United Airlines will be the first carrier in the US to offer in-flight broadband access via WiFi. NYT
writes today that the airline received approval from regulators to install wireless Internet networks on its planes. It won't be until late 2006 when passengers will be able to check e-mail, send instant messages and surf the Web at 30,000 feet. Unlike its competitors like Lufthansa, United is not going to use Boeing's
Connexion technology to offer the service. Instead, the airline will build upon its existing phone network:
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United's Wi-Fi system will piggyback on its existing onboard phone network, which is operated in a partnership with Verizon. Data will be transmitted to and received from the planes through towers on the ground.
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No information has been given how this network compares to Connexion regarding pricing and capacity.