Panasonic to offer airline broadband
8th May 2008
Technology manufacturer Panasonic has announced the development of a new service that will allow people to access broadband in-flight.
Its new eXConnect products will provide airline passengers with high-speed broadband services using existing satellite networks operated by Intelsat.
Panasonic notes that by using existing satellite networks, the group will be able to make the service available to key regions throughout the world.
"At Panasonic, we believe that true broadband communication is an enabling technology that will unlock new efficiency and reliability improvements in the aeronautical world," said Paul Margis, chief executive officer at the firm.
InfoWorld reports that eXConnect will be the first in-flight broadband service to operate since Boeing’s loss making Connexion product was discontinued.
The service is expected to deliver speeds comparable to public internet hotspots, as well as offering the opportunity to stream live TV onboard.
Panasonic said that a number of airlines had already signed up to the service but no such carriers were identified by name.
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