Boeing

Connexion by Boeing and Vodafone Team Up to Trial High-Speed Internet Access in Flight

Vodafone and The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), acting through its business unit Connexion by Boeing, today announced their intention to jointly trial the delivery of high-speed in-flight WiFi connectivity to airline passengers. Vodafone will be the first global mobile telecommunications operator to undergo trials with Connexion by Boeing, aimed at extending Vodafone's laptop data mobility services in flight.

The trial, due to start this month, will test the Vodafone customer experience with the Connexion by BoeingSM real-time, in-flight Internet service, which operates in a similar manner to ground based public Wi-Fi. Following successful completion of trials and Vodafone entering into a full agreement with Connexion by Boeing, Vodafone customers will be able to access the Internet or their corporate VPN, and have sessions billed to their Vodafone account.

"We are excited to work with Vodafone, which is a key global player in Europe and Asia, and to work toward a successful implementation of our services for their customers," said David Friedman, vice president of Marketing and Direct Sales for Connexion by Boeing. "Following successful trials and Vodafone entering into a commercial agreement with us, Vodafone customers will be able to access the Connexion by Boeing service on equipped commercial flights as we introduce high-speed in-flight connectivity worldwide."

Access by Vodafone customers to Connexion by Boeing's in-flight WiFi service is expected to launch first on Lufthansa flights in and out of Europe.

About Connexion by Boeing
Connexion by Boeing, recipient of the 2003 World Travel Award for World's Leading High-Speed In-flight Internet Services Provider, brings high-speed Internet, data and entertainment connectivity to travelers via a broadband connection to the aircraft. Connexion by Boeing has definitive agreements with Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, SAS(Scandinavian Airlines), Japan Airlines, ANA, China Airlines and Kingdom Holding Co. to equip their long-haul aircraft with the service. In addition, Korean Air and Asiana have announced their intent to install the Connexion by Boeing system on their long-range aircraft. Connexion by Boeing also offers a high-speed connectivity solution for the business aviation and maritime markets. For more information, please visit connexionbyboeing.com

About Vodafone
Vodafone is the world's largest mobile community, with equity interests in 26 countries and Partner Networks in a further 13 countries, serving over 147 million proportionate customers.
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For further information:
Cathy Rudolph
Connexion by Boeing Media Relations
Connexion by Boeing
206-655-5037
catherine.a.rudolph@boeing.com
Terrance Scott
Connexion by Boeing Media Relations
Connexion by Boeing
mobile: 206-571-8070
terrance.scott@boeing.com
Jon Earl
Vodafone Group Media Relations
+44 (0) 1635 673310
Janine Young
Vodafone Group Media Relations
+44 (0) 1635 673310
Emma Conlon
Vodafone Group Media Relations
+44 (0) 1635 673310
Lulu Bridges
Tavistock Communications
+44 (0)20 7920 3150