Boeing strikes $30m broadband deal

Boeing has signed a $30m extension to its contract with the US Air Force to provide high-speed broadband communication links to government aircraft.

The Boeing Broadband Satcom Network (BBSN) service, formerly known as Connexion By Boeing, provides internet and direct broadcast satellite TV links for, among others, VIP and special air mission aircraft, C-32s, C-40s and E-4s.

The total value of the modified contract is $54m, and the latest extension is the fourth option to be taken up. If a fifth option period were exercised, the contract value would increase to $72m.

Ron Guzdar, BBSN project manager, claimed the government had been impressed by the quick response element of the service: ‘We can monitor every phase of our global broadband footprint and take corrective action, even before it becomes a problem to the customer.’