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10th December 2004 - Vodafone and The Boeing Company,
acting through its business unit Connexion by Boeing,
today announced their intention to jointly trial the
delivery of high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi 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 Boeing(SM)
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 Wi-Fi 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.
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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