Alcatel-Lucent: Expanding Reach with LTE Technology

French global telecommunications equipment company Alcatel-Lucent has teamed with British satellite company Inmarsat to develop Long-Term Evolution (LTE) air-to-ground technology. This new, fully-integrated telecommunications network is set to deliver high-speed broadband services to commercial and business aviation passengers across the European Union. It is scheduled to be put in circulation by the end of 2016, and the one-of-a-kind network would give Europe the most modern passenger aviation connectivity.

The capabilities of the network will surpass those available in North America—offering in-flight broadband connectivity rates of 75 Mbps. The satellite communications teamed with the LTE ground infrastructure make it the first true hybrid aviation network, according to Inmarsat. Inmarsat Aviation's president, Leo Mondale, believes travelers will embrace the new technology, as it “[offers] their passengers access to online services for work or leisure using their own devices and with reliability and speeds previously only available on the ground."

With 4G-LTE, first responders can communicate, collaborate and operate with each other, no matter where they are or what device they are using—thus, improving and offering quicker and more precise communication.

The Alcatel-Lucent end-to-end Public Safety LTE solution is based on the lightRadio LTE RAN equipment and operates in:

• The 380-470 MHz band: Evercor, the Integrated LTE 400 PMR solution developed in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space enables a smooth introduction of broadband services into existing TETRA /TETRAPOL networks
• The 700 MHz (band 14) for North America: Mobile Broadband for FirstNet in US and for Canada
• Any other commercial bands ranging from 700 MHz to 2,6 GHz in countries where such spectrum can be used by Public Safety

With so many different ways to connect, it’s no wonder why these two communication giants are trying to lead the way in connectivity during flights. Whether it be for an emergency, or someone who just wants to stay up to date, they are making it all the more possible with these advancements in air-to-ground technology.

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