European Aviation Network (EAN) is airborne!
(Thomson Reuters ONE) -
Press release
* Ground-breaking broadband solution for airline passengers integrates
satellite and LTE-based terrestrial network for superior performance
* Key milestones achieved for project, as test flight is successfully
conducted in UK and live over-the-air connection achieved in Germany
* Construction of S-band satellite and rollout of approximately 300 LTE sites
across Europe remains on track
28 November 2016
Bonn, Germany, London, UK, Espoo, Finland - 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
https://www.telekom.com/companyprofile
Media Enquiries:
Deutsche Telekom AG
Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 228 181 4949
Email: media(at)telekom.de
Further information for the media at:
www.telekom.com/media
www.telekom.com/photos
www.twitter.com/telekom_group
www.instagram.com/deutschetelekom
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
(at)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:
Nokia
Communications
Phone: +358 10 448 4900
Email: press.services(at)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(at)uk.thalesgroup.com
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Source: NOKIA via GlobeNewswire
Unternehmensinformation / Kurzprofil:
Datum: 28.11.2016 - 09:00 Uhr
Sprache: Deutsch
News-ID 509302
Anzahl Zeichen: 10279
contact information:
Town:
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Kategorie:
Business News
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"European Aviation Network (EAN) is airborne!"
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