Lake Forest, CA | December 23, 2013– Panasonic Avionics has signed a definitive agreement with China Telecom Satellite Communications Limited to jointly develop, implement and support in-flight connectivity solutions for Chinese airlines.

The agreement will also make possible the provision of in-flight broadband connectivity to Panasonic’s 39 customer airlines when flying into and over China. As part of the agreement China Telecom Satellite will operate a teleport in Beijing, China to service the aeronautical broadband service for Panasonic.

Now the new teleport is ready for service and will launch the service commercially following the final approval from the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).

Panasonic Avionics’ eXConnect system uses its global Ku-band aeronautical satellite network to deliver inflight broadband connectivity, enabling passengers to access the internet, compose and send email or log onto their favorite social media sites.

Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, says: “Over the past six months since we announced the MOU with China Telecom Satellite, we have made great progress and now have completed the cooperation agreement. Now we are collectively ready to begin this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers. This is a very important accomplishment and we thank China Telecom Satellite for their excellent contribution.”

Lv Junli, President of China Telecom Satellite, says: “We are very pleased to announce this great milestone of progress with our partner Panasonic. We are very pleased to work with Panasonic to provide inflight communications to both international and Chinese airlines.”

The parties plan to begin offering inflight connectivity services as soon as all necessary approvals are in place.

Lake Forest, CA | July 25, 2013– Panasonic Avionics has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Telecom Satellite Communications Limited (China Telecom Satellite) to jointly develop, implement and support in-flight connectivity solutions for the Chinese market.

The signing of the MOU will also make possible the first ever provision of in-flight connectivity to Panasonic’s 36 non-Chinese customer airlines when flying into and over China.

Panasonic Avionics’ eXConnect system uses its global Ku-band aeronautical satellite network to deliver in-flight broadband connectivity, enabling passengers to access the internet, send email or log onto their favourite social media sites.

Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics, says: “While there is still work to be done in order to complete the cooperation agreement, we have made great progress with China Telecom Satellite towards providing this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers. We believe China Telecom Satellite will be a very strong and effective partner for China’s in-flight communication market.”

China Telecom Satellite stated: “We are very pleased to partner with Panasonic Avionics as they have an established track record and are a proving to be strong provider of high-quality in-flight communications services to both international and Chinese airlines.”

Both parties are working to complete their formal contract over the coming weeks and plan to begin offering commercial in-flight connectivity services in the fourth quarter of 2013.