March 2008

Ground Communications Technology in the Sky

The declining cost of cabin electronics has forced previously skeptical airlines to reconsider passenger connectivity services.   While passenger surveys have shown strong demand since 2001, low cost hardware is finally allowing airlines to supply services with far more reasonable capital outlays.  However, as communications technology has advanced, choices have expanded, even in the face of standards like ARINC 763, and air carriers are now choosing from a growing selection of GSM and Wi-Fi cabin architectures. 

 
As airlines spend more time and effort planning cabin networks, many are asking :

-how many picocells and access points will be installed on commercial jets over the next three years?

 
-to what extent do pricing, cabling requirements, and demand differ for GSM and Wi-Fi services?

 
-wireless in-flight entertainment systems have been shelved, and Connexion failed, what’s different about this market?

In addition to analyses of equipment vendors and service providers, this study looks at the factors influencing the market’s overall growth, as well as the points airlines consider when choosing between a Wi-Fi or GSM communications architecture.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 The Economics

1.1 Why Now?

1.2 Don't Look Up1.3 Old Spectrum, New Ownership

1.4 Eliminating Costs Faster than They're Losing Weight

Exhibit 1.1 – Server, Antenna, Cabling, and Access Point Weights in Passenger Communication Networks

1.5 Growth Surrounding the Industry

Exhibit 1.2 – Astronics Cabin Electronics Revenue

Exhibit 1.3 – Inmarsat Aero Revenue

1.6 Microeconomics, not Macroeconomics

 

Chapter 2 The Technologies

2.1 Leaky Feeder Cables vs. Distributed Antennas

2.2 What about Interference?

2.3 Software Gateways

2.4 Ku-Band Picocell Configuration Similar to Air-to-Ground Configuration

Exhibit 2.1 – Ku-Band L-Band Air-to-Ground Cabin Technologies

2.5 Other Wi-Fi Applications : EFBs, FOQA, and Cabin Surveillance

2.6 100BASE-TX and -FX Wiring Becoming Standard in Airliners

 

Chapter 3 The Companies

3.1 AeroMobile

3.2 Formation, Cisco, and ip.access

3.3 Row 44

3.4 Aircell

 

Chapter 4 The Forecasts

Exhibit 4.1 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on CRJs & ERJs

Exhibit 4.2 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on E-170s & E-190s

Exhibit 4.3 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on A320s (Including A318s, A319s, and A321s)

Exhibit 4.4 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on 737s

Exhibit 4.5 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on DC-9s, MD-80s, & 717s

Exhibit 4.6 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on 757s

Exhibit 4.7 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on 767s

Exhibit 4.8 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on 787s

Exhibit 4.9 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on 777s

Exhibit 4.10 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on A330s/A340s

Exhibit 4.11 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on 747s

Exhibit 4.12 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on A380s

Exhibit 4.13 – Total GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Commercial Airliners

Exhibit 4.14 – Total GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Narrowbody Airliners

Exhibit 4.15 – Total GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Widebody Airliners

Exhibit 4.16 – Total GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Boeing Airliners

Exhibit 4.17 – Total GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Airbus Airliners=

Exhibit 4.18 – Total GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Embraer and Bombardier Airliners

Exhibit 4.19 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Narrowbodies/Widebodies 2008

Exhibit 4.20 – GSM and Wi-Fi Systems Installed on Narrowbodies/Widebodies 2011