Satcom Direct, the business aviation solutions provider, has unveiled an expanded range of service plans for Viasat’s Jet ConneX inflight broadband service. These new service plans will be made exclusively available to Satcom Direct operators, equipping their aircraft with the SD Plane Simple® Ka-band tail-mount terminal. The option includes the first ever ‘Power by the Hour’ option for Jet ConneX, enabling business jet operators to pay an hourly rate for inflight connectivity.

Delivering greater flexibility and providing even more choice, the new service plans offer streamlined global connectivity for more aircraft owners worldwide, with compact hardware that requires minimally invasive installation.

The terminal, which is purpose-built for business aviation, consists of only two line-replaceable units (LRUs) – a tail mount antenna with a reduced footprint and the SD Modem Unit, which sits in the unpressurized part of the fuselage, saving valuable cabin space. In combination with the new service plans, including the Power by the Hour options, SD and Viasat are making more powerful Ka-band connectivity available for more aircraft sizes than ever before. High-speed data transfer for teleconferencing, HD video streaming and multiple digital applications for high volumes of users travelling on mid to large-size jets will be the norm for operators worldwide.

SD President, Chris Moore says, “Our goal is to ensure our business aviation customers can benefit from consistent, reliable service. Our Plane Simple Ka-band technology, combined with the new plans and our industry-leading customer support, adds further value to our offering. Customers require flexibility and consistency, and together with Viasat, we are committed to delivering a superior service that aligns with diverse operational budgets and individual customer demands.”

In addition to the new service plans, Satcom Direct and Viasat have confirmed that the SD Plane Simple Ka-band terminal will connect immediately with the GX satellite constellation, launched by Viasat’s recently acquired Inmarsat business; and be upgradable to Viasat’s full Ka-band network, including the ViaSat-3 satellites and next generation GX satellites as they come online. This will enhance the long-term return on investment for operators adopting the next-generation terminal and ensure aircraft are future-proofed to stay aligned with evolving connectivity technologies.

Kai Tang, Head of Business Aviation, Viasat, adds, “Our continued joint innovation with Satcom Direct delivers seamless, global connectivity solutions that meet and exceed customer expectations.  With the strength of our next-generation satellite network and the advanced hardware technology of our partner, we can continue to provide exceptional connectivity experiences for business aviation passengers.”

The new service plans will enter commercial service once flight testing of the SD Plane Simple Ka-band terminal is finalized and required regulatory certification is confirmed, which is anticipated to be granted in early 2024.