Lufthansa Technik and Thrane & Thrane have joined forces to deliver high-bandwidth communications systems for VIP and business aircraft under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed here. The partnership combines Thrane & Thrane's satcoms experience with Lufthansa Technik's expertise in integrating and installing entertainment and communications equipment inside the aircraft cabin.
The MoU builds on the partners' collaboration on the mobile access router (MAR), which was launched at EBACE 2004 in Geneva in May. The MAR is designed to act as the main interface between in-cabin devices—for example, Lufthansa Technik's nice (networked integrated cabin equipment)—and outside high-speed links, such as 802.11 gatelinks and phones.
Now, the MAR will be linked to Thrane & Thrane's Aero-HSD data communications system for high-speed, global satcoms access. The two companies now intend to work together on future satellite communications systems tailored to the business jet market, and to jointly promote and market integrated solutions that allow onboard users to communicate and access the Internet.
