Infonet and Connexion by Boeing Announce Plans to Deliver ``Wi-Fi in the Sky'' Capabilities to MobileXpress Customers
Monday May 10, 6:00 am ET
biz.yahoo.com
Agreement Will Make Infonet the First Global Managed Network Service Provider to Offer Secure In-Flight High-Speed Internet Access
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2004-- Infonet Services Corporation (NYSE:IN), a leading provider of global communications services for multinationals, and Connexion by Boeing(SM), a business unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), today announced plans to deliver in-flight, real-time, high-speed Internet capabilities as part of Infonet's MobileXpress(TM) service portfolio.
MobileXpress, Infonet's next-generation mobile/wireless service, expands its customer's remote access reach to more than 120 countries, including secure access to thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots in airports, hotels and public venues around the world.
As part of a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Infonet will expand the geographic reach of its wireless services to include those airlines serviced by the Connexion by Boeing real-time, high-speed Internet service. In linking the two service offerings, airline passengers who have subscribed to MobileXpress will be able to use their existing accounts to gain the benefits of secure, seamless, real-time Internet access when in flight. According to Forrester Research, "In flight broadband Internet access is a highly desirable amenity, especially among frequent business travelers, with research showing 38 percent of frequent travelers are willing to pay at least $25 per flight for full, high-speed access to the Internet and their corporate network."
"The addition of the in-flight service addresses a key venue being sought by today's mobile workers," said Marc Patterson, Vice President and Managing Director of Infonet's Mobility Services. "By delivering the Connexion by Boeing capabilities as part of the MobileXpress service portfolio, end-users will increase their flexibility, while IT organizations retain the benefits of strong security, consolidated management and unified invoicing. The service offering is exciting and highly complementary to Infonet's secured mobility solutions, furthering our mission to provide secure access anytime, anywhere."
Given the global appeal of the new capabilities, Infonet plans to offer the integrated service offering to multinational customers worldwide later this year, with service trials initiating in the summer. In addition, Infonet is scheduled to grow its number of active "on the ground" Wi-Fi hotspots to more than 10,000 by the end of the year. By combining this strong on-the-ground coverage with Connexion by Boeing's in-flight service, MobileXpress will be able to provide the type of ubiquitous, on-demand remote Internet and VPN access that mobile executives are increasingly demanding.
"Through our planned associate service provider agreement with Infonet, the Connexion by Boeing service will become more accessible to passengers on commercial flights throughout the world," said Connexion by Boeing Vice President of Marketing and Direct Sales, David Friedman. "Infonet's global distribution model and complementary services will appeal to business and leisure travelers as well as corporate organizations looking to balance end-user simplicity and security with seamless manageability." |
