Boeing, Qualcomm, UTStarcom test in-flight cellular

August 8, 2005 -- (MobileVillage) -- Qualcomm and Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Co., have announced that they are working together to test and demonstrate in-flight wireless communications aboard Connexion One, a specially equipped Boeing 737-400 aircraft.

The companies have performed a series of test flights that they claim successfully demonstrated the simultaneous use of CDMA and GSM mobile phone technology over an on-board network with infrastructure and integration support from UTStarcom, Inc. (NASDAQ:UTSI).

Using standard cellular communications, a small in-cabin CDMA2000 and GSM "picocell," or small cellular base station, is connected to the worldwide terrestrial network by an air-to-ground satellite link provided by the Connexion by Boeing high-speed airborne network.

Qualcomm says that passengers on the test flight were able to use applications based on Qualcomm's BREW platform, which enables users to download business applications, 3D games, information and communication applications such as email and instant messenger wirelessly, over the air. Passengers also downloaded and watched video clips and made phone calls on a variety of mobile devices including 3G mobile phones.

The data tests were conducted over CDMA2000 1X and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO and voice calls were made over CDMA2000 and GSM.

Qualcomm and Connexion by Boeing will continue to perform research and development supporting the feasibility of in-flight mobile telephony and evaluate the potential for interference from multi-technology picocell networks and mobile phones to other aircraft systems and terrestrial networks.

The participating companies claim that safety is a top priority, and have committed to research and testing to ensure there is no potential for interference with both aircraft systems and terrestrial networks

Working in collaboration with Boeing Commercial Airplanes, the testing began in May 2005, and will continue through September 2005.

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