Bombardier has begun initial deliveries of Globals equipped with its new Wave (Wireless Access Virtually Everywhere) Ka-band satcom that incorporates Inmarsat JetConnex broadband along with Honeywell JetWave satcom hardware. Last year, the company became the first business jet manufacturer to announce plans to offer the system as an option and it has since secured Transport Canada certification for installation in the Global family.

In addition to new installations, the Canadian manufacturer has made the Wave system available for retrofit, and the first installation, on a Global 5000, was recently completed at the company’s Singapore center. The first few systems have been helping to beta-test the JetConnex broadband that is ready to go live. Zetta Jet, which operates a fleet of Globals, was the first customer to take delivery of the system from Bombardier.

“This system represents a breakthrough moment in business aviation,” said Kristin Slyker, v-p of business and general aviation at Honeywell Aerospace. “With the Bombardier Ka-band system, Global aircraft passengers can count on a fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection even when they are flying over oceans on long-haul flights.”

Noting that the service provides speeds of up to 15 Mbps, Jean-Christophe Gallagher, who recently took the role of v-p and general manager of customer experience at Bombardier, added, “It is truly like in your home. You don’t have to preload your movies. In the middle of the Atlantic you can to the iTunes store and download. That’s the expectations of our customers.”

The Wave system will work in concert with the Rockwell Collins Venue cabin management service on board Global 5000s and 6000s, providing a range of entertainment and business capabilities.

“The demand for data has just gone exponential,” said Andy Nureddin, v-p of customer support and training for Bombardier Business Aircraft.