The network for the internet in the skies successfully tested

The European Aviation Network (EAN) for high-speed in-flight internet access integrates a satellite and terrestrial network
The first successful EAN test flight has been carried out in the United Kingdom
The rollout of sites across Europe is progressing according to the plan; four base stations have been installed in the Czech Republic

The European Aviation Network (EAN), which enables high-speed inflight internet access, is airborne – together with their technology partners, Deutsche Telekom (DT) and Inmarsat have successfully conducted a test flight. Approximately 300 base stations will be needed across Europe to operate the service, which is the first in the world to integrate a satellite and terrestrial network. T-Mobile Czech Republic is now completing the installation of four base stations that are necessary to cover the Czech Republic. The system is scheduled to be deployed in the first planes roughly in the middle of 2017.

“The EAN allows us to offer our customers outstanding connectivity services not only on the ground but also in the sky. The new technology based on LTE standard makes sure that EAN is flexible for any further technology developments in the future,” says Claudia Nemat, Board Member for Europe and Technology at Deutsche Telekom. She added that passengers on board planes will connect to the EAN from their devices by means of Wi-Fi.

The purpose of the test flight, which was conducted in the south-western part of the United Kingdom (in an area with light air traffic, near a military area), was to test the functionality of the EAN system, including on-board equipment that was provided by Thales and the ground network provided by DT and Nokia. The flight took roughly three hours and the aircraft travelled 1,624 km, mostly at an altitude of 9,000 meters. The first live connection in the field was accomplished in the form of a broadband video conference in which both parties were connected via the dedicated EAN mobile LTE network.

The results exceeded expectations for such an early flight test. At the airspeed of 750 km/h, data download speeds reached 80 Mbps. Additionally, the systems performed multiple successful handovers between sectors and cell towers and were able to maintain a stable connection.

It is sufficient to build only four base stations in the Czech Republic within the planned European coverage map. T-Mobile is now completing their installation; the operator’s specialists are involved in the EAN project also as members of the international implementation team.

To achieve live connection between the EAN and the LTE ground network, DT and Nokia have adapted Nokia’s LTE base stations and remote radio heads (RRH) to the frequency used for the EAN, which was provided by Inmarsat. They also built a special base station antenna to cover the sky at an altitude of more than 3,000 meters. The LTE ground network for the EAN differs from normal LTE networks in that it needs to work at speeds of up to 1,200 km/h, at cruising altitudes of passenger aircraft, which requires cells with a range extended to up to 150 km.

More information about the EAN can be found in the press release here.

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.