Inmarsat : WiFi takes to the skies with Inmarsat and roKKi

16 September 2014: Inmarsat and inflight entertainment solutions brand roKKi have together launched the first low-cost inflight connectivity service in the Asia Pacific region.

The roKKi connectivity service, powered by Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband, provides passengers with a revolutionary communication experience that allows them to access messaging applications on their personal mobile device when flying 35,000 feet (10,668 metre) above sea level.

By using a Cobham four-channel satellite communications system that offers total throughout of up to 1.3mbps, roKKi has been able to successfully develop a low-cost, lightweight system that offers a seamless instant messaging experience similar to that on the ground.

The service is currently being deployed on AirAsia aircraft, which is the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia, servicing an extensive network of 88 destinations

"As the first service provider to launch a four-channel system on a commercial airline, we're running the fastest Inmarsat SwiftBroadband service available in the industry today," said Sami El Hadery, roKKi's executive director.

"Our connectivity service is lightweight yet robust. It has the capacity to support multiple concurrent users, as proven in our successful user acceptance test that had 120 passengers using the system."

As part of a continuous effort to provide innovative communication solutions on board, roKKi will expand its connectivity service to provide access to emails and social media that's set to roll out in phases in 2015.

"This relationship shows the breadth of Inmarsat's portfolio," said Leo Mondale, President Aviation, Inmarsat. "SwiftBroadband is the perfect connectivity support for the roKKi solution."