Melbourne, Florida | April 2, 2019– Today Satcom Direct (SD) announces the commercial service introduction of Intelsat FlexExec as part of its SD Xperience portfolio. The first high-speed, managed, end-to-end broadband service designed specifically for the business aviation sector, FlexExec is now being commercially delivered in partnership with Intelsat (NYSE: I) and Astronics AeroSat. At service introduction, four aircraft types are utilizing the system including a Dassault Falcon 7X and three Gulfstream models, GIV, G450 and G550. In addition to the customer aircraft, SD has performed global network validation with its Gulfstream GIV, making this the first business aviation connectivity offering to undergo global beta testing prior to commercial service introduction.
“Business aviation now has a dedicated connectivity system that can be tailored for customers to suit specific mission needs. The flexibility and resilience of the FlexExec system will bring enhanced connectivity to the industry, paired with SD Xperience at a time when synchronizing data across all aspects of flight operations to improve efficiency and safety is becoming increasingly important. The service introduction is the next step in the evolution of the digitized aviation industry,” said Jim Jensen, CEO and founder of Satcom Direct.
Significantly, the new service gives business aviation operators the ability to budget hourly connectivity rates for the first time ever. The “Power-by-the-Hour” plan, only available through the SD Xperience portfolio, provides clients with greater flexibility to plan for maintenance and down time. The hourly rate is inclusive of the full ecosystem of SD services, meaning cabin connectivity, datalink, scheduling, cybersecurity, post-flight reporting and more are all included, on a single consolidated monthly invoice. As well as maximizing operating budgets, SD Xperience synchronizes aircraft with flight operations through its integrated software, hardware and connectivity.
Mark Gardner, Crew Chief and Client Account Maintenance Manager for Meridian Air Charter, one of the FlexExec in-service evaluation operators, and now customer, comments, “SD Xperience, combined with the FlexExec service, provides a much-needed, flexible connectivity option that we know delivers a high-performance, global, reliable service. Passengers expect constant connectivity and now we can deliver this while simultaneously enhancing the management of our dynamic operations through the real-time visibility delivered by SD Pro. We’re excited to be one of the first to maximize the new service. It is an invaluable and welcome solution to the complexity of fulfilling customer expectations, improving efficiencies and managing operational costs.”
FlexExec is powered by Intelsat’s global, high-performing, multi-layered Ku-band satellite fleet using the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite (HTS) platform with layers of inbuilt redundancy. Uniquely, customers are not subject to data speed caps as consistent delivery of up to 10Mbps into the cabin, and 2Mbps out, gives enough bandwidth to support streaming, large file transfers, and video conferencing on multiple Wi-Fi devices simultaneously. Consistent delivery is augmented by the secure SD network infrastructure consisting of the SD Data Center and global Points of Presence (POPs) around the world.
“FlexExec was designed with business jet operators and their passengers in mind,” said Intelsat’s Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Distribution, Mark Rasmussen. “While traveling, passengers expect fast, reliable broadband connectivity with a consistently high level of service – from take-off to landing. By virtue of Intelsat’s FlexExec global, managed service, built upon Intelsat’s multi-layer, redundant network, Satcom Direct can reliably deliver on passenger expectations. The flexibility and economies of scale inherent in FlexExec enable Satcom Direct to differentiate its services and deliver an end-user experience that is second to none.”
As the Master Distributor of the FlexExec service, usage is also supported via the SD Xperience end-to-end business infrastructure. In the air, SD provides the cabin networking hardware to give customers advance network management options. The software delivered by the SD Pro Operating System delivers a variety of benefits including predictive connective mapping, cybersecurity threat monitoring, flight tracking and account management tools amongst other options. On the ground, the FlexExec service is integrated with SD’s support team who are available for activation, provisioning and troubleshooting 24/7, 365 days a year ensuring bandwidth is available wherever customer aircraft are flying. The network architecture is delivered to aircraft via the AeroSat FliteStream™ (T-310) tail-mounted antenna system. The system is initially available for aftermarket aircraft, and installations are offered through approved service centers.
Flexible and Scalable Network Architecture Empowers Service Providers to Offer Unique State-of-the-Art Service and Maximize Profitability
FlexExec from Intelsat Delivers the High Performance, Ubiquity, Resiliency and Reliability that Service Providers and Business Jet Owners Deserve
Intelsat’s Seamless, Multi-Layered, Network for Business Aviation Ensures a Best-in Class Experience for Every Business Jet Passenger
Luxembourg | October 15, 2018– Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of satellite services and integrated communications, announced today it is launching FlexExec, a managed end-to-end service enabling service providers to easily and cost-effectively deliver high-performance, in-flight broadband connectivity to business jets globally.
FlexExec’s broadband services are now accessible via Intelsat’s global, high performing, multi-layered Ku-band satellite fleet. Designed specifically to cover high-traffic business jet routes, FlexExec rides on the Intelsat global network, which integrates layers of high-throughput satellite platform (HTS) coverage from the company’s proven Intelsat EpicNG fleet with the company’s wide-beam satellites to deliver added resiliency and redundancy.
“With FlexExec, Intelsat is reinventing the communications experience for business jet operators and passengers,” said Mark Rasmussen, Intelsat’s vice president and general manager, mobility. “Business travel is demanding and with the global, committed, multi-layered coverage of FlexExec, our service providers can ensure that every business passenger has access to the same high speed, reliable broadband connectivity in the sky as they would at home or in the office. Importantly, the flexibility, throughput and improved economies of scale of FlexExec enables our service providers to differentiate their service offerings and meet the evolving streaming and broadband demands of their passengers over the long-term.”
Positioned for Success with Flexible, Customizable Service Plans
FlexExec aggregates Intelsat’s space segment, the IntelsatOne ground infrastructure into a simplified, streamlined ecosystem. By having one, cohesive network, service providers will immediately gain operational efficiencies and be in a stronger position to simplify the inflight experience for flight departments.
In addition, the flexibility of the FlexExec platform enables Intelsat’s service providers to define their offerings for customers on an individual basis rather than on a one-size-fits-all model. It allows them to use bandwidth as they see fit and tailor services based on regional needs. With multi-layered, seamless, consistent coverage paired with the capability to customize and differentiate their offering, service providers have the flexibility to optimize their service, differentiate their brand and deliver real value to their customers. The single, global, high-performance network also eliminates uneven service and gaps in coverage, the prime concern of an end-user base whose flight schedules and routes are not as consistent and predictable as commercial airlines.
Fuel Customer Loyalty Indefinitely
FlexExec is anchored on industry-leading technology and redundancy, ensuring that business jet passengers will have seamless, consistent on-demand connectivity. The Intelsat EpicNG platform utilizes Ku- band, wide beams, spot beams, and frequency reuse technology to provide a host of customer benefits. High quality connectivity without loss in performance, and up to 15x more throughput per satellite is a staple of what Intelsat EpicNG can deliver. Multiple Intelsat EpicNG spot beams enable a high concentration of power on smaller areas supplying the much larger volumes of data that passengers are seeking, especially on the highest traffic aero routes. As a result, service providers and passengers can enjoy reliable, uninterrupted inflight connectivity globally.
Deliver a Best-in-Class Passenger Experience on Every Flight
FlexExec helps business jet broadband providers exceed the expectations of a deserving client base that wishes to stay connected at all times. The service is uniquely designed to support business aviation, meaning capacity is not shared with commercial aviation or consumer broadband customers, ensuring that business jet passengers will have seamless, on-demand connectivity. This results in a best-in-class experience for each passenger on every flight, whether they wish to exchange emails, access cloud-based applications, stream movies or indulge in any other data-heavy experience.
'Future–proofing' the IFE installation means providing an onboard network with sufficient bandwidth that the airline will never have to tear apart their airplane to re-wire to install upgrades. Fiber-to-the-Seat™ provides a fiber optics network running at a gigabit per second – High-definition video is only the beginning – who knows what the hot, killer apps will be 10-20 years from now?!”