Companies Bid for License to Operate In-Flight Wireless Broadband Service

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Companies Bid for License to Operate In-Flight Wireless Broadband Service

7:00 am on May 22, 2006 | Category: Wireless Technology, Internet

American wireless companies are continuing to place their bids on the 800-MHz spectrum, in hopes of launching in-flight wireless broadband services for business travelers.

There has been much talk of how in-flight broadband will increase productivity and help the economy, but airlines and other passengers have concerns about the idea.

The issue remains that with broadband comes the potential for IP voice applications, which would create noise and annoyance for many passengers. The National Consumer League released a poll last year indicating that almost 70% of travelers are in favor of banning or restricting cell phone and VoIP use during flights.

In addition to these consumer concerns, major airlines have voiced some skepticism of their own. Equipping every commercial airplane in America with mobile broadband receivers will be a very expensive task to say the least, and airlines want assurances that offering the service will generate enough revenue to cover these costs.

Nevertheless, a number of bidders are doing their best to secure airwaves for this advanced new service. Verizon Airfone, a leading bidder in the FCC auction, says that it can have an in-flight Wi-Fi service up and running within about 12 months, while another bidder, AirCell could also launch a service sometime next year.

None of the bidders have revealed details about pricing or service speed, due to FCC regulations surrounding the auction process, but with the speed that things are moving, we are sure to hear more and more about this technology in the months to come.