Boeing Designs In-Flight Surfing

Some aircraft will offer Net access on your own and built-in systems--with ads.

Margret Johnston, IDG News Service

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But airplane manufacturer Boeing now says the time has come to invite people to log on while they're airborne. Books, newspapers, magazines, and movies just aren't supplying enough in-flight entertainment to the ever-connected flying public, the company contends.

The aerospace corporation Thursday announced Connexions by Boeing, a service that it will sell to airlines. Connexions makes it possible for airlines to offer passengers high-speed data communication services via satellite on board almost any flight.

Passengers will be able to plug their PCs into the system at their seats and surf the Net, send and receive e-mail messages, and even access their corporate intranets. The fee will be about the same as the air-time charges people pay for their cellular phones, says Erik Simonsen, a Boeing spokesperson.

Eventually, Boeing plans to make Internet-enabled devices available on the backs of aircraft seats for people who don't carry PCs, Simonsen says. The service could show up on commercial flights by the end of next year.

New Heights for Satellite TV

In addition to the pay Internet service, a free package of information and entertainment will be available, including a selection of "real-time" television programming, as opposed to the taped TV programs now played on some long flights. So far two networks, CNN Inflight Services and CNBC, have signed up to provide programming, but other networks can sign on, says Ric Vandermeulen, director of strategy and planning for Connexions by Boeing.

The free service also will offer information about on-board shopping, travel, and the flight's destination.

The technology Boeing developed to support the system includes a phased array antenna that is mounted on top of the aircraft's fuselage. The antenna, which is less than 2 inches high, 44 inches wide, and 55 inches long, is fixed and doesn't interfere with the aerodynamics of the plane or its own communications systems, Simonsen says.

Electronic modules inside the antenna move to maintain the connection to satellites at a maximum transmission speed of 5MB for downloading data and 1.5MB for uploading it. However, speed slows as more users log on.

Boeing expects to supply the system to commercial airlines operating in the continental U.S. in the fourth quarter of 2001. Boeing aims to expand the service to other regions and include transoceanic flights. From the start, the system will be available throughout the cabin, not just to first class and business class passengers, Simonsen says. But, he adds, he doesn't know whether passengers still will be told to turn it off during takeoff and landing.

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