Cost considerations : flat rate service plans create new economies of scale
Stanley notes that one of the biggest issues he sees in the industry is confusion by business jet operators about the cost of using – or upgrading to – JX . While there are upfront installation and hardware costs associated with moving to JX , service contracts are based on a fixed , flat fee basis or an “ all the data you can consume ” pricing model . That ’ s a key differentiator from existing connectivity options , which are typically based on per megabyte pricing .
“ As a flat rate service , JX changes the dynamic because it eliminates the need to manage cost on a per trip or per month basis . So , depending on the frequency of flight , JX could be a much more economical way to provide connectivity services to the cabin .”
Smart cabin routers make a big difference
While passengers experience the speed and performance benefits of JX , new smart routers help business jet operators better manage the use of voice and data on board the aircraft – and more . But not all routers are created equal .
As aircraft get more sophisticated , they may have several connectivity solutions onboard . For example , perhaps JX for high throughput cabin connectivity , Inmarsat ’ s SwiftBroadband for the flight deck as well as another for air-to-ground communications . “ No one wants to get on board the aircraft and see multiple networks to choose from – they just want one ,” said Stanley . “ And that ’ s what Rockwell Collins ’ airborne data router does : it creates one network with the ability to prioritize traffic to effectively manage an entire suite of connectivity options through one device .”
A smart cabin router can also have a big impact on minimizing costs . Rockwell Collins routes data based on the lowest cost given the available networks , and the company ’ s airborne router knows which service or technology to prioritize based on the location of the aircraft . “ So if you ’ re on the ground , our airborne data router switches off of SATCOM and goes to GSM ( Global System for Mobile Communications ) because it ’ s a lot less expensive than using up satellite megabytes ,” said Stanley .
Think of the future growth
Technology is changing so quickly that , “ You need to consider your needs not only today but in the future .” Rockwell Collins ’ airborne data router is modular in design , so it has been architected for future grown . “ Essentially , the router is really designed for the life of an aircraft . Regardless of what new technology comes down the road , its flexible design allows operators to adapt .”
Do the homework
Thinking about transitioning to JX ? “ While the move to new connectivity solutions is exciting , you need to do your homework ,” cautions Stanley . “ We ’ re moving from basic satellite connectivity solutions on aircraft to literally creating an airborne network . Take your time and do the research . Business aviation operators need the expertise of a company like Rockwell Collins to be able to architect , configure and troubleshoot that network so they get the best results possible .”
For information on how JX from ARINCDirect can transform your cabin connectivity experience , contact sales @ arinc . com .
ARINCDirect SM airborne data router