Press release
The European Aviation Network (EAN) has taken to the skies.
Inmarsat and Deutsche Telekom, together with their technology
partners Nokia and Thales have successfully conducted a programme
of test flights in the UK.
This is a major milestone in the development of EAN, the world's
first integrated satellite and air-to-ground network dedicated to
providing a true in-flight broadband experience for the European
aviation industry and for millions of passengers travelling across
Europe.
EAN is planned for introduction in mid-2017. The flights serve
to test the performance of the EAN system including the onboard
equipment being provided by Thales and the ground network provided
by Deutsche Telekom and Nokia.
As a precursor to the test flight series, Deutsche Telekom and
Nokia jointly achieved the first EAN live over-the-air connection,
in Nokia's Stuttgart laboratory. There, all components of the LTE
ground network were thoroughly tested and validated. The first live
connection in the field was accomplished in a broadband video
conference with both parties connected via the dedicated EAN LTE
mobile network.
"We are happy that we achieved a major milestone in building the
European Aviation Network. With these successful tests we once more
underline our goal to be the leading European telecommunications
operator," says Claudia Nemat, Board Member Europe and
Technology at Deutsche Telekom. "The EAN allows us to
offer our customers outstanding connectivity services not only on
the ground but also in the sky. The new technology based on LTE
standard makes sure that EAN is flexible for any further technology
developments in the future. Deutsche Telekom's aim is to drive
technology leadership to bring best network experience to our
customers."
Leo Mondale, President of Aviation, Inmarsat
said: "EAN is progressing extremely well, both on the ground as
well as in the air, to achieve the world's first integrated service
providing true in-flight broadband experience. The actual
performance and quality of the in-flight datalink exceeds design
expectations and is truly game changing for European
airlines. We look forward to further successful testing
milestones working with all the EAN partners to bring together this
integrated system."
Thorsten Robrecht, Vice President, Advanced Mobile
Networks Solutions at Nokia says "Nokia is extremely
excited to be a pillar of the European Aviation Network project. As
a global leader in communications technology, we are looking
forward to the close cooperation of these distinguished partners to
transform the passenger experience and deliver new services with
advanced in-flight connectivity."
"We are very proud of our employees who have helped make the
first flight trial a huge success and look forward to working with
our partners to bring high-speed broadband to passengers and
operators across Europe," says Stephen McCann, Vice
President, Avionics at Thales.
Innovation in the skies, from the ground up
To achieve EAN's live connection of the LTE ground network,
Deutsche Telekom and Nokia have adapted Nokia's LTE base stations
and Remote Radio Heads (RRH) to the frequency used for EAN,
provided by Inmarsat, and build a specific base station antenna to
cover the sky. The LTE ground network for EAN differs from "normal"
LTE networks as it needs to work at speeds of up to 1,200 km/h, at
cruising altitudes requiring cells of up to 150 km. Nokia will
manage the operations for this advanced network from its global
delivery centre in Romania. In addition to the live network,
Nokia and Deutsche Telekom set up a full end-to-end ground network
reference system in Stuttgart, Germany, including all components
and integrated on-board equipment from partner Thales, to prepare
for technical challenges, for example compensation of the Doppler
effect due to high aircraft speeds.
The flight trial tested the performance of the onboard equipment
being provided by Thales and the ground network provided by
Deutsche Telekom and Nokia. Tests were performed to see if the
network could successfully attach to the ground system, which it
did at all four test sites located in the south west of the UK.
The systems performed multiple successful handovers between
sectors and cell towers, and maintained a stable connection. The
transfer of data to and from the aircraft was also tested. The
outcomes have exceeded expectations for this early flight trial and
provided valuable data for the development teams.
Notes to Editors
- Photos: European Aviation Network test flight
- Video: The first EAN test flight in the UK
Europe, we've got you covered
The European Aviation Network (EAN) is an innovative integrated
S-band satellite and complementary LTE-based terrestrial network
across Europe that will bring unprecedented passenger connectivity
to the aviation industry. It is unique in the capacity and
quality of broadband internet service it brings to the dense
European aviation routes; in a very small and lightweight form
factor that typical broadband satellite based solutions cannot
offer. Since the initial announcement of EAN in September 2015,
Deutsche Telekom and Nokia have made steady progress and are on
track to deliver the ground component of the project, with the
on-schedule rollout of the approximately 300 antenna sites and
connecting the network live over-the-air. In parallel, Inmarsat and
Thales are advancing with implementing the satellite communication
for EAN, having completed construction and associated sub-system
tests of the satellite earlier this year. With the test flight
program now underway, the EAN will be introduced in mid-2017.
About Deutsche Telekom
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About Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite
communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing
reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments,
enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that
can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat operates in
more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the
major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is
listed on the London Stock Exchange (ISAT.L). For more information,
please visit www.inmarsat.com.
The Inmarsat press release newsfeed and corporate updates are on
@InmarsatGlobal.
About Nokia
Nokia is a global leader in creating the technologies at the
heart of our connected world. Powered by the research and
innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we serve communications service
providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the
industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products,
services and licensing.
From the enabling infrastructure for 5G and the Internet of
Things, to emerging applications in virtual reality and digital
health, we are shaping the future of technology to transform the
human experience. www.nokia.com
Media Enquiries:
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Communications
Phone: +358 10 448 4900
Email: press.services@nokia.com
About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace,
Transport, Defence and Security markets. With 62,000 employees in
56 countries, Thales reported sales of €14 billion in 2015. With
over 22,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique
capability to design and deploy equipment, systems and services to
meet the most complex security requirements. Its exceptional
international footprint allows it to work closely with its
customers all over the world. www.thalesgroup.com
Media Enquiries:
Adrian Rondel
Phone: +44 79 710 414 052
Email: Adrian.rondel@uk.thalesgroup.com
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