Boeing unit predicts use of an airline cell phone service by 2006

Telecomworldwire, June 16, 2005

TELECOMWORLDWIRE-16 June 2005-Boeing unit predicts use of an airline cell phone service by 2006(C)1994-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD http://www.m2.com

Connexion, a unit of Boeing Co. offering in-flight web access, has announced that it expects to start selling mobile phone services to airline passengers from as early as next year.

The US Federal Aviation Administration is currently reviewing its ban on the use of phones and wireless devices on aircraft, but according to a poll conducted by the National Consumers League, US passengers overwhelmingly oppose lifting the ban. However, the company hopes that some kind of compromise solution can be reached that would either mandate certain quiet periods on flights or create quiet zones.

According to Reuters, the new broadband access service would be installed on 120 passenger jets by year-end, up from the 64 that are currently equipped with the service and Boeing estimates that 8,000 of its commercial airliners would be suitable to be fitted for the new service.

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