Boeing gets federal license for Net venture

CHICAGO: Federal regulators granted Boeing Co. a license for Connexion by

Boeing, a high-speed airborne Internet service being developed for air travelers

to transmit and receive broadband data, the world's largest commercial airplane

maker said on Thursday.

Boeing, based in Chicago, is going forward with the venture even though the

three largest US airlines recently pulled out of a deal to be partners on the

project.

Boeing said the landmark two-way license, the first of its kind in the

broadband satellite services industry, will enable operators of commercial

airliners and executive jets, both private and government, to offer real-time,

high-speed Internet and intranet access, television and e-mail.

Boeing chief executive Phil Condit has said in the short run, Connexion will

focus on more military applications. But he still believes the project is viable

for commercial airliners. "This license signals a new era for in-flight

connectivity and further strengthens our efforts in the mobile economy,"

said Scott Carson, president of Connexion by Boeing. A prototype is currently

available to certain customers.

Connexion by Boeing also remains on track with Germany's Lufthansa AG to

equip its long-haul fleet beginning with a prototype installation in late 2002

or early 2003, Boeing said.

© Reuters Limited.