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Friday, December 03, 2004

SIA to offer broadband service on some flights

SINGAPORE (AP) - Singapore Airlines will introduce high-speed Internet access on some long-haul flights beginning next year.

Under a deal signed Thursday, the airline and a Boeing subsidiary will provide broadband service for selected flights on the Singapore-London route in early 2005.

Singapore Airlines said it planned to extend the service to other routes.

The Boeing subsidiary, Connexion by Boeing, will also provide live international television through passengers' wireless-enabled laptops on Singapore Airlines flights from mid-2005 onwards.

More than 40 aircraft, or about half of the airline's fleet, will eventually have broadband service, said Yap Kim Wah, a senior vice president of the airline.

He said the cost of the project was in the "multi-millions.''

Passengers could pay up to US$29.95 (euro22.42) for unlimited access to the Internet on flights that are longer than six hours, the airline said.

Connexion is in talks with SingTel and Starhub, two of Singapore's telecommunications operators, to allow subscribers to gain access to their broadband accounts on flights.

Connexion has signed deals with several other airlines to provide broadband access on flights.

German airline Lufthansa and All Nippon Airways of Japan already provide the service on some routes. - AP

For another perspective from The Straits Times, a partner of Asia News Network, click here.

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