Wed, Mar 10, 2010
Promises Inflight Mobile Phone Services
ASiQ Limited announced the release of the world’s first
aircraft Bluetooth Access Point Tuesday.
“Up until now passengers have only had very expensive options
for in flight mobile phone communications. However, with the
evolution of our SafeCell App, combined with our new Bluetooth
Access Point, airlines will now be able to offer their passengers
affordable SMS, MMS, voice messaging and text email on the popular
device of choice, the mobile phone," said Ron Chapman ASiQ’s
CEO. "Better still SafeCell eliminates GSM roaming charges, as it
does not require a GSM Picocell connection to deliver its
services.”
Bluetooth access points are more efficient, as they operate as a
Personal Area Network (PAN) and unlike Wi-Fi do not have to connect
to the internet, in order to establish a link. The SafeCell App is
unique in that file sizes are so small, even a narrow band
satellite link can accommodate the basic texting needs of every
passenger. Plus, Bluetooth can transmit at up to 3 megabits per
second, which means it can accommodate any data or media
requirement.
With ASiQ’s proprietary PAN design, two access points
can cover a narrow body aircraft such as a Boeing 737 or Airbus
320. Up to 192 mobiles can be logged on to each Access Point.
The SafeCell system is projected to cost as little as $10k per
aircraft, compared to GSM based systems costing around $500k per
aircraft and a Wi-Fi system costing around $100K per aircraft for a
US domestic airline and up to $350k for an international
airline.
ASiQ says several airlines have been following the progress of
SafeCell which was patented in January this year, and Chapman says
he expects to announce the first installation of the new access
point in the second quarter of 2010.
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