One software company using Inmarsat is US-based Tenzing, which provides data services and live television to airline passengers. News, sport and entertainment content are loaded on to on-board servers at airports. Live updates are delivered every half hour during flights for viewing on laptops or seat-back screens. It takes around ten minutes for the first batch to be delivered. Users can read and reply to received messages while others are being forwarded.
Notification is sent of attachments or large files.
Virgin Atlantic, wanting a global, cost-efficient system which avoided a big aircraft refit, will phase in the Tenzing data system for long haul aircraft in November. Most airlines are putting televisions into seat backs for all passenger classes but it is up to them as to who can access this service. While live video is not available for display on personal laptops, our planned data services will be. Although Inmarsat may have a strong market position at present, major competitors are emerging from the wings. Boeing, the US aircraft manufacturer, is developing a broadband passenger communications network and has filed initial applications for antenna certification.