for January 28 2008
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Hot Topic: Row44 Snags Second Airborne Internet Sale!
Fresh
from a winning bid to provide sat-based Internet service to Alaska Airlines,
Row44, has just announced a win and flight trial with Southwest airlines.
With over one hundred million yearly passengers, Southwest Airlines plans to
offer Wi-Fi delivered Internet service to passengers on laptops, Smartphones
and other Wi-Fi enabled communication devices. Using Ku Band satellites for
connectivity, Row44 will tap into literally hundreds of available
transponders on satellites like SES. Intellsat and others, all flying over
the US today. The satcom service will be managed by Hughes Networks Systems
and will use their Network Operations Center and their long history and
experience in satellite operations – no new “birds” or launches are in the
Row44 business plan, we are told. We understand the antenna is in ITU bench
testing and has FCC certification. Because it is has a very narrow beam,
Greg Fialcowitz, Row44 CEO, told IFExpress, “The beam is very focused and
out testing has shown it will deliver a very high data rate signal (81 Mbps)
to flying aircraft.” The aircraft must contact geostationary satellites in
the Clarke Belt (35,786 meters), and as a result of the many satellites
there, must resolve signals from satellites 1 to 2 degrees apart and not
interfere with its neighbor! The aircraft hardware weighs an amazing 150
pounds and the new technology antenna (by AeroSat) will only occupy a
footprint on the top of the fuselage thirty inches at its widest part. Being
only 8.5 inches high, it contributes fractional topside drag (around 56
pounds), a problem with earlier technology antennas. Expect to see flight
trials for Alaska to occur later this spring with Alaska and Southwest in
the fall. We asked about IP TV and international opportunities and Row44
responded that the will be looking into low priced content applications
later for sports, news, business, weather and other “live” impact services.
With respect to international applications, “That’s definitely on our
radar,” said Fialcowitz, “We want to get the US system up and running before
we commit any of our resources, but we are looking at transatlantic
opportunities” he noted. With a staff of under 30 and a full compliment of
outsourced hardware, software and service providers, Row44 is planning on
doing what “other entities” have tried with hundreds of employees and
millions of dollars and years of work. Hmmm, there may be something to that
David and Goliath stuff after all?
Unfinished Business
- Doug Young is leaving Nintendo and will move back to Hawaii hey says.
- Watch for an announcement from USAirways for a forthcoming media event.
- An IFE wag recently visited Formation and was “amazed” at the new technology he saw there – Stay Tuned.
- The new Macintosh MacBook AIR is sporting a non-removable battery. we wonder who the first TSA’er will be who wont get the memo?
- Lastly, Universal’s Wade Hannibal (Mr. DRM) has been promoted to a VP. Wade, you buy the next round!
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Virgin America and Revision3
Partner to Bring Next Generation Web-TV to the Skies
1/28/2008 8:44:58 PM
High revenue growth and change
for IFE provider digEcor, Inc. creates tremendous opportunities
1/28/2008 8:31:04 PM
TACA orders 15 A320 Family
aircraft
1/28/2008 8:30:11 PM
Hamburg International orders
two additional aircraft and receives its first Airbus A319
1/28/2008 8:29:08 PM
Southwest Airlines Bringing
the Internet to the Sky Via Satellite
1/28/2008 8:26:49 PM
Thales technology enables
first commercial trials of OnAir
1/28/2008 8:25:14 PM
Boeing, Air Europa of Spain
Announce Order for Eight 787 Dreamliners
1/28/2008 8:23:49 PM
Thales set to provide
breakthrough avionics package for Airbus's new A350
1/28/2008 8:22:21 PM
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Boeing's
Carson Takes Delivery Of His Sport Cub S2
Aero-News Network
Lie Back at
Emirates Lounges w OSIM Massage Chairs
Scoop Independent News
American To
Begin Testing Inflight Internet Service
BTN Online
Southwest To
Test Inflight Internet This Summer
BTN Online
Airbus buyer
switches to Dreamliner
Chicago Tribune
Boeing
earnings take backseat to 787 delays, orders
Market Watch
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Aircraft Interiors Expo - Hamburg
4/1/2008 - 4/3/2008
8th
Annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2008)
5/20/2008 - 5/22/2008
WAEA
29th Annual Conference and Exhibition
9/8/2008 - 9/11/2008
Aircraft Interiors Expo - Americas
9/9/2008 - 9/11/2008
Aircraft Interiors Expo - Asia
9/22/2008 - 9/25/2008
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