GEE Launches Bundled IFEC Solution AIR Series
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Global Eagle Entertainment (GEE) announced Wednesday that it is launching a series of branded products and services to expand its current areas of business in connectivity, digital media, content services, and operations data.
This news comes two months after the Los Angeles-based IFEC provider announced their development of a new Ku/Ku HTS antenna to meet the demand for hi-speed Wi-Fi onboard. Earlier this month, GEE and Air China launched a live television test flight, airing live programming from Xinhua News Agency using GEE’s Ku-band connectivity system.
“In an ideal world, which is really the world that we’re striving for and that I think we’re executing on quite well, you both enhance the passenger experience and create a monetization opportunity,” says Alexis Steinman, SVP digital products, GEE.
“Take audio for example. It can be a service you provide on an airplane but you can also brand it and even tie it into a service that exists on the ground, similar to what we’re doing with Beats. It’s an opportunity for Beats to get customers that they would not otherwise be able to talk to.”
The suite will be introduced with its own visual identity and name called GEE AIR Series that will include:
AIRconnect: Ku-band satellite hardware that allows gate-to-gate connectivity and is currently available on more than 640 aircraft.
AIRtime: Wireless connection that runs on AIRconnect and enables passengers to watch live television, live-message and stream on their mobile devices with opportunities for airlines to generate revenue by advertising through this platform.
AIRtime Lite: Offline-wireless catalogue of video-on-demand and other entertainment options like near-live sports and news that are updated multiple times a day through cellular ground connection.
AIRworks: Software for wireless IFE, live TV and near-live content platforms, along with content technical support services and more.
WISE: End-to-end software and content solution for maintenance operators, repair and overhaul services. WISE provides the wireless IFE backbone to GEE’s third party product developments and solutions.
AIRside: Low-cost mobile app that allows passengers to download content securely to their devices prior to taking off. The app requires their personal booking information for the content to be released.
AIRgames: Catalogue of in-house-developed games and exclusive content from EA and Disney available on seatback and wireless devices.
AIRread: Digital library of 6,500 digital magazines, newspapers and books available in more than 50 languages.
AIRshop and AIRmeal: In-flight catalogues that allow passengers to browse the in-flight menu and make purchases onboard.
AIRview: A management tool that allows airline crew and partners to monitor and report technical data such as operations and aircraft position, to marketing data on ad campaign performance and inventory levels.
And airlines will have the choice to pick and choose which services they want. “Some [airlines] have expressed very different needs… All the scenarios are possible,” explains Steinman.
Look out for additional news on the GEE AIR Series at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany on April 14-16th, 2015.