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Boeing, Intel to promote high-speed in-flight Internet service
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
6 August, 2005: Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of Boeing and Intel Corporation has announced an agreement between the two firms
to enhance and promote high-speed, in-flight wireless Internet service.
As part of the pact, the firms have successfully completed compatibility testing with common Intel Centrino mobile
technology-based laptop configurations, a release on the Boeing web site said.
This compatibility testing makes Connexion by BoeingSM the first in-flight Internet service to be verified through Intel’s
Wireless Verification Program.
Connexion by Boeing is the only high-speed wireless Internet, data and entertainment connectivity service for commercial
airlines and their passengers as well as for operators of private and government executive jets, the Boeing news release
said.
Through the Wireless Verification Program, Intel works with wireless service providers to identify and minimize issues
related to quality of service, site coverage and down-time which would adversely affect end-user experience. The Intel
program has verified 103 service providers that operate more than 70,000 hotspots worldwide so far, the news release
said.
"Intel and Connexion by Boeing have collaborated extensively to test the high-speed, in-flight Wi-Fi service, which provides a
secure and reliable service for travelers who want new choices for how they spend their time in-flight," said Keith
Kressin, director of marketing for Intel’s Mobile Platforms Group. "With our shared focus on enhancing the end-user experience, Intel
and Connexion by Boeing are opening up a whole new world of in-flight entertainment, communication and productivity."
"By verifying Connexion’s service compatibility with Intel Centrino mobile technology and devices, we help ensure that air
passengers have a consistent, high quality, in-flight Wi-Fi experience as they have come to expect and enjoy on the ground
– whether they are surfing the World Wide Web, watching live global television or connecting to a corporate VPN," said
David Friedman, vice president of marketing and direct sales, Connexion by Boeing.
Connexion by Boeing and Intel will also work with customer airlines to increase awareness, trial and adoption of in-flight
Internet access through co-branding, promotions and educational efforts targeted at both business and leisure travelers.
Connexion by Boeing service is available on 70 planes and more than 100 daily routes worldwide on Lufthansa Airlines,
Scandinavian Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines and China Airlines.
Austrian Airlines, Korean Air, El Al, Asiana and Etihad will soon begin offering the high-speed service on their long-range
aircraft, the release said.
Connexion by Boeing Connexion by Boeing is, for the second year running, the recipient of the World Travel Award for
World's Leading High-Speed In-flight Internet Services Provider. It was named one of the wireless companies to watch in
2005 by IDC wireless services analysts.
It also bagged Network Magazine's Innovation Awards 2005 honor for "Product Breakthrough."
Connexion by Boeing has agreements with more than 600 corporations worldwide and has established wireless roaming
agreements with 17 associate service providers. Through these agreements, travelers are able to connect through an
established account with Connexion by Boeing, or use the roaming platforms of their existing wireless providers to further
simplify their methods of payment. The cost per flight for most international routes is $29.95, with a lower rate of $19.95
for flights of less than six hours. A pay-per-minute option includes a 60- minute starter package priced at $9.95, with rates
of $0.25 per minute thereafter.
Connexion by Boeing also offers a high-speed connectivity solution for the business aviation market .
Intel, the world’s largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of computer, networking and communications products.
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
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