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LiveTV, Eutelsat Sign Agreement to Launch New Ka-Band Satellite Connectivity for Airlines in Europe
[January 21, 2014]

LiveTV, Eutelsat Sign Agreement to Launch New Ka-Band Satellite Connectivity for Airlines in Europe


(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MELBOURNE, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 01/21/14 -- LiveTV, a leading innovator of inflight entertainment and connectivity, and Eutelsat Communications (EURONEXT PARIS: ETL), one of the world's leading satellite operators, have concluded an agreement that clears the way for the installation and distribution of Internet connectivity for airlines in Europe using Ka-band satellites. The agreement allows European airlines to benefit from Eutelsat's Air Access service, which is possible through the high-performance KA-SAT satellite and its ground-operating network.



"Eutelsat is the premier satellite network provider in Europe and their high capacity Ka-band satellites are perfect for aviation service -- better yet they're in-place and ready to go," said Glenn Latta, President of LiveTV. "Our 'At Home in the Air' high-speed Internet service is right around the corner in Europe." The agreement with Eutelsat will provide comprehensive geographic inflight connectivity, from Scandinavia to North Africa, and from Ireland to Russia. Leveraging the high transmission speeds and bandwidth of KA-SAT, Eutelsat Air Access brings high-quality Internet access and video streaming for smartphones, laptops and tablets via onboard WiFi hotspots.

Aer Lingus is scheduled to be the first airline to use Ka-band Air Access service in Europe.


"We are excited about having LiveTV as our Air Access service distributor," said Michel Azibert, Deputy CEO for Eutelsat. "Their history and experience with commercial airlines and Ka-band systems, together with our Air Access service offering will change the face of inflight connectivity for passengers." The first Air Access-certified aircraft is expected to receive a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Supplemental Type Certificate in early 2014. LiveTV received Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) in 2013 for Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-900 aircraft from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to install satellite-based next generation Ka-band inflight airline Internet and streaming entertainment systems. Additional STCs including the Airbus A321 and Boeing 737-800 are in process.

About Eutelsat Established in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (EURONEXT PARIS: ETL) (ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 34 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 32 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service. For more about Eutelsat please visit www.eutelsat.com.

About LiveTV LiveTV, a wholly owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways, is a leading provider of real-time in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial airlines. Founded in 1998 in Melbourne, Florida, LiveTV has installation and maintenance locations around the world to support the more than 630 commercial aircraft with more than 90,000 seats equipped with its products. Current customers include JetBlue, United, Frontier, Alitalia, Virgin Australia, WestJet and Azul. For a full list of products and partners, or for more information, please visit www.livetv.net.

Company Contact:Mike MoellerLiveTV Vice President of Sales and Marketing321-308-3978Media Contact:Michael Miller703-608-2071 Source: LiveTV

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