In-flight Internet service takes a step forward

WALTHAM, Mass. -- In-flight Internet connections have been talked about and seriously promised for a couple of years. But, there have been problems -- regulatory, technical and financial. Now, it looks like a significant step forward is being taken toward what could become the next big thing in airline services to passengers.

Connexion by Boeing, a mobile information services provider of Internet, data and entertainment services to mobile travelers, will deploy secure, high-speed wireless services in commercial aircraft using products from Colubris Networks and Miltope Corporation.

Miltope and Colubris Networks have also entered into an OEM partnership to deliver secure wireless access point products to the largest manufacturers and operators in the commercial and executive aviation industries, the companies have announced. Connexion and Miltope expand Colubris Networks' list of more than 400 service provider and enterprise customers and partners worldwide, including Telecom Italia, NTT-ME, McGill University, Bangkok International Airport, the Resort Municipality of Whistler, and three of the world's largest hotel chains.

A business unit of the Boeing Company, Connexion by Boeing claims to be the world's first broadband in-flight Internet service, serving two important market segments: commercial and executive aircraft operators, including operators of private and government aircraft. The service enables airline passengers to use their laptops or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet, personal and business e-mail accounts and to access firewall-protected company intranets. They also can send and receive large file attachments and view entertainment content, all at DSL-like speeds.

Since its highly successful service demonstrations with Lufthansa and British Airways earlier this year utilizing the Colubris/Miltope solution, Connexion by Boeing has announced definitive agreements with both Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines. Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and All Nippon Airways also have announced their intent to install the Connexion by Boeing service on their long-haul fleets. In addition to serving airline passengers in flight, aircraft operators can use the service for aircraft-to-terminal communications with ground, flight and maintenance crews, and use Connexion by Boeing's bandwidth capability to implement additional operational efficiencies, augment customer service and enhance security applications.

To provide customers in the aviation industry with best-in-class wireless access point solutions, Miltope is incorporating key technology from the Colubris Networks CN1054 intelligent access device into Miltope's Wireless Access Service Point (WASP) offering. The world's first access device to combine a Wi-Fi access point with a VPN server, firewall, router and switch, the CN1054 is an easily managed, highly secure wireless networking system. The Miltope WASP incorporates CN1054 hardware and software technology into a rugged device customized to meet stringent airline industry standards for safety and reliability.

Designed, tested and certified for use on-board a range of private and commercial aircraft, the lightweight, compact WASP may be used as a wireless client access point in the aircraft cabin as well as a wireless bridge for a ground link. The IEEE 802.11b compliant WASP operates with any client device, such as a laptop computer or PDA.

"The aviation industry is among the most aggressive adopters of wireless technology, because it provides compelling benefits to passengers and operators alike," said Robert Guidetti, senior director at Miltope. "Products that enable the delivery of wireless services must meet a number of unique requirements to ensure they operate effectively in this demanding environment. Miltope has a track record for delivering market-leading solutions that fulfill those requirements, and our partnership with Colubris Networks helps us expand upon that leadership."

According to a June 2003 report from Gartner, the global market research analyst firm estimates that the Wi-Fi market will continue to expand, with an expected 75 million users of Wi-Fi hotspots by 2008. Airports represent the most popular venue for hotspot deployments, making Wi-Fi available to the more than 600 million business and leisure passengers who travel each year.

Colubris and Miltope said the offering enables Connexion by Boeing to extend the benefits of Wi-Fi for aviation operators and passengers from terminals to aircraft during flight in a wireless fashion, eliminating weight and providing a viable alternative to wired Ethernet-based connectivity. Miltope's WASP underscores the company's 25-year history of designing reliable equipment for military equipment, and reflects its ongoing commitment to delivering industry-leading data and communication management technology for the commercial aviation industry.

Additionally, the Miltope partnership leverages Colubris Networks' momentum in providing robust, intelligent Wi-Fi access devices to the enterprise and public access markets -- including leading communications carriers, transportation hubs and hospitality providers around the world.

"Providing customers with wireless access is becoming a 'must-have' in many markets," said Barry Fougere, president and CEO of Colubris Networks. "That's especially true in travel-related industry segments. Connexion by Boeing is recognized as the premier service for bringing Wi-Fi to the aviation industry. Colubris Networks is thrilled to be teaming with Miltope to deliver best-in-class wireless products purpose-built for this market, and we're pleased by the endorsement that having Connexion by Boeing as a customer represents."