Broadband ideas fly sky high with airlines

NEWS Rival aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing are gearing up to offer competing broadband services for the high-flying executive. Boeing announced it has signed a letter of intent with the three biggest US airlines - American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines - to roll out a broadband internet access service called Connexion By Boeing. Airbus is set to announce an agreement with Tenzing Communications to buy 30 per cent in the company in return for access to its airborne internet technology. Tenzing has already signed agreements with Air Canada, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic to enable passengers to send and receive email. Boeing's system is expected to offer email, internet and corporate intranet access as well as pay-per-view TV and video conferencing. About ten aircraft from each airline are expected to premiere the service in the second half of 2002 on domestic US services. Access for long-haul flyers is scheduled to appear within the next few years. In total, 1,500 aircraft, or 10 per cent of the companies' fleets, will offer broadband services. Passengers will connect to the service via their own laptops using power supplies provided by the airlines. Flyers wishing to connect to the world below them can expect to be charged around $20 an hour for the privilege.