The Connexion service will be available for some flights over the Atlantic Ocean by the end of 2002 with a full deployment six months later. Pacific Ocean coverage will follow roughly a year later. The slow rollout of Boeing's service outside the U.S. is providing rivals with an opportunity. Seattle start-up Tenzing in April launched its airborne Internet service with Singapore Airlines. During a flight, this content is updated using globe-spanning Inmarsat satellites over a relatively slow connection.
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Tenzing plans to charge eventually for e-mail transmission. In addition to Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic has announced its intention to deploy Tenzing's system. Boeing has high hopes for the Connexion service, which is targeted squarely at business users willing to pay for a useful service.