(Telecompaper) Alcatel-Lucent is joining Inmarsat as a technology partner for the development of the first fully integrated aviation telecommunications network across the European Union (EU), the companies said. The network is expected to enter commercial service by the end of 2016. The network will consist of an S-band satellite (Europasat) constructed by Thales Alenia Space, and a Europe-wide S-band ground network. The LTE in-flight broadband connectivity service will provide speeds of up to 75 Mbps. Alcatel-Lucent and Inmarsat will together to develop the ground infrastructure component. Licenses for the satellite component of the network have been applied for in all EU Member States, and authorisation has already been received in 23. The first ground component licenses have also been received, including from one of the big five EU Member States. Inmarsat is also in on-going discussions with a number of major airlines and other industry partners.