Airbus Modular Terminal Enables Satellite Provider Switching
The new HBCplus flex system allows airlines to swap connectivity providers without replacing physical onboard hardware by 2028.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Airbus is now fielding customer interest for its modular HBCplus inflight connectivity terminal to support the upcoming Telesat Lightspeed satellite network. The terminal allows airlines to switch between service providers without changing onboard hardware.
Why it matters
Airlines are increasingly seeking modular hardware to avoid vendor lock-in and pricing volatility associated with proprietary connectivity packages. This shift allows carriers to maintain commercial optionality as low-earth orbit satellite competition intensifies.
The HBCplus flex terminal utilizes mechanically steered phased array antennas to link with satellite constellations. While current GEO and MEO services support 300 Mbps, this hardware architecture aims to support the higher capacity of LEO networks.
The players
Airbus
A European aerospace corporation that manufactures commercial aircraft and designs modular inflight connectivity hardware solutions.
Telesat
A Canadian satellite operator currently developing the Lightspeed constellation, a global low-earth orbit network designed for high-speed data.
SpaceX
An American aerospace company that operates the Starlink satellite internet constellation and provides launch services for various satellite operators.
The details
The HBCplus program uncouples connectivity hardware from service providers, enabling airlines to swap providers without replacing the antenna systems. These terminals utilize mechanically steered phased array antennas—flat panels that use electronic phase shifts to steer radio beams—to maintain connections with fast-moving low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Airbus plans to release this modular terminal in 2028 to accommodate diverse satellite operator requirements.
Timeline
September 2026: Telesat commissioned its first European gateway in Bercenay-en-Othe, France.
December 2026: Telesat will launch two pathfinder satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
2027: Telesat will commence its primary satellite launch cadence.
Q1 2028: Telesat Lightspeed is scheduled to offer global coverage including polar regions.
2028: Airbus plans to release the HBCplus modular terminal.
The Tech Race
Airbus is positioning its modular HBCplus terminal as an open alternative to proprietary, vertically integrated models like the Starlink service. By offering a hardware solution compatible with multiple satellite networks, Airbus aims to challenge the dominant locked-in service models currently adopted by major carriers.
Airlines that adopt the HBCplus flex terminal gain the ability to switch between satellite connectivity providers as market pricing evolves. Passengers should expect this modular hardware to begin appearing on new aircraft models in 2028 as airframe manufacturers integrate the system.
The takeaway
The move toward modular connectivity hardware indicates a shift in the aviation industry toward long-term service flexibility over single-vendor dependency. Interested parties should track the December 2026 pathfinder satellite launch as a key performance indicator for the future of LEO inflight broadband.
What happens next
Telesat is scheduled to launch two pathfinder satellites on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in December 2026, marking a critical milestone for its Lightspeed constellation deployment.
Further reading
For more developments on satellite-backed internet infrastructure, visit our Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Runway Girl.
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