Seamless Air Alliance announces world's first inflight connectivity standard

PR82905

FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 19, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/--

-- Landmark release will open up new opportunities for airlines and mobile

network operators, delivering a seamless ground-to-sky experience for

passengers, while minimizing airline investments in technology upgrades

A new milestone in providing secure and hassle-free Internet in the skies has

been reached today as the Seamless Air Alliance (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2721346-1&h=4289110741&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seamlessalliance.com%2F&a=Seamless+Air+Alliance

) published the first-ever standard for inflight connectivity.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/824074/Seamless_Air_Alliance_Logo.jpg

Developed in collaboration with industry experts across Seamless Air Alliance's

member companies (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2721346-1&h=3607992963&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.seamlessalliance.com%2Fmembers%2F&a=member+companies

), Seamless Release 1.0 establishes the world's only Modular Platform

Architecture for inflight connectivity. By using a modular structure based on

open interfaces, the system enables rapid adoption of new technologies without

requiring customization or the complete replacement of equipment on the

aircraft or fleet.

The standard -- Seamless Release 1.0 -- enables long-term technical flexibility

for airlines, provides a secure and easy-to-access service for passengers, and

opens the door to seamless roaming with mobile network operators.  

"Passenger demands for inflight connectivity are still ahead of the performance

of systems putting increasing pressure on airlines to find a way to meet these

expectations and gain passenger loyalty," said Jack Mandala, Seamless Air

Alliance CEO. "Seamless Release 1.0 changes the game by enabling airlines to

take advantage of new capacity and innovations faster and more cost-effectively

than ever before."

Seamless Release 1.0 includes a comprehensive set of unique, testable,

requirements for airlines to use when developing sourcing requests. In addition

to saving the airline time and money to develop these requirements, standards

eliminate the risk of trying to predict how future developments will impact

their choice of systems.

Mark Cheyney, IFEC Development Manager at Virgin Atlantic, said: "Meeting

increasing expectations for connectivity in the skies is fast becoming a

driving factor in airline preference. Virgin Atlantic and the Seamless Air

Alliance believe that standardization will allow airlines to be more empowered

and more in control of their connectivity service offerings, allowing them to

meet their customers' expectations."

Sherif Bakir, CEO of Vodafone Roaming Services, added: "While in flight

connectivity is already available today, the experience of customers varies

from one airline to another in terms of things like simplicity and data speeds.

With rising consumer connectivity needs, this new standard is a promising first

step towards a much improved and consistent in flight customer experience."

Additional details of Seamless Release 1.0 are available in a newly published

technology brief, titled Seamless Air Alliance Introduction to SR1 -- A New Era

of Inflight Connectivity.

The publication of the standard, which is available for any Seamless Air

Alliance member to view in full, enables airlines and mobile operators to

easily deploy, integrate and operate on-board networks by having a choice of

different suppliers and open interfaces from where they can source modular

parts, subsystems and software. This design means multi-supplier IFC systems

can be built quickly to support future technology upgrades that do not require

customizations.

The Seamless Air Alliance is an open, international collaboration of airlines,

technology leaders, and suppliers formed to improve the way airlines build out

connectivity to support continuous innovation and allow rapid upscaling in the

market.

To learn more about the Seamless Air Alliance, and how to become a member,

please visit www.SeamlessAlliance.com.

About Seamless Air Alliance

The Seamless Air Alliance was created by founding members Airbus, Airtel, Delta

Air Lines, OneWeb and Sprint.

The Seamless Air Alliance mission is to pioneer a new era of inflight

connectivity by bringing industries and technologies together to make

connectivity simple to access and delightful to use. Together the leading

airlines and technology providers are defining open standards for inflight

connectivity. These standards will enable passengers to connect in a secure and

simple manner, provide airlines with flexible systems for the future, and

accelerate innovation and rapid upscaling within the aviation industry.

SOURCE:  Seamless Air Alliance

CONTACT: Proactive International PR Ltd.

         Hollie-May Auburn

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         Association Management Solutions (AMS)

         Julianne Fitzpatrick

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