In-flight data services - 18/06/05

In-flight data services

A lot of activity this week on in-flight internet services, fueled by U.S. airlines FCC, operators and many passengers who oppose the use of cell phones on commercial flights, while vendors are pushing the offer side. The first conclusion is that there is an apparent worldwide (except the USA) acceptation of in-flight services. Many airlines companies are offering (or will offer in the very near future) connections in the sky: Lufthansa, SAS, Japan Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines, China Airlines, Korean Air, El Al, Asiana, Etihad (UAE), Austrian Airlines, and Iberia, United Airlines, as well as Cathay Pacific, Emirates, KLM, Lauda Italy, Malaysia Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic.

120 planes could be equipped by the end of the year and long-term up to 8000 could be equipped.

Two systems lead the market: Connexion by Boeing and OnAir (a joint venture between Airbus and SITA).

In addition, Voice (VOIP) could be added easily and Boeing is planning to sell voice services from 2006.

TeliaSonera extends its HomeRun service to Connexion flights. HomeRun will be available for use on all airplanes on longhaul SAS flights and many flights run by Lufthansa, ANA and Japan Airlines. BT made a similar approach with a roaming agreement with Connexion by Boeing on behalf of subscribers to BT Infonet's MobileXpress service.

But the same solution can be used also on the sea. And Boeing has signed a deal with UK Teekay Shipping Corporation to equip up to 90 ships with Connexion at 256 Kbps up and 5 Mbps down.

On the vendor side, activity is also red hot. Ericsson is developing an in-flight GSM base station. Boeing and OnAir are chasing customers. Boeing is also offering four live streaming channels in its in-flight broadband service. Alcatel leads a new $16m EU R&D effort (MOWGLY) to establish standards for providing broadband to ships, trains and planes.