Inmarsat and Panasonic Avionics Corp.'s agreement to work together on securing new airline customers for inflight entertainment and connectivity marks a "tectonic shift" in a relatively untapped but rapidly growing market, affording both companies a competitive position that neither could have achieved alone, Inmarsat Chief Executive Rupert Pearce tells Aviation Week.The two entities announced on Sept. 20 that they had agreed to strategically collaborate for an initial 10-year period, combining their broadband inflight connectivity, entertainment and digital services capabilities to partner in going after new business.The surprise move brings together two former archrivals with differing satellite strategies-Inmarsat provides K_a-band satellite services while Panasonic has invested heavily in developing a global K_u-band network. Under the deal, Inmarsat will become Panasonic's exclusive provider of K_a-band connectivity, with the former's GX Aviation service becoming the "primary offering for new business."
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