For all you G* people who believe like I do that G* is nowhere near dead...(and perhaps Mr. Synder needs to rethink his proposed "charge" this quarter..)
biz.yahoo.com
In-Flight Network (IFN), Globalstar and QUALCOMM Successfully Test Broadband Internet and E-Mail System for Existing Aircraft Fleets Worldwide
Prototype Flies Over Parts of North America Prior to Launch Events
LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK, and SAN DIEGO, June 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In-Flight Network LLC, a joint venture of News Corporation and Rockwell Collins, today announced a long-term strategic development with Globalstar (Nasdaq: GSTRF - news) and a development agreement with QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM - news) which will enable In Flight Network (IFN) to provide low-cost broadband Internet and e-mail services to existing commercial airline fleets by early next year. Two weeks ago, a prototype of the IFN system was flown and successfully operated over parts of North America, proving the functionality of the system.
Under the agreements, IFN, Globalstar and QUALCOMM will participate jointly in the development of a system that will provide broadband Internet access as well as e-mail, paging and voice-over-IP applications directly to passengers aboard aircraft in flight. Broadband Internet data and entertainment will be transmitted directly to aircraft via geostationary satellites, with the return link carried over the worldwide Globalstar satellite network. In addition, the Globalstar satellite network will serve as an independent two-way channel for Internet access, e-mail, downloading of data and other applications.
With QUALCOMM-developed enhancements to its Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, the Globalstar data link will initially operate at speeds in excess of 200 kbps. When user demand increases and ground terminal capacity can absorb the greater data load, this data rate can be increased to over 800 kbps -- faster than most DSL or cable modems. |
