Panasonic Avionics Corporation Adds Coverage and Capacity to Its Global Ku Aeronautical Network with Yamal-201 Satellite

[Lake Forest, CA — January 27, 2012] Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic), the world leader in-flight entertainment and communications (IFEC), today announced that it has commissioned and tested its new service on the Yamal 201 Russian satellite via its partner RuSat’s teleport in Moscow, Russia.

The Russian satellite is a strategic addition to the company’s global aeronautical broadband network because it provides essential service for aircraft routes from Europe to Asia. With the Yamal 201 satellite, the more than 1,200 aircraft that have been committed to Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite will be able to fly around the globe, above the equator, with uninterrupted broadband coverage from the company’s Ku-band network.

Paul Margis, Chief Executive Officer for Panasonic Avionics Corporation said, «We are now only a few months away from completing the world’s first global Ku frequency, high bandwidth aeronautical network. We are very excited to see our powerful broadband network offer global, uninterrupted in-flight connectivity, and look forward to helping our customers use broadband connectivity to enhance operational efficiencies and the in-flight entertainment experience.»

Panasonic’s Global Communications Suite system provides two-way broadband connectivity to an aircraft. It supports a wide range of passenger and crew applications including in-flight broadband Internet access over Wi-Fi to passengers, and mobile phone service offered in collaboration with Aeromobile. Panasonic’s in-flight connectivity service also includes the first and only global live television service to offer content from BBC World News, BBC Arabic, Bloomberg Television, NHK World Premium, France 24, Euronews, IMG Media’s Barclays’ Premiere League Channel, and IMG Media’s Sport 24. Today, there are more than 1,200 aircraft that have been committed to Panasonic’s global broadband service.