Once final terms are reached, Panasonic will install its broadband Ku-band solution eXConnect, eXPhone and the eXTV live television network across the entire Gulf Air Fleet. The retrofitting will be implemented progressively across the airline’s fleet beginning in September and will take two years to complete, Panasonic said.

   The Panasonic system aims to provide integrated broadband connectivity that offers high speed Internet, 3G-4G mobile data speed connectivity, voice-over-IP and an in-flight live TV satellite stream across continents.

   “We have selected [Panasonic] after evaluating several other systems that would meet our requirement and fit in with our new strategy. This is a perfect choice as it not only offers our customers technologically superior, integrated voice, video, data, telephony and television programs — all in hi-speed broadband connectivity — but also assures our passengers a consistently high-quality product across our fleet,” Gulf Air CEO Samer Majali said in a statement.