Boeing

Regulatory agencies from Ireland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands have granted authorization for The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) to use a range of Ku-band radio frequencies for its revolutionary Connexion by Boeing ^SM mobile information service.

The authorizations have been granted in support of service demonstrations with Lufthansa German Airlines and British Airways that will begin in the first quarter of 2003. The two leading European air carriers are pioneering the use of broadband connectivity onboard commercial aircraft and will commence three-month service demonstrations in January and February, respectively.

Through their market-leading efforts, airline passengers soon will be able to choose from a multitude of personalized real-time services in flight including access to high-speed Internet, intranet and e-mail services, e-commerce, shopping, entertainment content and travel and destination information on trans-Atlantic flights between Europe and North America.

"We are extremely pleased with the willingness of the regulatory agencies to authorize the commercial service demonstrations planned for early next year," said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson. "Our regulatory team has worked extremely hard and we are continuing to garner the licenses and global regulatory support necessary for the introduction of in-flight broadband connectivity."

The Connexion by Boeing service for commercial airlines is now less than three months away following stringent review by government agencies in each country that has the responsibility for allocating radio frequencies. To support those efforts, Connexion by Boeing has used a dedicated Boeing 737 aircraft for research, testing, validation and demonstrations to ensure the service can operate within its allocated spectrum without causing radio interference with other spectrum users. In a parallel effort, the Connexion by Boeing regulatory team has worked extensively with countries that are members of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) for the global spectrum allocation.

"The support we have received from the ITU-member states has been gratifying," said Karen Gielen, Connexion by Boeing executive director of Regulatory Affairs. "They have developed an appreciation for what we're trying to accomplish and have helped us pave the way for the commencement of customer demonstrations with Lufthansa and British Airways."

In addition to the passenger connectivity benefits, Connexion by Boeing's unique broadband service provides airlines with a choice for an e-enablement framework for commercial aircraft, transforming them into a value-added node on an airline's global information network, allowing in-flight crews to talk to the airline operation center and move data simultaneously over multiple channels when they want, wherever they want. By taking advantage of the service's unmatched bandwidth, airline personnel can send and receive information that enhances operational efficiencies on the ground and in the cabin environment.