Tuesday, August 6, 2024
reading time: 2 minutes
SitaSITA, a leading air transport technology company, has announced the launch of an enhanced version of its SITA Mobile Data Access (MDA) 2.0 wireless solution. This advanced version provides secure and reliable business-grade connectivity to eSIM and cellular SIM cards, is compatible with all 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks, and expands its reach to more than 200 countries worldwide.
Designed to meet the connectivity requirements of airlines, airports, ground handlers, cruise ship operators, and others with frequent roaming needs or national-only operations, MDA 2.0 intelligently selects the optimal mobile operator for each device in each country. It also enhances data usage management by filtering specific URLs, IP addresses, and countries, significantly improving security standards.
Martin Smillie “Local mobile networks often lack the comprehensive coverage and service level agreements that are essential for operational applications used in the aviation and transportation sectors,” said Senior Vice President, Communications and Data Exchange (CDE). “Our customers demand reliable, high-quality service and cost control both on- and off-site to maintain operational efficiency. SITA MDA 2.0 provides a seamless, secure and integrated solution for cost-effective global connectivity.”
SITA MDA 2.0 connects to over 700 roaming partners worldwide and features a dedicated portal to aggregate information from multiple sources. It includes traffic filtering to manage costs and offers 24/7 support. Customers can choose between country-specific, regional and global models. The solution seamlessly integrates with SITA’s Aircraft and Airport solutions, supporting a variety of pricing models and practical applications. Use cases range from pilot and crew access to tablets, handheld baggage scanner (HHT) connectivity to baggage matching systems (BRS), access to aircraft maintenance data, SDWAN backup, facilitating new flight paths, and providing access to passenger processing assets in and out of the airport, with pay-per-use, bundle or zone options. It also features a small program capable of switching between private and public 5G networks.
This enhanced version extends its benefits to SITA’s growing customers in the maritime sector, including cruise line operators, ferries and commercial shipping, as well as additional transportation sectors.
The MDA 2.0 implementation has already proven its value by replacing a legacy system for a ground handling provider at a major airport in the Asia-Pacific region, where limited WiFi on the apron had previously hampered baggage tracking and global operations. The deployment, which was completed in a matter of weeks, has improved performance and reliable connectivity, significantly reducing the risk of ground handling disruptions. The solution is set to be adopted more widely across airports and transport sectors, further strengthening SITA’s role as a leader in delivering world-class connectivity solutions that enhance operational efficiency and reliability across the air and maritime industries.
