ARINC to Offer Airlines New Laptop Connectivity Option

ARINC has developed a new onboard Internet connectivity that enables airlines to offer their passengers onboard access to the Internet on their personal laptops via Inmarsat Swift satellite communication services.

By using ARINC's new Oi Web portal, passengers can connect instantly via a wired or wireless cabin backbone, which an airline can customize to its requirements, for a combination of free view or paid applications that can feature a range of price points to suit most budgets.  ARINC expects Web mail prices will be under US$10 a flight, with larger attachments requiring an extra charge.  A number of payment methods will be offered, including credit cards or pre-paid cards with special access codes, or passengers can use pre-existing mobile or Internet service provider accounts.

Frequently used Web sites can be cached on board the aircraft server while the aircraft is at the gate through a wireless connection, ARINC says, where content can also be loaded via a portable data loader.  Smaller content updates and refreshing of content will be done during flight over the satellite connection.  04-07-2008.

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