Inmarsat has formed a strategic collaboration with Panasonic Avionics to provide broadband in-flight connectivity (IFC) services to the global commercial aviation industry.

The ten-year agreement will benefit the airlines, plane manufacturers and passengers.

Under the deal, Inmarsat will become the exclusive provider of Panasonic’s Ka-band IFC for the commercial aviation customers. Panasonic will be able to offer Inmarsat’s high-speed, broadband connectivity service, GX Aviation.

Panasonic will also invest in its own network and will use GX Aviation as a primary offering for its existing and future customers.

The agreement will also enable Inmarsat to offer Panasonic’s services and NEXT Online solutions to its commercial aviation customers.

Customer support services offered by Panasonic’s Customer Performance Center and Technical Services units are also included in the deal.

“Our highly complementary collaboration with Panasonic combines the unique expertise and proven capabilities of both companies to create a market-leading in-flight connectivity.”

The partners have already deployed a combined solution to one of their mutual customers.

Inmarsat CEO Rupert Pearce said: “Our highly complementary collaboration with Panasonic combines the unique expertise and proven capabilities of both companies to create a market-leading in-flight connectivity offer for aircraft manufacturers, airlines and their passengers.

“IFC is a substantial and fast-emerging sector where the quality of customer experience is paramount. Reliable, high-quality IFC is no longer a luxury for passengers, but an expectation, and will play a vital role in securing an airline’s competitive position in a market.”

Inmarsat and Panasonic are expected to partner to develop a new GX Aviation terminal, new connectivity-enabled services, data analytics and technology to enhance overall end-to-end performance.

Using the proposed service, airlines are expected to obtain new and improved solutions to address various challenges such as capacity, coverage and compatibility.