Panasonic Selects Newtec as Technology Partner for its Advanced Global Network

St. Niklas, Belgium, November 7, 2016--Newtec and Panasonic Global Communications, a subsidiary of Panasonic Avionics Corporation, today announced that since April of this year they have been working together to develop a new high-speed modem designed for the mobility market, including commercial aviation and maritime. 

Paul Margis, CEO of Panasonic Avionics (left) and Serge van Herck of Newtec (right) holding the high-speed modem Newtec has developed for Panasonic's Global Communications Network.

Speaking for Panasonic, Paul Margis the President and CEO of Panasonic Avionics said that in looking for a partner for this venture, it had been looking for a company that not only had the technical capability, but was also the “best in class” and a company that really believed in the quality of the end product.  Newtec was obviously the right choice, as he described the experience of working together for the last few months as “amazing.”

Frederik Simoens, Newtec CTO, talking about the new board said that this was only the beginning of innovation and the Research and Development teams are now working on new ground segment technology. 

First deployments of the new modem, which is capable of 400 Mbps will begin in North America next year with a “friendly” aviation customer of Panasonic’s.  It is currently going through FAA certification.  The modem is not backwards compatible, but it is size compatible, so the board can be quickly swapped in to existing equipment on a plane.  Panasonic said that there was tremendous demand for the upgraded board amongst existing customers and a significant number had already purchased the modem.   The board includes a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that will enable future software upgrades.  The first release will incorporate DVB-S2X but that will be upgraded as the next version is released. 

The modem is designed to work with High-Throughput Satellites and will give Panasonic customers 20 times the bandwidth they have now, and will expand network capacity from 2,300 MHz today to more than 15,000 MHz by 2017.  It includes three demodulators for seamless beam switching – make before break - and simultaneous data and video reception and is also part of the Newtec Dialog^® multiservice platform.   Obviously the bandwidth available to each passenger will vary, but it is anticipated that each passenger will have the ability to stream video.

Serge Van Herck says on behalf of the Newtec Board of Directors: “Newtec has a proven track-record in delivering high-quality and reliable Satcom solutions. Our partnership with Panasonic will combine next-generation ground segment and satellite technology to deliver the most efficient high-throughput solution to customers across the world.”

Panasonic’s Global Communications network already covers 100 per cent of all major oil and gas hotspots worldwide, 99.6 per cent of aero traffic routes, and greater than 98 percent of global maritime routes worldwide.

Utilizing this network, the modem will enable the consistent delivery of high speed broadband communications and digital entertainment services, including live HD live TV and IP streaming, to all of Panasonic’s markets including air transport, business aviation, maritime, cruise ships, oil, gas and energy.

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