[Satellite TODAY Insider 10-17-11] Gulf Air is looking to raise the stakes of its in-flight connectivity and entertainment business, launching its new Sky Hub service featuring in-flight live TV delivered via satellite, the Middle East airline announced Oct. 14.

   Gulf Air is now installing Panasonic’s Global Communications suite to support service on the first aircraft and plans to integrate the solution across its entire fleet progressively, according to Gulf Air CEO Samer Majali.

   “We are bringing to you, for the first time in the world, fully integrated broadband connectivity offering high-speed Internet with high-speed Wi-Fi and data services, voice over the Internet (VOIP), streaming videos and the world’s first in-flight live TV satellite stream across continents,” Majali said in a statement

   The company is working with Panasonic Avionics to provide two-way broadband connectivity at speeds of up to 50 Mbps to the aircraft. The service aims to enable faster browsing, chatting and other Internet based services, in addition to live and uninterrupted television services on routes across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

In a recent interview with Satellite TODAY Insider, Panasonic Avionics Vice President David Bruner said that the in-flight market’s tipping point had now been reached as many airlines have signaled a readiness to adopt the service.

   “You will see that some of the 12 to 15 contract partners we’ve signed are committed to adding more aircraft to their existing commitments. You will probably see another 15 to 20 airlines making that commitment over the next year,” said Bruner. “I also think you will see as many committed to our competitors. I can see 30 or more airlines making a commitment over that time. The top 50 to 60 airlines in the world will all have made a decision, at least in terms of the fleets they expect to operate over the next 10 years or so and are the work horses of their fleet.”