The A to Z of wireless

A is for Aeroplanes

The prospect of wireless internet access on aeroplanes has been talked about for several years with Boeing first to launch a service - called Connexion. It debuted in 2004 on a few international carriers, only to be shuttered at the end of 2006.

Despite the closure of Connexion, analysts are predicting that in-flight wireless will take off in a big way this year: a recent report from analyst house In-Stat predicts the number of aeroplanes enabled for in-flight broadband will balloon from 25 in 2008 to around 800 in 2009 - a percentage increase of more than 3,000 per cent.

Indeed, momentum has once again been building around in-flight wireless and services are sporadically emerging: British Airways, for example, recently announced plans to launch an in-flight wireless service later this year on an all-business class route from London City airport to New York JFK but said it has no plans to retrofit the wi-fi kit on aircraft already in service.

Travellers on the route will only be able to text, email and browse the web using the service. Limiting functionality in this way can be a less controversial option for airlines as voice calls can present a noise nuisance issue.

In-flight connectivity is delivered via onboard picocell technology, with a satellite link connecting the aircraft to mobile networks on the ground. Aircraft must also install a network control unit to prevent onboard phones trying to connect with land-based cellular networks which are not designed to cope with such high speed movement, and also to ensure mobiles do not interfere with cabin equipment.