EBACE 2008: Lightweight broadband from Thrane & Thrane

Danish Inmarsat satcoms manufacturer Thrane & Thrane says it is now taking orders for its new Aero-SB Lite Inmarsat SwiftBroadband system.

First announced at last year’s NBAA show in Atlanta, Aero-SB Lite is designed to support voice, email and Internet and private network access over a single SwiftBroadband channel. SwiftBroadband service is currently available over the Atlantic and Indian oceans, with the Pacific to be added next year.

Built-in WiFi and voice-over-IP capabilities will support passenger communications via wireless laptops, BlackBerrys and other PDAs, and VoIP phones.

Working through a cheaper and less complex intermediate-gain antenna – other SwiftBroadband systems require a high-gain installation – Aero-SB Lite is exceptionally lightweight and compact. According to T&T it is suitable for use not only business jets but also on light aircraft and helicopters.

The system has been selected by air-to-ground communications provider Aircell to complement the terrestrially based broadband system that it plans to launch in the USA this year. Aero-SB Lite – either in standalone form or integrated with Aircell’s Axxess cabin communications system - is being offered to customers whose operations take them outside the USA.