Fri, Feb 27, 2009
Satellite-Based Broadband Access Knows No Boundaries
This week, Alaska Airlines became the latest carrier to announce
plans to add inflight wireless internet access onboard its planes.
In conjunction with Row 44, Alaska will roll out the system on a
trial basis in the coming weeks.
The service will be free at the start of the trial, which is
scheduled to begin on an afternoon flight between Seattle and San
Jose, CA and will run for about 60 days. After the trial period,
the airline will determine the schedule for rolling out the
commercial availability of its wireless Internet service to its
entire fleet of aircraft.
Alaska notes the satellite-based technology -- currently,
shared only with low-cost carrier Southwest
Airlines -- allows passengers to maintain wifi access
regardless of the position of the aircraft over land or water.
Ground-based systems are limited to coverage over land.
"We're thrilled to be able to offer our passengers a way to stay
connected to what matters most to them while en route to their
destinations," said Steve Jarvis, Alaska's vice president of
marketing, sales and customer experience. "This is a service that
everyone can use, whether it's for business or entertainment. Our
service gives passengers a choice in how they spend their time
while traveling and enhances the inflight experience."
Alaska Airlines and Row 44 have cooperated for more than two
years to bring this service to market. "Alaska Airlines continues
its long track record of deploying innovative technologies," said
John Guidon, CEO for Row 44. "We are proud to be associated with
their team and thrilled that such a forward-thinking airline
selected Row 44's inflight satellite broadband service."
The airline conducted extensive ground and inflight tests of the
technology prior to the launch of the service trial to ensure the
system does not interfere with aircraft navigation equipment. In
addition, the aircraft equipment has received complete
airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation
Administration.
The service is being offered on a trial basis, and has not yet
received final Federal Communications Commission approval. Final
pricing for the service has not been determined.
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