JetBlue intends to get into the airline broadband business through its LiveTV subsidiary and a partnership with satellite and wireless communications provider ViaSat.
The airline revealed its intentions about the new business line as it announced it completed a memorandum of understanding to have ViaSat provide in-flight broadband access and other services to JetBlue's fleet of more than 160 Embraer E190 and Airbus A320 aircraft.
JetBlue says it hopes to sign a definitive agreement with ViaSat before the end of 2010.
Under the MOU, ViaSat would provide Ka-band satellite bandwidth services, with two-way transmission, to the aircraft using WildBlue-1 and ViaSat-1 satellites.
LiveTV, which JetBlue acquired in 2002, would handle integrating the ViaSat broadband onboard the aircraft and LiveTV also would install Wi-Fi service in the cabins, JetBlue says.
JetBlue says this type of broadband satellite service "will be the first of its kind for commercial aviation" and thus is subject to Federal Aviation Administration approval prior to installation, which is expected to begin mid-way through 2012.
"ViaSat is able to provide true broadband bandwidth with speeds and capacity not seen before in the commercial aviation marketplace," says JetBlue spokesman Mateo Lleras. "Ground-based systems can’t scale to meet the bandwidth needs of advancements in personal technology, especially the bandwidth volume needed (as opposed to just speed) as more and more passengers begin to share the connection."
JetBlue also says it intends to partner with ViaSat to bring Ka-band satellite broadband services to the airline industry, including LiveTV's existing roster of airline clients.
LiveTV's clients include Continental, Frontier, WestJet, AirTran, VirginBlue,ExpressJet, Air One and Blue Wings.
"Combing LiveTV's expertise in entertainment and content management with ViaSat's satellite technology means we can create products and services for airline customers that are unparalleled in the industy today," says Glenn Latta, LiveTV president.