Boeing halts plans for wireless entertainment
Lack of global frequencies scupper wireless on planes
Aircraft maker Boeing has abandoned plans to use wireless networks for in-flight entertainment on its 787 Dreamliner planes due to technical problems.
The decision will affect UK carriers Monarch Airlines and First Choice Airways, both of which have already submitted orders for the new aircraft.
A wireless network would have enabled airlines to stream DVD-quality entertainment to televisions in the backs of seats, to eliminate equipment housed under passenger seats, and to quickly reconfigure planes to meet changing demands.
A First Choice Airways spokeswoman says the decision will not have a significant impact on its entertainment services or its plans to order the new planes.
‘We already use state-of-the-art avionic equipment and are experienced in delivering quality entertainment content through a wired network,’ she said.
Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter says a wireless network would add 200lb per plane, compared with 50lb for a wired network. ‘The primary reason for abandoning the wireless network was we were unable to get permission for the necessary frequencies worldwide,’ she said.
‘We had agreements in place with some countries, but in others the bandwidth was already allocated. We will still provide wireless connection for laptops.’
Butler Group analyst Mark Blowers says the allocation of wireless frequencies is the responsibility of each country, many of which have reserved the frequency for other uses.
‘There is no global alignment of the frequencies and delivering content wirelessly becomes more complicated as planes fly around the world,’ he said.
‘Boeing can offer WiFi connection for laptops because WiFi operates in an unregistered band.’
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