AT&T announced Tuesday its plans to develop a high-speed 4G LTE connectivity service that allows passengers on planes to have in-flight Internet connection.
The telecommunications company hopes to launch the service by 2015. Capabilities will reportedly include in-flight broadband for passengers, as well as reliable Wi-Fi connection. The company also plans to improve cockpit communications to foster more efficient maintenance and crew services.
To make this a reality, AT&T will develop an air-to-ground network based on global 4G standards. This platform will be used to provide high speed internet and will facilitate the utilization of the spectrum already owned by the company. The platform is slated to be built in the United States.
“Everyone wants access to high-speed, reliable mobile Internet wherever they are, including at 35,000 feet,” Chief Strategy Officer at AT&T, John Stankey said in a news release. “We are building on AT&T’s significant strengths to develop in-flight connectivity technology unlike any other that exists today, based on 4G LTE standards. “
This news come after Honeywell, an industry leader in aerospace, recently announced that their Wireless Connectivity Survey reflected that in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity often causes frustration and disappointment among the passengers, mostly due to poor and slow connections. AT&T will work with Honeywell to ensure that their newest service will be flawless and reliable.
Using Honeywell’s technical experience, the company will provide airline passengers a seamless, fast and satisfying experience of browsing the Internet, using messaging services, and keeping in touch with family and friends while they are traveling.
Aside from this, another potential application of this technology is improved communications between the plane crew and the ground by creating real-time transmissions of the data during inflight operations.
