Hughes Completes Agreement with Airbus to Become Ka-band Managed Service Provider for HBCplus
Hughes Network Systems (Nasdaq: SATS) has finalized an agreement with Airbus to become an official Managed Service Provider (MSP) within the HBCplus in-flight connectivity ecosystem. The partnership enables Hughes to offer its solutions through the Airbus catalogue, providing airlines with enhanced connectivity options.
As an end-to-end Ka-band managed service provider, Hughes will integrate its global satellite capacity across GEO satellites with plans to include Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) integration and comprehensive polar coverage. The company's offering promises airlines scalable and flexible business models with consistent, reliable connectivity, including coverage for polar routes.
Hughes Network Systems (Nasdaq: SATS) ha finalizzato un accordo con Airbus per diventare un fornitore ufficiale di servizi gestiti (MSP) all'interno dell'ecosistema di connettività in volo HBCplus. Questa partnership consente a Hughes di offrire le proprie soluzioni attraverso il catalogo di Airbus, fornendo alle compagnie aeree opzioni di connettività migliorate.
In qualità di fornitore di servizi gestiti Ka-band end-to-end, Hughes integrerà la propria capacità satellitare globale attraverso satelliti GEO, con piani per includere l'integrazione con Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) e una copertura polare completa. L'offerta dell'azienda promette alle compagnie aeree modelli di business scalabili e flessibili con connettività costante e affidabile, inclusa la copertura per le rotte polari.
Hughes Network Systems (Nasdaq: SATS) ha finalizado un acuerdo con Airbus para convertirse en un proveedor oficial de servicios gestionados (MSP) dentro del ecosistema de conectividad en vuelo HBCplus. Esta asociación permite a Hughes ofrecer sus soluciones a través del catálogo de Airbus, proporcionando a las aerolíneas opciones de conectividad mejoradas.
Como proveedor de servicios gestionados Ka-band de extremo a extremo, Hughes integrará su capacidad satelital global a través de satélites GEO, con planes para incluir la integración con Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) y una cobertura polar completa. La oferta de la empresa promete a las aerolíneas modelos de negocio escalables y flexibles con conectividad constante y confiable, incluida la cobertura para rutas polares.
휴즈 네트워크 시스템즈 (Nasdaq: SATS)는 에어버스와 협약을 체결하여 HBCplus 비행 중 연결성 생태계 내 공식 관리 서비스 제공업체(MSP)가 되었습니다. 이 파트너십을 통해 휴즈는 에어버스 카탈로그를 통해 솔루션을 제공하여 항공사에 향상된 연결 옵션을 제공합니다.
엔드 투 엔드 Ka-band 관리 서비스 제공업체로서 휴즈는 GEO 위성을 통해 글로벌 위성 용량을 통합하고 저지구 궤도(LEO) 통합 및 포괄적인 극지방 커버리지를 포함할 계획입니다. 회사의 제안은 항공사에 일관되고 신뢰할 수 있는 연결성을 제공하며, 극지방 노선에 대한 커버리지도 포함된 확장 가능하고 유연한 비즈니스 모델을 약속합니다.
Hughes Network Systems (Nasdaq: SATS) a finalisé un accord avec Airbus pour devenir un fournisseur de services gérés (MSP) officiel au sein de l'écosystème de connectivité en vol HBCplus. Ce partenariat permet à Hughes d'offrir ses solutions via le catalogue d'Airbus, fournissant aux compagnies aériennes des options de connectivité améliorées.
En tant que fournisseur de services gérés en bande Ka de bout en bout, Hughes intégrera sa capacité satellitaire mondiale à travers des satellites GEO, avec des plans pour inclure l'intégration avec Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) et une couverture polaire complète. L'offre de l'entreprise promet aux compagnies aériennes des modèles commerciaux évolutifs et flexibles avec une connectivité constante et fiable, y compris une couverture pour les routes polaires.
Hughes Network Systems (Nasdaq: SATS) hat eine Vereinbarung mit Airbus abgeschlossen, um offizieller Managed Service Provider (MSP) im HBCplus In-Flight Connectivity Ecosystem zu werden. Diese Partnerschaft ermöglicht es Hughes, seine Lösungen über den Airbus-Katalog anzubieten und den Fluggesellschaften verbesserte Konnektivitätsoptionen bereitzustellen.
Als End-to-End Ka-Band Managed Service Provider wird Hughes seine globale Satellitenkapazität über GEO-Satelliten integrieren und plant, die Integration von Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) und umfassende polare Abdeckung hinzuzufügen. Das Angebot des Unternehmens verspricht den Fluggesellschaften skalierbare und flexible Geschäftsmodelle mit konsistenter, zuverlässiger Konnektivität, einschließlich der Abdeckung für polare Routen.
- Strategic partnership with major aircraft manufacturer Airbus expands market reach
- Integration into Airbus catalogue provides direct access to airline customers
- Expansion of service offering to include end-to-end Ka-band managed services
- Implementation timeline for LEO integration and polar coverage remains undefined
- Potential capital investments needed for infrastructure expansion not disclosed
Insights
Hughes Network Systems' agreement with Airbus marks a significant expansion in the in-flight connectivity market. This partnership positions Hughes as an end-to-end Ka-band managed service provider within Airbus' HBCplus ecosystem, creating a substantial revenue opportunity in the growing aviation connectivity sector.
The strategic value extends beyond immediate revenue potential. By securing a place in the Airbus catalogue, Hughes gains direct access to global airlines purchasing Airbus aircraft. This creates a powerful distribution channel that bypasses traditional sales cycles and positions Hughes against established competitors like Inmarsat and Viasat.
What's particularly notable is Hughes' technology roadmap, which includes Low-Earth Orbit integration and polar route coverage. These capabilities address critical gaps in current in-flight connectivity solutions. Polar coverage specifically solves a significant pain point for long-haul carriers operating trans-polar routes between North America and Asia, where connectivity has traditionally been
The dual role as both managed service provider and technology provider for satellite components creates valuable synergies, allowing Hughes to capture revenue at multiple points in the value chain. For EchoStar's satellite business, this represents a strategic pivot toward higher-margin service offerings rather than pure infrastructure plays.
This Airbus partnership represents a strategic market expansion for Hughes/EchoStar beyond their traditional consumer and enterprise satellite broadband businesses. The aviation connectivity market has been dominated by specialized players, and this agreement establishes Hughes as a credible competitor with immediate access to Airbus' substantial customer base.
The technical aspects deserve careful attention. Hughes' commitment to a multi-orbit strategy combining GEO (Geostationary) satellites with LEO (Low Earth Orbit) integration is technically sophisticated. This hybrid approach delivers the bandwidth advantages of GEO satellites with the lower latency benefits of LEO systems – crucial for supporting real-time applications demanded by airline passengers.
From a business structure perspective, becoming an official Managed Service Provider creates recurring revenue opportunities with higher margins than equipment-only sales. The flexibility in business models mentioned suggests Hughes can offer airlines various pricing structures (per aircraft, per passenger, usage-based), increasing their competitive appeal.
The timing is opportune, as post-pandemic air travel has rebounded with passengers increasingly expecting seamless connectivity. Airlines are prioritizing digital transformation initiatives, and in-flight connectivity forms the backbone of these strategies. With Hughes now available in the Airbus catalogue, the company is positioned to benefit from this industry-wide investment cycle in aviation connectivity infrastructure.
Agreement positions Hughes as an end-to-end provider with a roadmap including low-latency connectivity, multi-orbit coverage, and polar route support
"Our partnership with Airbus on HBCplus gives airlines more flexibility in creating industry-leading connectivity experiences onboard Airbus aircraft," said Reza Rasoulian, Senior Vice President, and General Manager of the Aviation Business Unit at Hughes. "Less than a year ago, Hughes committed to bringing our cutting-edge network management and service provisioning capabilities directly to airlines. Now, with our global Ka-band capacity across GEO satellites and our roadmap that includes Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) integration and comprehensive polar coverage, airlines have unprecedented options for robust, reliable in-flight connectivity."
Under the terms of the agreement, Hughes will become a part of the HBCplus ecosystem, an end-to-end Ka-band managed service provider, and continue as a technology provider for satellite connectivity components. The Hughes HBCplus offering gives airlines scalable and flexible business models with consistent, reliable connectivity including a roadmap for coverage of polar routes.
"We are pleased to confirm Hughes as part of the HBCplus ecosystem," adds Tim Sommer, Head of Connected Aircraft at Airbus. "Passenger expectations for in-flight connectivity and digital services continue to accelerate and airlines demand simple, seamless integration across their entire digital partner ecosystem. Hughes will add further choices for airlines and strengthen our multi-orbit strategy."
For more information about the Hughes In-Flight Connectivity Solutions, please visit the Hughes booth 2B70 at AIX in
About Hughes
Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), provides broadband equipment and services; managed services featuring smart, software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for millions of consumers, businesses, governments, airlines, and communities worldwide. The Hughes flagship internet service, Hughesnet®, connects millions of people across the
©2025 Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company. Hughes and Hughesnet are registered trademarks and JUPITER is a trademark of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.
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SOURCE Hughes Network Systems, LLC
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