Affordable Internet Connectivity for Regionals

While TriaGnoSys offers the first internet capability designed for regional and business jets, ARINC announced Oi – its newly developed onboard Internet service for passenger laptops. The two companies made their announcements in Germany at the Aircraft Interiors 2008 show. TriaGnoSys Designs Internet...

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While TriaGnoSys offers the first internet capability designed for regional and business jets, ARINC announced Oi – its newly developed onboard Internet service for passenger laptops. The two companies made their announcements in Germany at the Aircraft Interiors 2008 show.

TriaGnoSys Designs Internet Connectivity for Regional, Business Jets
TriaGnoSys has been selected by Thales for its new in-flight broadband internet connectivity solution, specifically designed for the high-growth business and regional jet markets. TriaGnoSys, an aviation satellite communications specialist, will provide the satellite communications management and billing processes to make in-flight internet connectivity an economically viable option for smaller aircraft.
The Thales/TriaGnoSys in-flight connectivity solution is the first cabin internet connectivity solution purpose-designed for the space constraints associated with smaller aircraft of up to 110 seats. The solution is not only compact and lightweight but also benefits from the cost-efficiencies and high bandwidth capabilities of Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband technology. In addition, the system uses a modem that can provide multiple channels, further improving both performance and cost-effectiveness.
The new in-flight connectivity solution will provide business and regional aircraft passengers with the ability to use their laptops to access the Internet at broadband speeds via a WiFi connection, as well as access other multimedia services including printers and fax machines running on the TopSeries platform.
“This new internet service significantly widens the in-flight connectivity options for business and regional jet airframe manufacturers, as well as owners and operators,” said Dr. Axel Jahn, managing director of TriaGnoSys. “The competitive costs of buying and installing the equipment, which can be either line- or retro-fitted, and running the service, make it a ‘must-have’ option for business travelers and an important ancillary revenue opportunity for regional airlines. The satellite communications software we have developed uses unique compression technology to minimize bandwidth requirements and at the same time to maximize outward and inward bound traffic via Inmarsat’s SwiftBroadband satellite service.”
The solution incorporates PlaneBill™ billing technology, also supplied by TriaGnoSys, which offers a range of payment options, including pay as you go or fixed-rate billing options payable by credit card as well as pre-paid authenticated access either for individuals or for those working within a corporate network.

ARINC’s Unveils Affordable In-Flight Connectivity for Laptops
ARINC Incorporated is showcasing its newly developed onboard Internet service for passenger laptops — known as Oi. Available to airlines this year, Oi is the newest addition to the ARINC portfolio of satellite communications applications.
ARINC’s Oi connectivity enables passengers to access the Internet (by the hour, day or flight leg), via their own laptops. ARINC’s Oi technology makes optimum use of Inmarsat Swift satellite communication services.
Passengers can connect instantly via a wired or wireless cabin backbone to the Oi Web Portal. The portal is fully customized to each airline’s requirements, supporting a combination of free view or paid applications. Oi will feature a range of price points to suit most budgets, and ARINC expects web mail prices will be under $10 a flight, with larger attachments requiring an extra charge. A number of payment methods will be offered, including credit cards or pre-paid cards with special access codes, or passengers can use pre-existing mobile or internet service provider accounts.
Frequently-used and favorite websites can be cached onboard the aircraft server while the aircraft is at the gate, through a wireless connection (i.e. Gatelink). Content can also be loaded on board the aircraft via a portable data loader. Smaller content updates and refreshing of content will be done during flight over the satellite connection. This enables ARINC to maximize the Internet content offering and keep passenger pricing affordable.
With the addition of Oi, ARINC is now able to offer airlines a complete choice of passenger cabin connectivity solutions — via the In-flight Entertainment System, and also through passengers’ own personal devices, mobile phones, Blackberries and PDA’s through its joint venture with AeroMobileSM.
“The core focus in developing Oi has been based on passenger experience,” said Dave Poltorak, ARINC EMEA Managing Director. “Our aim is to ensure a high quality of service and easy usability offering both business and leisure passengers increased connectivity, especially on long haul flights when they want to keep in touch at 35,000 feet,”
ARINC first demonstrated OI at the September 2007 World Airline Entertainment Association congress. As the solution is software-based, it can be easily installed on most of the higher specification IFE servers already on many of the world’s leading airlines, several of whom are now talking with ARINC about the system.