European airplane manufacturer Airbus, aviation electronics and communications supplier Rockwell Collins and in-flight data connectivity provider Tenzing Communications Inc. are entering into a cooperative effort to offer a range of airborne communications and data-management solutions to airlines and their passengers.
The new partnership will use Airbus' aircraft equipped with the Airbus in-Flight Information System (AFIS) platform, along with Rockwell Collins' aviation electronics systems expertise and Tenzing's in-flight messaging communications capabilities.
The group will roll out its combined services in three phases. Phase one will involve deploying Tenzing proprietary software on Airbus planes. With the software, passengers will be able to access e-mail and messaging services while in flight from either a laptop or an in-seat video screen. Additionally, passengers will be able to send and receive short- message service (SMS) text messages from their aircraft seat to and from wireless phones on the ground.
Tenzing says it is the only company to have successfully deployed in-flight e-mail using existing technologies and current onboard networks.
Tenzing customer-airlines include Cathay Pacific, which has been providing e-mail from laptops since the third quarter of 2001. A full passenger service launch of over 40 Cathay Pacific aircraft is planned by the end of this year with the full fleet of 69 aircraft scheduled to be complete by the end of 2003. Cathay Pacific flies mainly within Asia, and counts several European cities among its destinations. In the U.S., it flies into John F. Kennedy International Airport outside of New York City and San Francisco International Airport.
Phase two of the development is expected to bring the roll-out of high-speed data communication links using Rockwell Collins' Inmarsat's Swift64 system. Rockwell Collins is providing the infrastructure to establish these high-speed data communication links on and off the aircraft through the addition of a high-speed transceiver to an aircraft's existing Aero H/H+ SATCOM system. The addition of this capability, along with the installation of the Airbus AFIS architecture, enables expanded passenger service offerings and the provision by Airbus of airline operational applications for cockpit, cabin and maintenance.
The third phase will involve bringing broadband satellite connectivity to deliver live entertainment and television content (sports, news, business information and weather) Discussions with AirTV have been initiated, as its Live TV solution can be coupled with an S-band datalink from the ground to the aircraft.
As part of its commitment, Rockwell Collins intends to make an investment in Tenzing. Airbus has already invested in Tenzing.
Bob Woods is the managing editor of InstantMessagingPlanet.
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