Digita provides comprehensive infrastructure for EAN ground network in Finland
Published: 6.10.2017
Digita has signed a long-term contract with Deutsche Telekom Group’s subsidiary T-Systems to offer its infrastructure for use by the European Aviation Network (EAN), the world’s first integrated S-band satellite and complementary LTE-based terrestrial network across Europe.
Digita’s country-wide
infrastructure and extensive expertise in wireless networks will facilitate
EAN’s high-speed internet access for airline passengers traversing the Finnish
airspace. The EAN will be rolled out in Finland and across Europe from the end
of 2017 and offers the European aviation industry a powerful connectivity
service for their customers. The service is the result of a successful
partnership of several European companies, led by Inmarsat and Deutsche
Telekom.
“We are delighted that we have
been given the opportunity to offer our infrastructure for use by EAN in the
skies above Finland. EAN provides an example of the versatile ways in which
Digita’s nationwide network can be put to good use. Our reliable mast locations
and nationwide maintenance organisation offer first-class service to our
customers,” says Juha-Pekka Weckström,
CEO of Digita.
How does EAN’s aircraft Internet service work in practice?
Internet access to and from
aircraft via the EAN is established using small aircraft antennas. Cabin
systems automatically manage the transition between EAN’s satellite and
terrestrial systems, causing no impact or disturbance to the service onboard
the plane.
Around 300 terrestrial LTE
base stations are being put into service around Europe, which will complement
Inmarsat’s new S-band satellite which was launched into space in June 2017.
Having been put into service,
EAN will offer a seamless in-flight broadband internet service which is
continuously available in all 28 EU member states (as well as Norway and
Switzerland) to aircraft travelling at speeds up to 1,200 km/h at various
cruising altitudes.
About the European Aviation Network
The European Aviation Network
(EAN) is the world’s first integrated S-band satellite and complementary LTE-based terrestrial network across Europe that will bring unprecedented
passenger connectivity to the aviation industry. It will allow for high-speed
internet access on European flights: Passengers can use their personal devices
for internet browsing, video streaming, gaming and other online services, with
unmatched high capacity, low-latency performance. The EAN consists of two main
components, the MSS satellite from Inmarsat, which covers Europe and the
surrounding oceanic regions, and the complementary ground component of Deutsche
Telekom, which provides the required capacity in areas with extensive air
traffic.
Since the initial announcement
of EAN in September 2015, Deutsche Telekom and Nokia have made steady progress
and are on track to deliver the ground component of the project, with the
on-schedule rollout of the approximately 300 antenna sites and connecting the
network live over-the-air. In parallel, Inmarsat and Thales are advancing with
implementing the satellite communication for EAN, having launched the S-band
satellite at the end of June 2017. The EAN will be rolled out from the end of
2017 onwards, helping to position Europe at the global forefront of passenger
connectivity innovation.
For more information,
please visit www.europeanaviationnetwork.com
About Digita:
Digita transmits radio and television
programmes to everyone living in every corner of Finland every day of the year.
We also apply the latest digital technology in order to develop and offer
versatile online television and radio services. In addition, our service
portfolio includes comprehensive IoT services based on our nation-wide network,
as well as world-class Data Centre Services. Our clients are media houses and
mobile and broadband operators that provide the very best contents.
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