Boeing

The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced plans to develop a global communications network and other services that will revolutionize the way people travel. Called Connexion by Boeing^SM, the system will provide air travelers with an unparalleled array of high-speed data communication services via a space-based network -- all for about the same price as cellular phone service.

Using Connexion by Boeing, commercial airline passengers soon will be able to access the Internet, e-mail, television, news and information -- essentially any form of high data-rate communication today's business or leisure travelers require -- in real-time at 40,000 feet. Intended to extend home- and office-like connectivity into the skies, Boeing's mobile broadband services will help keep people in touch, even when moving 500 mph. Other applications for Connexion by Boeing include corporate and private business jets, U.S. government platforms, and aircraft health monitoring.

"Boeing intends to be a leader in the new mobile economy -- and that means helping our airline customers and their passengers stay globally connected at all times," said Phil Condit, Boeing chairman and chief executive officer. "In commercial air travel today, you have a few choices -- you can read a book or a magazine or watch one of several movies. But soon, when you can watch a live soccer match or e-mail family or shop online or keep an eye on your stocks -- the airplane will begin to look like your home or office and the experience of travel will change."

Boeing has signed memoranda of agreement with CNN Inflight Services, Atlanta, Ga.; Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Tokyo, Japan; Alenia Spazio, a Finmeccanica Company, Rome, Italy; Loral Skynet® of Bedminster, N.J.; Matsushita Avionics Systems Corp., Bothell, Wash.; and CNBC, Fort Lee, N.J. The company currently is negotiating with prospective airline partners, and additional content and service suppliers.

While anticipated revenues for Connexion by Boeing have not been announced, analysts project the program's addressable market to be about $70 billion over the next 10 years. Company officials said they hope to capture a significant share of that market with the venture's unique services.

With Connexion by Boeing, airline passengers will be able to choose from a multitude of personalized communications services, including Internet and corporate intranet access, e-commerce, live television and entertainment, transmission and receipt of data, shopping, travel and destination information -- all in real time. Airline operators also will benefit from in-flight access to aircraft and crew data.

Digital broadband capability, which provides increased bandwidth -- or a larger "pipeline" -- for two-way interactive applications, allows customers to send and receive data at rates equivalent to cable Internet access. To provide the capability to airborne travelers, Boeing will use advanced antenna technology and existing satellites, while extending to a mix of new and existing satellites as the service matures.

"Clearly, this is an exciting growth market for Boeing," said Jim Albaugh, president of Boeing Space and Communications Group. "Commercial information and communications are areas where we understand the customer, where we bring unique solutions no one else has the capabilities or resources to provide, and where we can apply our knowledge of large-scale systems integration to provide mobile users seamless connectivity," Albaugh said.

The introduction of Connexion by Boeing follows the pending acquisition of Hughes Space & Communications and signals the move by Boeing into commercial, space-based communications markets.

Intended as a global service, initially Connexion by Boeing will be available to commercial airline customers operating in North America. Service later will be expanded to other regions, over ocean areas and onto other moving platforms. The system is already available for installation on private business jets today and will be available on commercial aircraft shortly. System installations are expected to begin in late 2001, with operability expected shortly thereafter.

"Our immediate task is to make these services available to the airlines and the three million airline passengers who board some 42,300 flights on Boeing-built planes daily. The system seeks a far broader market," Condit said. "Ultimately, we see Connexion by Boeing as an enabler for addressing civil and military information needs, such as air traffic management and integrated military communications."