Alaska Airlines Working With Row 44 to Launch Inflight Wireless Internet
9/19/07 – Westlake Village-based Row 44 and Alaska Airlines have announced plans to launch inflight wireless Internet service. Row 44’s satellite-based broadband connectivity will be tested by the airline on a Boeing 737 aircraft in spring 2008 and, contingent upon a positive outcome of the trial, Alaska Airlines says it plans to eventually equip its entire 114-aircraft fleet.
Row 44 says its technology will provide an entertainment and business network in the air for Alaska passengers with wi-fi-enabled devices, such as laptops, PDAs, smartphones and portable gaming systems. The company says its air-to-ground, satellite-based system is designed to function over land, water and across international borders, enabling service throughout the airline's route system in Alaska, the lower 48 states, Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.
Customers connect to the system through wireless hotspots installed inside the aircraft cabin, enabled by a light-weight radome mounted on top of the aircraft that houses an antenna, which receives and transmits signals, according to Row 44.
Alaska and Row 44 say they’ve been working together for two years to bring a successful and cost-efficient inflight broadband solution to the fleet.
Row 44 has been privately funded to this point.
Row 44 – www.row44.com
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