Connectivity coming to planes
By Yang Jian |
October 18, 2012, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
PASSENGERS on Chinese airliners will be able to surf on the Internet, make phone calls and watch real-time television in the air by 2016 when domestic carriers install satellite communication facilities on all passenger aircraft.
The installation will begin early next year and cover all passenger aircraft of domestic airlines within three years, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on its website yesterday.
"The technology will allow airlines to provide wider range of communication services to passengers as a large amount of data can be transmitted to the airliners from the ground stations," the administration said. The data transmission speed can reach 100 megabytes per second.
Some 20 percent of Chinese passenger aircraft will be equipped with the satellite system by the end of next year, while 70 percent of the Chinese fleet will be covered by the end of 2015.
The satellite communication system is also expected to increase the punctuality of domestic airlines since pilots will be able to better communicate with air traffic controllers, especially during periods of congestion or bad weather, officials said.
Communications between air and ground in Chinese airliners are based mainly on high frequency radios that can pick up interference from mobile phone signals and other electronic devices. Satellites can ensure a stable, better quality, confidential and wider range of communications.
Air China, the country's flagship carrier, began providing in-flight WiFi service on its Boeing 737-800 on its Beijing to Chengdu route starting yesterday.
"Based on the current technology, access will be free, but Internet searches will be limited to certain entertainment and tourism services including shopping, room reservations and car rental," said Bao Lida, a spokesman for the Southwest Branch of Air China.
Passengers will be allowed access only while the plane is in the air.
However, many foreign airlines, including Emirates, Delta and Virgin Atlantic, have had paid WiFi services based on the Connexion system from Boeing. The service prices on foreign airlines are around US$5 per hour.
China's domestically produced C919 jumbo jet will also provide phone and WiFi services. It is due to make its first flight in 2014 and enter service a year later, said Dang Yabin, a researcher for the C919 with the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute.
China has 1,810 passenger aircraft, including 838 from Boeing and 758 from Airbus, according to the administration.
The installation will begin early next year and cover all passenger aircraft of domestic airlines within three years, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said on its website yesterday.
"The technology will allow airlines to provide wider range of communication services to passengers as a large amount of data can be transmitted to the airliners from the ground stations," the administration said. The data transmission speed can reach 100 megabytes per second.
Some 20 percent of Chinese passenger aircraft will be equipped with the satellite system by the end of next year, while 70 percent of the Chinese fleet will be covered by the end of 2015.
The satellite communication system is also expected to increase the punctuality of domestic airlines since pilots will be able to better communicate with air traffic controllers, especially during periods of congestion or bad weather, officials said.
Communications between air and ground in Chinese airliners are based mainly on high frequency radios that can pick up interference from mobile phone signals and other electronic devices. Satellites can ensure a stable, better quality, confidential and wider range of communications.
Air China, the country's flagship carrier, began providing in-flight WiFi service on its Boeing 737-800 on its Beijing to Chengdu route starting yesterday.
"Based on the current technology, access will be free, but Internet searches will be limited to certain entertainment and tourism services including shopping, room reservations and car rental," said Bao Lida, a spokesman for the Southwest Branch of Air China.
Passengers will be allowed access only while the plane is in the air.
However, many foreign airlines, including Emirates, Delta and Virgin Atlantic, have had paid WiFi services based on the Connexion system from Boeing. The service prices on foreign airlines are around US$5 per hour.
China's domestically produced C919 jumbo jet will also provide phone and WiFi services. It is due to make its first flight in 2014 and enter service a year later, said Dang Yabin, a researcher for the C919 with the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute.
China has 1,810 passenger aircraft, including 838 from Boeing and 758 from Airbus, according to the administration.
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