SITA becomes first global mobile data services provider for air transport industry
GENEVA/PARIS – 16 June, 2011
SITA and Orange Business Services sign agreement for global 2G/3G connectivity
SITA today announced that it has become the world’s first global mobile data
services provider dedicated to the air transport industry. Through a partnership
agreement with Orange Business Services, the air transport communications specialist
is providing global data connectivity to airlines enabling the secure use of mobile
data, machine-to-machine (M2M) and application to person (A2P) technologies worldwide.
Orange Business Services and its International M2M Centre (IMC) is supplying
SITA with 2G/3G data connectivity with extensive availability and international
coverage that includes in excess of 400 roaming agreements in more than 180 countries.
This connectivity has the added advantage of 100% national roaming so that SITA’s
airline customers always benefit from the best, and most cost-effective, network.
SITA already provides a mobile workforce solution to airlines that are today
embracing mobile data applications such as electronic flight bags (EFBs), wireless
bag management and mobile passenger applications. By becoming the first global
mobile data services provider for the industry, SITA now delivers a one-stop-shop
solution that includes middleware, managed devices, Wi-Fi connectivity at airports
and global 3G data connectivity.
Francesco Violante, CEO, SITA said: “As the adoption of mobile devices and data
transfer soars worldwide, the air transport industry requires a high-performing,
cost-effective service that provides consistent connectivity globally. SITA has
partnered with Orange Business Services because it provides global coverage at
competitive rates. Together we are combining this high standard of data connectivity
with SITA’s knowledge of the air transport industry to make the use of mobile
applications most effective.”
Vivek Badrinath, Senior Executive Vice President for Enterprise Services at France
Telecom Orange and CEO of Orange Business Services, said: “We are proud to add
mobile data connectivity to our ten-year partnership with SITA on a large portfolio
of telecommunications services. And we are happy to provide Orange’s extensive
experience of over ten years in M2M as well as the expertise developed by our
International M2M Centre and the key role our group plays in M2M standardization.
Combined with SITA’s industry expertise, it will provide the air transport industry
with a service that is specifically designed for this unique sector.
“Thanks to more than 400 roaming agreements and central monitoring capabilities,
the headache of negotiating and managing multiple agreements in different regions
will be eliminated for airlines. In addition, our capacity to provide several
network partners in a single country, and to connect airline data centres via
Orange’s global MPLS network, will ensure that airlines will always get both the
best quality and the most economical service in any country with secured connections
everywhere in the world.”
The size of the mobile data market is significant and growing 25% annually; according
to Berg Insight more than 187 million cellular connections are expected in 2014
. To effectively handle this scale of traffic requires not only connectivity but
also a close understanding of application and context specifics. SITA’s service,
designed for the unique needs of the global air transport industry, includes end-to-end
infrastructure, a managed SIMs supply chain and self-care administration portal
for optimized use.
Violante added: “SITA believes that the industry is crying out for a global secure
network for mobile devices. In particular, performance and security are concerns
for critical applications such as EFBs which are used to download flight plans
and other data for pilots. Our new service, SITA Mobile Data Access, provides
by default an access point name (APN) to each customer and can offer virtual private
network (VPN) tunnels to ensure the security for such M2M data communications.”
SITA now offers the industry all major connectivity technology: wireline, Wi-Fi
and cellular (2G/3G) and is providing wireless connectivity in more than 180 countries.
About SITA
SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and IT
solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport,
GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive network, which
forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.
SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing
services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger
operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications,
airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security
and border management, cargo operations and more.
With a customer service team of over 2,000 staff around the world, SITA invests
significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated
local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.
SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight
connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely
to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the
air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath
for secure electronic identity management.
SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is
based on local presence, with services for over 550 air transport industry members
and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Set up in 1949 with
11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities,
speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.49
billion (€1.07 billion) in 2009.
For further information go to www.sita.aero
About Orange Business Services
Orange Business Services, the France Telecom-Orange branch dedicated to B2B services,
is a leading global integrator of communications solutions for multinational corporations.
With the world's largest, seamless network for voice and data, Orange Business
Services reaches 220 countries and territories with local support in 166. Offering
a comprehensive package of communication services covering cloud computing, enterprise
mobility, M2M, security, unified communications, videoconferencing, and broadband,
Orange Business Services delivers a best-in-class customer experience across a
global landscape. Thousands of enterprise customers and 1.4 million mobile data
users rely on an Orange Business Services international platform for communicating
and conducting business. Orange Business Services is a four-time winner of Best
Global Operator at the World Communication Awards. Learn more at www.orange-business.com
France Telecom-Orange is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators
with 170,000 employees worldwide and sales of 11.2 billion euros in the first
quarter 2011. Orange is the Group's single brand for Internet, television and
mobile services in the majority of countries where the company operates. France
Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New
York Stock Exchange.
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material
are trade marks of Orange Brand Services Limited, Orange France or France Telecom.