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Air-to-ground (A2G) in-flight connectivity specialist SkyFive is partnering with Freedom Telecom to create an A2G network in Kazakhstan, forming part of SkyFive’s plans to develop a belt of interoperable A2G networks spanning from Europe to China.
A2G works from land-based masts, meaning aircraft can be fitted with smaller lower-drag antennas, making it faster and cheaper than satellite-based connectivity. However, as A2G is ground-based, it cannot typically cover large bodies of water, like oceans.
On April 8, SkyFive announced a memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan telecoms provider Freedom Telecom to develop an A2G network in Kazakhstan. Freedom Telecom secured regulatory approvals earlier this year, and the partners are now set to deploy A2G coverage on Kazakhstan’s main air route.
SkyFive described Kazakhstan as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in Asia, and a key overflight corridor.
“Aircraft in the region are largely unconnected,” SkyFive said. “Foreign airlines equipped with A2G will be seamlessly able to roam into the new network, which will be compatible with other SkyFive A2G networks.”
SkyFive is one of the partners behind the European Aviation Network (EAN), which is an integrated A2G and satellite network. It also has a second A2G network in Saudi Arabia, and others under development in Australia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Türkiye.
“Kazakhstan is important in its own right,” SkyFive CCO Dirk Lindemeier said. “[This] represents a significant step toward a contiguous A2G corridor across the Eurasian supercontinent and is a major addition to our global A2G footprint.”
SkyFive recently signed a new roaming agreement, meaning passengers will be able to connect seamlessly between SkyFive’s A2G networks. For example, Lufthansa passengers using EAN will be able to use SkyFive’s Middle East A2G.
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