SmartSky Unveils Launch of ATG Private Intranet for Enhanced Connectivity

Innovative air-to-ground (ATG) in-flight connectivity provider SmartSky Networks has launched its SmartSky Private Intranet routing powered by its Skytelligence services platform.

According to SmatSky, the Private Intranet (PI) is deployed using an aircraft interface device (AID) and routes data traffic privately to and from the aircraft using SmartSky’s next-generation network and patented beamforming technology that assigns a separate connection to each aircraft with no bandwidth sharing like what is found on other airborne networks.

Once the data traffic reaches the SmartSky ground network, it is securely routed through one of the company’s three private data centres directly to the customer’s corporate enterprise network giving aircraft owners and operators the option for their in-flight data traffic to completely bypass the internet and to determine how and when it is routed externally.

SmartSky says its PI enables the aircraft to function as a true node on the customer’s corporate enterprise network instead of as an exception. The solution is made possible by the company’s proprietary Skytelligence services layer that connects the AID to the SmartSky ATG network and moves the customer’s data traffic according to their specifications.

This combination represents the first-ever end-to-end private inflight Wi-Fi connection, according to SmartSky, and makes a VPN unnecessary when using the airborne network and secures not only the transfer of data to and from the cabin but also all other aircraft data transferred while in flight.

Sean Reilly, Vice President for Digital Solutions and Air Transport commented: “The capability for Private Internet showcases several dimensions of the way SmartSky is changing inflight connectivity beyond the cabin, enabling new levels of privacy, security, and performance for the entire aircraft and the industry. SmartSky PI is enabling the connected aircraft, today.

“It gives an organisation’s IT department complete oversight and control of inflight data transmissions of users onboard, greatly enhancing information security and data sovereignty versus what is available with legacy ATG and satellite systems in use today. In a world where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and complex, SmartSky’s Private Intranet helps aircraft operators to have confidence that their inflight communications and data are secured, simplifying compliance with Aircraft Network Security Programmes.

“Skytelligence helps us move the right data to the right place at the right time with a secure connection, whether that’s data from the aircraft with an AID, data from FAA SWIM, or data from any of our partners.”