Row44 Hopes to Bring ‘True’ Broadband to Air Travel
7/25/07 – Row44 is an interesting startup based in Westlake Village that hopes to bring broadband Internet service to airliners. The concept has been attempted before to a limited extent by Boeing, but after the shutdown of that service, Row44 is taking its shot at the market. The company is using the Hughes satellite network to offer a full plate of in-flight services that includes broadband Internet and live IP-based TV.
Row44 was founded by John Guidon, formerly founder and CEO of Comcore Semiconductor, and Gregg Fialcowitz, formerly co-founder of Aprisa. The company says it offers “true” broadband connectivity for a broad range of aircraft types and sizes. The system provides data rates up to 81 mbps from the satellite to the aircraft and 1.6 mbps uploads, according to the company—roughly equivalent to a home cable modem or DSL connection.
Another offering the company is bundling with the service is operational data services for airlines for flight operations, including weather updates and cabin surveillance, cabin crew services, and cargo services, like passenger bag matching and luggage tracking.
A major value proposition of Row 44’s service is that its equipment is lightweight and, according to the company, simple to install and maintain. Major components include a low-profile antenna mounted to the top of the fuselage. To distribute a wi-fi signal, two or more wireless access units are placed in the airplane cabin.
Row44 has been privately funded to this point.
Row44 – www.row44.com
