Superfast Airborne Wi-Fi Is Coming to Europe's Planes
- Inmarsat, Deutsche Telekom prepare inflight Wi-Fi system
- Europe lags far behind U.S. in onboard internet access
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Starting early next year, travelers on some Lufthansa flights in Europe will be able to surf the web using airborne Wi-Fi that promises speeds and coverage that trounce existing offerings.
The network, which will use Inmarsat Plc’s satellites and Deutsche Telekom AG towers on the ground, aims to let business travelers check the news and vacationers chat with friends as they jet across one of the world’s most crowded airspaces. While existing inflight Wi-Fi services rely on satellites or terrestrial infrastructure but not both, Inmarsat and Telekom say their hybrid approach offers seamless service at a lower cost.