Boeing, Intel boost in-flight wireless Internet

In-flight wireless Internet service is now available on more than 100 flights a day throughout the world, but the technology is still facing regulatory problems in the United States. Perhaps a new marketing agreement this week between Connexion by Boeing and Intel will help break the bureaucratic and political logjam and connectivity will soon be available to airline passengers in North America.

As part of the agreement, Connexion by Boeing and Intel have completed compatibility testing with common Intel Centrino mobile technology-based laptop configurations, making it possible for Connexion by Boeing to claim the first in-flight Internet service to be verified through Intel's Wireless Verification Program.

Connexion by Boeing offers 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.

100 flights a day

Connexion by Boeing service is available today on 70 planes and more than 100 daily routes worldwide on Lufthansa Airlines, Scandinavian Airlines, Japan Airlines, ANA, Singapore Airlines and China Airlines. In addition, Austrian Airlines, Korean Air, El Al, Asiana and Etihad will soon begin offering the high-speed service on their long-range aircraft.

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 that may negatively impact the end-user experience. To date, the program has verified 103 service providers that operate more than 70,000 hotspots worldwide.

"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."

Business and leisure

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.

"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 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 recently named one of the wireless companies to watch in 2005 by IDC wireless services analysts, and is the recipient of Network Magazine's Innovation Awards 2005 honor for "Product Breakthrough."

Connexion by Boeing has agreements in place 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 and recently announced its launch customer for the maritime market.