In the race to be the first provider to launch Ku-band satellite connectivity service in North America, recent start-up Row 44 has its nose in front of the mighty Panasonic.
“Following first flight trials before the end of June, we’re aiming for a production roll-out in the third or fourth quarter of this year,” Row 44 chief executive John Guidon said here yesterday. Meantime, Panasonic strategic marketing director David Bruner expects to see the first set of eXconnect equipment installed in an aircraft operated by a North American carrier around the end of the year, with a first flight in the first half of 2009.
Californian-based Row 44 is due to carry out single-aircraft trials with Alaska Airlines and Southwest Airlines – both airlines say they will implement the megabit-rated service throughout their Boeing 737 fleets if the trials are satisfactory. “We’re confident that we’ll move on to installations in high numbers with Alaska and Southwest,” Guidon said. “The two airlines are running hard to promote our service effectively to their passengers in the trials – as far as understanding what we offer, they really get it.”First aircraft installations are due to start in the next few weeks.
Panasonic has completed design work on its Intelsat-based network, and prototypes of all the units in its airborne equipment suite have been built. “We expect to see volume production starting next year, though much of the schedule depends on airline decisions and final regulatory approvals,” said Bruner.
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Source: Flight Daily News
