In cooperation with China Satellite Communications, Co. Ltd. (China Satcom), Viasat Inc., a global communications company, today announced the mobility network in China, which uses Viasat’s innovative in-flight connectivity (IFC) equipment working over the Ka-band ChinaSat-16 satellite system, is now operational to meet the IFC needs of domestic and international airlines operating into and out of Chinese airspace. Viasat in-flight

With the network deployment now complete, tested and operational, Viasat and China Satcom are well-positioned to meet the growing IFC demands in China—the second largest aviation market in the world, according to research from the International Air Transport Association.

Successful network deployment means the network is ready to launch IFC services for Chinese airlines and can, very soon, enable Viasat’s global airline customers to offer passengers a seamless roaming connectivity experience when flying into, over and out of China. The regional access in China to Viasat’s IFC service means airline customers can choose to offer streaming videos or music, browsing the internet, access to social media, messaging and other apps — just as they do in many other regions of the world.

“Working with China Satcom, we have achieved a great milestone— delivering strong customer performance gains in terms of network speed and reliability at any phase of a flight, which provides an on-the-ground internet experience even when in-flight,” said Don Buchman, Viasat’s vice president and general manager, Commercial Aviation. “The effort committed to by both teams has been tremendous and showcases the capabilities of Viasat’s industry-leading technology with China Satcom’s satellite capacity.”

In addition to optimizing passengers’ connected experiences when in-flight, the Viasat network also enables airline customers to enhance passenger loyalty, improve operating efficiencies and increase revenue generating opportunities through ancillary content and application programs.

Viasat’s agreement with partner China Satcom specifically covers commercial aviation IFC. In partnership, each company maintains its own intellectual property and will operate its equipment using a multi-layered approach to network services. Viasat in-flight