If you happen to be traveling with Qatar Airways soon, you could enjoy some broadband service that the airline is now rolling out.



Travelers on board its Boeing 777 and Airbus A350 aircraft will be able access the internet using its "super wifi" for one hour for free. That one hour could be extended with different premium packages.

Qatar Airways will be the first of the big three Middle Eastern carriers to offer inflight wifi. Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker said: “In another first for the MENA region, Qatar Airways passengers can now enjoy high-speed broadband connectivity, providing rich content without restriction, whether using the internet for work or relaxation during their journey." He added that: "business traveler, in particular, will be able to maximize their ‘office in the sky’ with seamless continuity.”

The internet connectivity will be provided using Inmarsat Aviation's GX Aviation - high speed aviation broadband service. According the company's website, it uses its own Ka-band satellite network which has been increasingly been relied on by businesses and governments which use apps that rely on the need for more bandwidth. Because of its global reach, it promises travelers uninterrupted connectivity.

Besides Qatar Airways, GX Aviation is also currently providing travelers on Lufthansa Group carriers and Air Astana internet access. Inmarsat Aviation is currently working with other airlines such as Emirates to install the new system on their planes.

As it intorduces the GX Aviation tech for providing internet connectivity, the airline is also using a new Inmarsat-supplied space-based system for real-time tracking of all Qatar Airways flights.

Airlines providing inflight connectivity has faced numerous challenges, especially on technical issues and varying coverage. The new tech could open up opportunities in commerce and new online experiences while flying. As Qatar Airways successfully tested the service, should it prove to provide a reliable internet connection, we could soon be seeing the tech on more airlines and flights in the future.



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