Melbourne, Florida / 2 April 2019 – Today Satcom Direct (SD) announces the commercial service introduction of Intelsat FlexExec as part of its SD Xperience portfolio. The first high-speed, managed, end-to-end broadband service designed specifically for the business aviation sector, FlexExec is now being commercially delivered in partnership with Intelsat (NYSE: I) and Astronics AeroSat. At service introduction, four aircraft types are utilizing the system including a Dassault Falcon 7X and three Gulfstream models, GIV, G450 and G550. In addition to the customer aircraft, SD has performed global network validation with its Gulfstream GIV, making this the first business aviation connectivity offering to undergo global beta testing prior to commercial service introduction.
“Business aviation now has a dedicated connectivity system that can be tailored for customers to suit specific mission needs. The flexibility and resilience of the FlexExec system will bring enhanced connectivity to the industry, paired with SD Xperience at a time when synchronizing data across all aspects of flight operations to improve efficiency and safety is becoming increasingly important. The service introduction is the next step in the evolution of the digitized aviation industry,” said Jim Jensen, CEO and founder of Satcom Direct.
Significantly, the new service gives business aviation operators the ability to budget hourly connectivity rates for the first time ever. The “Power-by-the-Hour” plan, only available through the SD Xperience portfolio, provides clients with greater flexibility to plan for maintenance and down time. The hourly rate is inclusive of the full ecosystem of SD services, meaning cabin connectivity, datalink, scheduling, cybersecurity, post-flight reporting and more are all included, on a single consolidated monthly invoice. As well as maximizing operating budgets, SD Xperience synchronizes aircraft with flight operations through its integrated software, hardware and connectivity.
Mark Gardner, Crew Chief and Client Account Maintenance Manager for Meridian Air Charter, one of the FlexExec in-service evaluation operators, and now customer, comments, “SD Xperience, combined with the FlexExec service, provides a much-needed, flexible connectivity option that we know delivers a high-performance, global, reliable service. Passengers expect constant connectivity and now we can deliver this while simultaneously enhancing the management of our dynamic operations through the real-time visibility delivered by SD Pro. We’re excited to be one of the first to maximize the new service. It is an invaluable and welcome solution to the complexity of fulfilling customer expectations, improving efficiencies and managing operational costs.”
FlexExec is powered by Intelsat’s global, high-performing, multi-layered Ku-band satellite fleet using the Intelsat EpicNG high-throughput satellite (HTS) platform with layers of inbuilt redundancy. Uniquely, customers are not subject to data speed caps as consistent delivery of up to 10Mbps into the cabin, and 2Mbps out, gives enough bandwidth to support streaming, large file transfers, and video conferencing on multiple Wi-Fi devices simultaneously. Consistent delivery is augmented by the secure SD network infrastructure consisting of the SD Data Center and global Points of Presence (POPs) around the world.
“FlexExec was designed with business jet operators and their passengers in mind,” said Intelsat’s Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Distribution, Mark Rasmussen. “While traveling, passengers expect fast, reliable broadband connectivity with a consistently high level of service – from take-off to landing. By virtue of Intelsat’s FlexExec global, managed service, built upon Intelsat’s multi-layer, redundant network, Satcom Direct can reliably deliver on passenger expectations. The flexibility and economies of scale inherent in FlexExec enable Satcom Direct to differentiate its services and deliver an end-user experience that is second to none.”
As the Master Distributor of the FlexExec service, usage is also supported via the SD Xperience end-to-end business infrastructure. In the air, SD provides the cabin networking hardware to give customers advance network management options. The software delivered by the SD Pro Operating System delivers a variety of benefits including predictive connective mapping, cybersecurity threat monitoring, flight tracking and account management tools amongst other options. On the ground, the FlexExec service is integrated with SD’s support team who are available for activation, provisioning and troubleshooting 24/7, 365 days a year ensuring bandwidth is available wherever customer aircraft are flying. The network architecture is delivered to aircraft via the AeroSat FliteStream™ (T-310) tail-mounted antenna system. The system is initially available for aftermarket aircraft, and installations are offered through approved service centers.
About Satcom Direct: Satcom Direct (SD) and its companies provide global connectivity solutions for business and general aviation, military, government, and head of state aircraft. The company also provides land mobile services to areas with connectivity limitations. Since 1997, SD has worked to advance the technology of global connectivity, being first to market with many new capabilities in communications technology. SD’s industry leading connectivity solutions are complemented by their divisional capabilities including SD cabin and flight deck hardware systems and SD software solutions. A premier Inmarsat distribution partner (including Jet ConneX), Iridium service partner, and Viasat preferred reseller, SD is also the exclusive service provider for SmartSky Networks, and the Master Distributor of Intelsat FlexExec.
SD World Headquarters and primary operations center is located in Melbourne, Florida, with additional office locations in the United States, Canada, UK, UAE, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Australia, Russia, and Brazil. For more information regarding SD, visit www.satcomdirect.com, e-mail [email protected], or call U.S. +1.321.777.3000 or UK +44.1252.554.460.
Media Contacts:
Jane Stanbury
[email protected]
+44 7803 296 046
+1 (438) 998 1668
