Images: EAN - First Flight and First Live Connection

EAN S-band satellite construction was completed in mid-2016 by Thales Alenia Space.

EAN S-band satellite was launched from Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana in June 2017.

EAN S-band satellite in orbit and fully operational since September 2017.

The integrated EAN ground network component consists of about 300 LTE base stations across the 28 EU member states, plus Switzerland and Norway.

EAN’s ground network is quite different from “normal” LTE networks: it can work at speeds of up to 1,200 km/h and at heights of 10 km to reach the airplanes overhead.

Dramatic view of an EAN ground network base station on Monte Generoso, Switzerland.

Ice and snow are common throughout a significant part of the year in Norway. EAN antennas are equipped to survive extreme temperatures of up to -40 C. (Source: https://brandcentre.norkring.com/image-bank/working-at-sites/)

Europe’s highest EAN antenna in Säntis, Switzerland towers 2610 m above ground.

 The EAN Satellite Access Station located in Nemea, Greece serves as a gateway between the EAN S-band satellite and the Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) terminal on aircraft.

The EAN ACGC (Aviation Complementary Ground Component) LTE antenna (right) provides the communication to the ground network, while the EAN Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) terminal (left) communicates with the S-band satellite.

The small and lightweight ACGC module sits at the bottom of the aircraft’s hull and is designed to minimize aerodynamic resistance.

International Airlines Group (IAG), which includes British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling, is EAN’s launch customer. British Airways passengers will be the first to enjoy the EAN service from mid-2018. (Source: A321 in flight http://mediacentre.britishairways.com/imagelibrary/categories)

The first EAN test flight in the UK mid-November was a roaring success. The team worked hard to ensure every detail was prepared.

We’ve done it! The team in Stuttgart, Germany achieves the EAN’s first live connection between the on-board equipment of an aircraft – here still in the boot of a moving van – and an LTE NodeB (base station) earlier this month ahead of the first test flight.

One of the EAN antenna sites above Stuttgart. The white antenna and the remote radio heads - attached to mast below - are in position to provide EAN coverage for the city and its surroundings.