Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic) and Lufthansa Technik have won the right to retro-fit all in-service A380s with Panasonic’s advanced Global Communications Services.

The joint agreement allows in-service A380s to be equipped and certified with Panasonic’s broadband connectivity and mobile phone services. It is the first time that Airbus has allowed this type of communications hardware to be retrofitted onto this unique airframe type.
With Panasonic’s Global Communications Services, passengers will be able to access the internet, log into their favorite social networks and watch live, global television content with Panasonic’s eXTV service, which includes BBC World News, BBC Arabic, CNBC, CNN International, NHK World, Euronews, and IMG Media’s Sport 24.  They will also be able to use their mobile phones to send and receive phone calls or text messages and to use GPRS services.
The first customer will be Lufthansa, with the installation being undertaken by Lufthansa Technik.
David Bruner, Vice President for Global Communications Services at Panasonic Avionics, said: “With this agreement we have made great progress with Lufthansa Technik towards providing this very important service to our airline customers and their passengers. We can now provide our broadband services on every aircraft type, which has always been our goal.”
Bernd Freckmann, Vice President, Base Maintenance Services for Lufthansa Technik, said: “We are very pleased to partner with Panasonic Avionics as they have an established wide A380 Customer base of high-quality in-flight entertainment and communications services.”
With installations beginning in 2014, the developed platform complies with current manufacturer and industry standards allowing full commonality with a concurrent line fit installation.

Panasonic Avionics press release