Boeing jettisons in-flight broadband

 

Gallery

By Simon Aughton

Posted on 18 Aug 2006 at 11:29

Boeing has decided to abandon its Connexion programme that had aimed to provide Satellite-based broadband Internet connections on its aircraft.

The announcement condemns six-years' work to the scrap heap, after airlines decided not to adopt Boeing's technology but wait for cheaper, cellular systems to emerge. Only five airlines have deployed the service: Lufthansa, SAS, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Boeing said that it will help them to phase it out.

'Regrettably, the market for this service has not materialised as had been expected,' said Boeing chairman, president and CEO Jim McNerney. 'We believe this decision best balances the long-term interests of all parties with a stake in Connexion by Boeing.'

Boeing expects the decision to cost it around $320 million.

The scrapping of Connexion comes almost a year to the day since it became the first in-flight Internet service to be verified by Intel's Wireless Verification Program.