MARY KIRBY / WASHINGTON DC & GUY NORRIS / LOS ANGELES
Connexion by Boeing says it will be ready to offer high-speed airborne connectivity services on a global scale "beginning next year", following a long-awaited decision by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to approve a global spectrum allocation.
The United Nations-affiliated ITU, which co-ordinates global telecommunications networks and services, has extended the secondary mobile satellite service allocation in the 14.0-14.5GHz band (Ku band) to include the aeronautical mobile satellite service.
"Clearing this critical hurdle paves the way for global introduction of our high-speed, in-flight connectivity service, beginning next year," says Connexion president Scott Carson.
The ruling verifies that aeronautical mobile satellite services, such as Connexion, can operate without causing harm to other users of the frequency band. It is an important step in ensuring Boeing can market Connexion to airlines worldwide.
To date, Boeing has been operating Connexion under an experimental licence. In mid-November 2002 the manufacturer received key regulatory approvals from Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway to use a range of Ku-band radio frequencies in support of trials with British Airways and Lufthansa. So far, Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) have signed definitive agreements with Boeing to equip their fleets with Connexion in early 2004. BA is still evaluating the results of its trial, and Boeing is working towards a definitive deal with Japan Airlines.
Connexion predicts its broadband system will generate annual industry revenues of up to $3 billion by 2014, and says it is on track to equip up to 4,800 aircraft over the next decade. Carson says Boeing hopes to pocket a "good portion" of the revenue as the numbers of equipped aircraft in service increase.
As many as 75 aircraft could be equipped with its broadband mobile information service by the end of 2004 following the recent signing of a definitive service agreement with SAS.
Connexion expects to receive a "red label" (pre-production) version of the new mechanically steered satellite communications antenna from Mitsubishi Electric in early August. It will be used for airborne testing on the 737-400 flying testbed with certification expected around November. It allows enhanced performance at higher latitudes above 62¡N.
Source: Flight International
