an integral technology provider for Deutsche Telekom’s LTE-based ground network effort by adapting our LTE RAN solution to the Inmarsat S-band spectrum.
"Together, we are able to provide travellers in Europe with high-speed data connectivity in the air."
A partnership between Inmarsat and Deutsche, Telekom European Aviation Network (EAN) that provides high-speed broadband solutions to European sky and ground units will use Alcatel-Lucent’s RAN technology and the IP mobile core for the new system.
It will be tested by Lufthansa in 2017. Up to now, the German airline offers wireless internet only on long-haul flights.
Currently, around 52 airlines offer in-flight Wi-Fi on most of the regions worldwide.
The new Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom network will start operating once the aircraft reaches an altitude of around 3km.
