Boeing has received a licence from the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for two-way broadband communications from aircraft, paving the way for the launch of its Connexion entertainment and communication services.
Boeing received FCC approval for the receive side of the services some time ago, but two-way approval - the first in the broadband satellite services industry, according to Boeing - has taken a year to secure. The licence will allow high-speed in-flight internet, intranet, e-mail and live television services to be offered on airliners and business jets.
The approval followed an extensive flight test programme involving Boeing's Connexion One 737 test aircraft. The aircraft gathered data to demonstrate that Connexion can operate without interfering with other radio spectrum users.
A prototype Connexion service is available in the USA to private and government aircraft. Launch airline Lufthansa is due to start a single-aircraft trial by early next year, to be followed by a decision to equip its long-haul fleet.
Lufthansa is Connexion's only airline customer at the moment following the withdrawal of US carriers American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines last November. The three US carriers were due to be equity partners in Connexion with Boeing, but pulled out to focus on their core businesses.
Around 18 airlines are due to meet as Connexion's "working together" group for the first time on 15 January to start refining the service, says Boeing.
Source: Flight International
