Satcom Direct (SD), the business aviation solutions provider, has signed an agreement with Stellar Blu Solutions (Stellar Blu), a supplier of next-generation satellite communications technology.

Stellar Blu has selected Satcom Direct as its preferred service provider for executive airliner customers using the Stellar Blu Sidewinder product line.

The announcement was made at a MEBAA meeting in Dubai.

Retrofitting

The Stellar Blu fuselage-mounted, electronically steered array (ESA) terminal is designed to retrofit executive airliners to support a full suite of connectivity services.

Satcom Direct will be responsible for selling and activating the airtime, customer service, cybersecurity monitoring and additional value-added services associated with airtime plans to Sidewinder terminal customers.

The multi-network terminal supports connectivity to Ku-band airtime networks, including the OneWeb LEO constellation with which SD already has a relationship.

Versatility

“We have successfully developed our advanced technology SD Plane Simple terminal series to meet the increasing and diverse connectivity demands of small to large jets. Adding the Stellar Blu Sidewinder solution to the portfolio complements the series and gives even more choices for our executive airliner customers. The versatility of the SD eco-system of software, hardware, and ground infrastructure enables customized solutions to meet the specific missions of these elite heavy jets,” said Michael Skou Christensen, chief commercial officer Satcom Direct.

“We are also integrating added value by enhancing the turnkey solution through collaborative integration of software tools for improved insight into end-to-end connectivity performance. Our open architecture system is a force multiplier in harnessing the power of the service. We can share aircraft performance data, connectivity usage and management data information to improve service quality, streamline operational efficiencies and augment the customer experience.”

2023 start

Stellar Blu will begin in-service evaluation of the Sidewinder ESA terminal in Q2 2023, after which a full suite of STCs is anticipated for Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer airframes. The ESA terminal is currently being type-approved on the OneWeb network. Customers can expect high-speed broadband connectivity on every mission, including routes transiting polar regions, before the end of 2023.

Photo Caption: L to R Dave Falberg, VP International, Satcom Direct, Tracy Trent CEO of Stellar Blu mark the new agreement at MEBAA 2022Subscribe to the FINN weekly newsletter