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In-flight broadband is taking off

It’s been tried before – and failed – in the case of Boeing’s connexions. But the industry’s key players are striving to perfect their offering as broadband takes to the skies.

Well if you can surf everywhere else, why shouldn’t you expect to be able to use your broadband when you’re flying too? It’s an entertainment package that has a lot more to offer than a spurious contemporary film you can’t quite see from your seat anyway. And for those flying on business, it’s a long awaited boost to valuable preparation time.

The need is plain, but there has been a lot of debate around what keen broadband users can expect. The main areas the entertainment (broadband) providers are putting up for debate are bandwidth and the technology used. Broadband is naturally the most robust and future-proof solution. But it costs more than narrowband. Those in favour of a broadband solution are still divided over the right technology to use to bring in the broadband; satellite or air to ground (ATG) based technologies.

In-flight broadband as an entertainment package is a lucrative addition to the air industry. It’s anticipated to be a huge market and if in-flight broadband goes ahead and launches in the second half of this year, it could be worth over one billion dollars by 2012. The launch could be put in jeopardy by the rising cost of fuel, although additional revenue generating opportunities like in- flight broadband may be just what the industry needs in a tight market.

In-flight broadband will include Wi fi and direct broadcast video. There will be different competitor broadband choices and a long list of airline operators from BMI to Lufthansa are considering their investment in in-flight entertainment broadband.

22/07/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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