Inmarsat, British satellite company, has chosen Greece and the country’s largest telecommunications provider OTE to install the terrestrial satellite station of the European Aviation Network (EAN). The service will offer high-speed inflight connectivity for Europe from a Satellite Access Station (SAS) to be set up in Nemea, the Peloponnese.

After the completion of the project, aircraft will be able to switch automatically between satellite and terrestrial connectivity using an onboard network communicator for optimal service delivery. The deal will mean that airlines will be able to offer reliable high-speed onboard internet access to passengers across Europe’s high-traffic flight paths, utilizing Inmarsat’s 30MHz S-band spectrum allocation in the EU28.

As a result, Greece will be the first aviation passenger connectivity solution in the EU to combine an advanced satellite network and LTE-based ground network.

“The European Aviation Network is an important development for Inmarsat, for the aviation industry, and for Europe,” said Leo Mondale, President of Inmarsat Aviation.  “OTE, as the existing operator of our Global Xpress SAS in Nemea, has already demonstrated its abilities as a successful and efficient supplier for Inmarsat. We are delighted to extend the partnership with our new EAN satellite access station, especially as the weather conditions in Nemea are optimal for high-quality feeder links.”