Deutsche Telekom and Inmarsat to jointly develop the European Aviation Network

The world’s first combined LTE and satellite network for air passengers in Europe
Customer experience similar to high-speed connectivity at home
Czech T-Mobile to ensure coverage of the Czech Republic’s airspace

Deutsche Telekom and Inmarsat have announced their strategic partnership to build the European Aviation Network (EAN), which will enable passengers in Europe to use high-speed internet access during flights. Deutsche Telekom’s subsidiaries, including T-Mobile Czech Republic, will also participate in the project. The Czech operator will ensure coverage of the Czech Republic’s airspace.

EAN combines satellite connectivity from a satellite of Inmarsat, the leading provider of mobile satellite communications services, with the LTE ground network operated by the Deutsche Telekom Group. The ever increasing demands of customers on the busiest routes in Europe were taken into consideration in the development of this combined satellite/LTE network, which is the first of its kind in the world. The network offers a long-term solution for onboard internet connectivity featuring sufficient capacity, speed and coverage comparable with high-speed connectivity at home.

Deutsche Telekom Group’s LTE ground network will consist of approximately 300 LTE transmitters; several dozen of them will ensure coverage of the Czech Republic’s airspace, which will be the responsibility of T-Mobile Czech Republic. The LTE transmitters will have a range of more than 80 km (while conventional LTE transmitters have a range of max. 10 km), will be able to transmit data to the operating altitude of passenger planes and will be flexible enough to adapt to the speed of planes.

The satellite is designed to offer innovative mobile satellite services (MSS) to airlines servicing busy European routes. Inmarsat can use the 30 MHz (2 x 15 MHz) S-band spectrum allocation in all 28 EU member states.

The ground network will be combined with satellite connectivity when a plane reaches the altitude of 3 km. The switching between the two types of connectivity will be automatically managed by the cabin systems without any interference with the systems on board.

The first European airline to employ the innovative connectivity services in practice will be Lufthansa. In summer 2016, it will launch the state-of-the-art high-speed satellite connectivity based on Inmarsat technology on board its European flights. Based on its strategic partnership, Lufthansa is committed to launching a trial operation of the European Aviation Network in 2017.

T-Mobile Czech Republic, a member of the international telecommunications group Deutsche Telekom, has almost 6.2 million customers, the number-one operator in the Czech market. T-Mobile is an integrated operator: in addition to telecommunications services, it offers comprehensive ICT solutions not only for companies, but also for other organizations and individuals. It provides outstanding services in the high-speed network, which was proved repeatedly by benchmark testing performed by umlaut (former P3) with Best-in-Test seal.

T-Mobile Czech Republic places emphasis on taking a responsible approach to the environment and society. It adheres to fair business practices, helps beneficial applications and services to see the light of day, supports non-profit organizations, small businesses and individuals, and lends a helping hand whenever crisis situations arise. The company’s employees serve as volunteers in many places across the entire Czech Republic.

More information about the company is available at www.t-mobile.cz, www.t-press.cz (the portal for journalists) and www.t-mobile.cz/pomahame (information on the company’s CSR activities).

Contact details of the press unit: press@t-press.cz.