• ANA Combines Connectivity, Live Television, and Best–‐In–‐Class Inflight Entertainment to Connect Passengers to a Unique Entertainment Experience

Tokyo, Japan | April 28, 2015– All Nippon Airways (ANA), which is Japan’s largest airline, has received its first B787-9 aircraft with Panasonic’s inflight entertainment (IFE), live television and broadband Wi-Fi from Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

ANA’s new Dreamliner will have the full suite of the world’s best inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions from Panasonic, including its industry-leading live television product, eXTV. The service will give ANA passengers opportunities to view a host of live channels during their flight, including NHK World Premium, CNN and Sport 24, allowing them to keep up with both news and live sporting events.

In addition to live television, ANA passengers will also be able to purchase Wi-Fi access to browse the internet and send emails using Panasonic’s eXConnect service. The 787-9 aircraft will also feature eX3, Panasonic’s most advanced inflight entertainment system.

Mr Koji Oka, Director of Products and Services Strategy for ANA said, “For years our passengers have enjoyed an incredible entertainment experience through our partnership with Panasonic, and with our new 787-9 aircraft, we wanted to elevate this experience to a whole new level. With a powerful mix of early window content, live television and international Wi-Fi, we’re setting a new standard for air travel, and we are proud to partner with Panasonic.”

Panasonic Avionics Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Margis said, “ANA’s goal was to create something truly unique for their passengers. Together, we have combined the world’s most advanced inflight entertainment technology to offer a connected seatback experience that includes multiple channels of real-time news, the world’s most popular sporting events and other television programming. The result is a one-of-a-kind experience for their passengers.”

Lake Forest, CA | June 19, 2014– Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) today announced a landmark agreement with Eutelsat America Corp. (EAC), Eutelsat’s US subsidiary, to deliver unmatched in-flight broadband connectivity services to aircraft flying high traffic routes spanning the West coast of North America, to Asia, and down to Australia and Pacific islands.

With 99.6 percent of all airline routes covered by its service, Panasonic today offers the most capable and comprehensive connectivity solution including in-flight Wi-Fi, mobile phone and live television service, using the only satellite network that is solely dedicated to commercial aviation.

Panasonic is continuing to make substantial investments in ‘High Throughput Satellites’ to ensure airlines and their passengers receive the highest bandwidth for the lowest possible cost both now and for the foreseeable future. The EUTELSAT 172B ‘High Throughput’ satellite, which is scheduled to launch in 2017, will seamlessly integrate into Panasonic’s powerful network architecture tailored to the unique requirements of global aviation. It allows Panasonic to proactively address the expanding connectivity market — specifically in the fast growing Asia Pacific region — and the ever-increasing demand for data services by passengers.

High Throughput Satellites use a combination of spot beams and high level frequency re-use to provide much wider bandwidth and faster data speeds as passengers browse the internet and use other online services. They also use a broad overlay beam, which is used to economically deliver up to eight channels of live television to passengers in flight.

Through this purpose-built network architecture now including EUTELSAT 172B Panasonic will provide up to 200 megabytes per spot beam – four times more bandwidth than its nearest competitor.

Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics, said: “Demand for in-flight connectivity is increasing exponentially, especially in Asia. This agreement with a capable technology partner such as Eutelsat represents a continuation of our commitment to serve the aviation industry with the most capable and comprehensive connectivity solution available today and in the future.”

Following a fiercely contested competition, Eutelsat was selected as a result of its decision to install a replacement satellite at a key strategic location on Panasonic’s global network, offering excellent orbital slot and frequency coordination.

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO said: “EUTELSAT 172B is ideally positioned to serve the rapidly growing in-flight connectivity market in this region, and we welcome Panasonic Avionics Corp. as an anchor tenant on this state-of-the-art satellite. Their long-term commitment to this location underscores its unmatched vantage point over a wide and underserved area spanning from the West coast of North America, to Asia and down to Australia and Pacific islands.”

• Panasonic satellite system covers 99.6 per cent of all global airline routes

Calgary | February 14, 2014/CNW/– 

 

Lake Forest, CA | July 25, 2012– Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC), today unveiled several significant advantages of its Global Communications Service as a result of its new agreement with Intelsat for up to 1 gigabit-per-second (Gbps) of capacity on the recently announced Intelsat EpicNG satellite platform.

With Intelsat EpicNG satellite platform, Panasonic is able to significantly enhance capacity over North America and the North Atlantic, which is one of the densest long-haul flight corridors in the world. In effect, Panasonic and Intelsat will create a ku-band aeronautical network that combines the industry’s highest bandwidth, and fastest possible data speeds for passengers, with the economical global delivery of uninterrupted live television.

Compared to other high bandwidth connectivity solutions including recently announced Ka-band networks, Panasonic offers up to six times more capacity in key areas of the Continental united States and across the North Atlantic. This translates into 80 megabits-per-second (Mbps) per aircraft and 200 Mbps per spot beam will be available to any aircraft flying these high-traffic routes.

Unlike competitive solutions, this capacity is solely dedicated to Panasonic’s aeronautical network, and will not be shared with any maritime, government, military or other service not affiliated with the company. The network also will leverage the necessary regulatory approvals to operate service that Panasonic has secured over the past five years. With Panasonic already operating a global Ku-band aeronautical network, airlines flying these routes will benefit from increased capacity without costly changes in antenna equipment or unnecessary aircraft downtime.

Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer for Panasonic Avionics Corporation said, “Our customers constantly look for new innovations such as broadband in-flight connectivity that revolutionize both the passenger experience and the operational efficiency of their fleets. With our new high throughput Ku-band network, we will offer airlines the highest bandwidth available, exactly where they need it most.”

Today, more than 1,500 aircraft have been committed to Panasonic’s Global Communication Service. Unlike alternative in-flight connectivity services where bandwidth is simply resold by the provider, Panasonic will manage the network, giving the company greater control over the quality of service.

HAMBURG, Germany – 19 May 2010 – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, today announced that Lufthansa will deploy the Panasonic eX2 IFEC system on its flagship Airbus A380 aircraft.

Panasonic’s eX2 IFEC system will provide Lufthansa’s passengers – in every service class – with a full complement of entertainment and communication options at their fingertips. The eX2 IFEC system will provide an enhanced passenger experience with access to a wide variety of audio and video on demand (AVOD) selections including the latest feature films in up to eight languages, TV series, international radio channels, CDs, games, flight and connecting gate information, all displayed on in-seat monitors. The user friendly interface gives passengers a choice of 10 different navigation languages. Power for personal electronic devices is available in first, business class and economy class.

“As Lufthansa planned its new flagship aircraft, they aspired to offer best-in-class amenities and provide each passenger with a superior entertainment experience,” said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “We’re proud to be a part of that. By selecting our eX2 IFEC system for its A380 fleet, Lufthansa ensures all of its passengers will enjoy the most engaging content in the sky.

“This is a major step forward for both Lufthansa and Panasonic,” Margis added. “This sets a new standard for flight comfort, service and entertainment.” Lufthansa has ordered 15 of the Airbus A380 aircraft. The aircraft will have 526 seats in three classes on two levels. With four of the planes expected to be in service by the end of the year, initial routes will be between Frankfurt and the destination cities of Tokyo, Beijing and Johannesburg. The inaugural commercial flight will leave Frankfurt June 11, en route to Tokyo.

HAMBURG, Germany – 20 May, 2010 – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, improved its ranking in the annual Airbus Suppliers Rating, putting it among the top 10 Cabin Suppliers.

The 2009 Airbus Suppliers rating included 74 aircraft suppliers. The results were compiled from 6,060 questionnaires representing 117 airlines. Based on performance metrics and client feedback in the areas of product, service and cost, Panasonic moved up its rating.

In the Cabin Suppliers category, Panasonic was ranked eighth overall, an improvement of six positions from 2008. In the SFE/IFE Suppliers category, Panasonic improved its ranking by 10 positions to the number 19 spot.

“We are deeply committed to providing exceptional customer satisfaction,” said Yasu Enokido, President and COO of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “During the past year, we have been focused on improving our performance processing times and are pleased that our customers have acknowledged the progress we are making. Over the coming year Panasonic will continue with its efforts to build on these initial achievements.”

LAKE FOREST, California – 02 March 2010 – Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and communication (IFEC) systems, today announced that it has been selected to provide in-flight entertainment systems on three (3) Airbus A320 narrow-body aircraft owned by Tel Aviv-based Israir Airlines.

The first aircraft is equipped with the Panasonic Digital Multiplexed Passenger Entertainment System (DMPES), an overhead in-flight entertainment system.

The Panasonic DMPES is an audio and video distribution in-flight entertainment system for narrow-body aircraft such as the A320. The system uses the latest technology that incorporates Panasonic’s X Series System, which reduces space, weight and power when compared with traditional overhead systems. The 10.4” touch screen Crew Panel provides a user friendly and easy access point for the crew.

“We are very pleased to have Israir as a new customer and are looking forward to working closely with them to manage and support their IFEC System,” said Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics Corporation. “Israir’s selection of Panasonic’s in-flight entertainment system will help strengthen the airline’s competitive advantage by taking the in-flight experience to a higher level for its passengers.”

“We are very impressed with Panasonic’s global support network, and having local support based in Tel Aviv was important in our decision to choose the Panasonic DMPES,” said Mr. Tamir Jacoby, Service Manager at Israir. “Also, the quality and innovation of the product is in line with the high expectations of our passengers, who want a rich and seamless ground-to-air in-flight entertainment experience.”

Established in 1996, Israir is Israel’s second largest carrier, offering both domestic flights and international flights between Israel and major destinations in the Mediterranean Basin and Europe. In 2007 Israir became the first Airbus customer in Israel with the purchase of three A320 aircraft. Its fleet also includes ATRs with seating for 50.

29th January, 2010 – AeroMobile has today finalised a long term investment in its future, with the formation of AeroMobile Communications Ltd as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telenor Group, the world’s seventh largest telecoms company.

The move comes as the business of AeroMobile emerges from a short, 5 week period of restructure via administration. During this time, the company was managed in conjunction with the highly acclaimed firm BDO who led a successful restructuring process, and secured the outright sale of the AeroMobile business to Telenor. AeroMobile says this will enable it to maintain its industry leadership and cater to the burgeoning in-flight connectivity market.

Bjarne Aamodt, Chairman of the Board of AeroMobile and Senior Vice President in Telenor Group, says: “We are delighted to seal an investment in AeroMobile that will develop its potential in the years ahead. This innovative, award-winning business already has a proven track record and, with our long-term vision and support, we are utterly confident that it will continue to grow successfully.”

In March 2008, the AeroMobile system made possible the first authorised in-flight calls on a commercial flight with launch customer Emirates Airline. It is currently the only system in commercial operation on wide-bodied airliners. It is in service today on 68 aircraft of Emirates and Malaysian Airlines, flying to over 90 destinations across the globe, and has also been ordered by Qantas.

AeroMobile is teamed with market-leading IFEC (In-flight Entertainment and Communications) giant, Panasonic Avionics Corporation, and is a key element of the world’s first fully integrated cellular-enabled IFEC platform. AeroMobile technology, under the eXPhone brand, is an integral part of Panasonic’s new IFEC offering. V Australia is the launch customer for eXPhone.

AeroMobile’s technology is also a major component of Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite, an advanced industry first package that offers in-flight cellular, broadband Wi-Fi services and live TV. Lufthansa is the launch customer for the Global Communications Suite.

Since its launch, the AeroMobile system has been used by over 1.4 million airline passengers making it the most popular in the skies today.

AeroMobile’s CEO, Bjorn-Taale Sandberg, says: “This is a significant moment in our company’s history and a major step forward. Becoming a subsidiary of a renowned billion dollar industry giant such as Telenor Group gives us the necessary confidence to further develop the company to the benefit of our customers”

“The recent restructuring was initiated to create a better platform from which we can realise our full long-term business potential, sustain product leadership and continually offer different ways for airlines to differentiate themselves.”

Malcolm Cohen, Restructuring Partner at BDO and joint administrator, said: “It is a great result to have sold the AeroMobile business to Telenor, preserving jobs and reputation. The sale will ensure the ongoing success of the business and we wish Telenor and AeroMobile Communications the very best for the future.”