Tenzing's approach to bringing the Internet to an airplane is an adaptive approach using existing systems, so each installation will be unique. Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways, for example, will be installing a separate data network to support onboard data speeds of 1.5 Mbps. As airlines start implementing high-speed data connections to the ground, Tenzing will be able to take advantage of the new technology as well. For now, expect to start seeing early versions of Tenzing's technology onboard international airlines throughout 2001. As for US carriers, there are no trials in the works yet.
Cost is up in the air, too, but expect to see pricing similar to mobile-phone providers.
Now, if they only supported the standard AC adapter, we could surf the Web for more than a couple hours. Tenzing does have some competition from Connexion by Boeing . Connexion uses a different approach that provides real-time access, so you can surf the Web or stream media as you streak across the sky. Connexion expects to have connection speeds of 5 Mbps downstream and 1.5 Mbps upstream. The system is currently in trials on private and government jets, but hopes are that we will see something in the fourth quarter of 2001 on commercial airlines.