Row 44 now has both of its scheduled airline trials under way following last week’s introduction of the Ku-band connectivity service aboard a single Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-700.
Three weeks ago Southwest Airlines launched a trial aboard the first of four 737s to be equipped. Both airlines say they will implement Row 44-based services fleetwide if the results are satisfactory.
The Alaska service, supporting Internet and VPN access, email and text messaging via passengers’ own WiFi-capable devices, will be available for about two months on the airline’s route from Seattle to San Jose, California.
Branded “Alaska Airlines Inflight WiFi,” it will initially be offered free of charge. Whether charges will be introduced later in the trial or only in any subsequent full implementation is unclear. The airline says it is soliciting passengers’ views on pricing and that “the structure will be flexible and will put the choice of how to pay in the hands of the customer.”
Passengers using their laptops, smartphones or personal media players to log on to the service first encounter a dedicated Inflight WiFi homepage offering live news, music, shopping and links to services on Alaska’s own Website. They can then navigate to the Web, their private networks and Web email services. However, VoIP voice calling is barred, and the system is not designed to support cellular links.
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
Connect with us on socials
