Promises Inflight Mobile Phone Services

ASiQ Limited announced the release of the world’s first aircraft Bluetooth Access Point Tuesday.
 
“Up until now passengers have only had very expensive options for in flight mobile phone communications. However, with the evolution of our SafeCell App, combined with our new Bluetooth Access Point, airlines will now be able to offer their passengers affordable SMS, MMS, voice messaging and text email on the popular device of choice, the mobile phone," said Ron Chapman ASiQ’s CEO. "Better still SafeCell eliminates GSM roaming charges, as it does not require a GSM Picocell connection to deliver its services.”

Bluetooth access points are more efficient, as they operate as a Personal Area Network (PAN) and unlike Wi-Fi do not have to connect to the internet, in order to establish a link. The SafeCell App is unique in that file sizes are so small, even a narrow band satellite link can accommodate the basic texting needs of every passenger. Plus, Bluetooth can transmit at up to 3 megabits per second, which means it can accommodate any data or media requirement.

With ASiQ’s proprietary PAN design, two access points can cover a narrow body aircraft such as a Boeing 737 or Airbus 320. Up to 192 mobiles can be logged on to each Access Point.

The SafeCell system is projected to cost as little as $10k per aircraft, compared to GSM based systems costing around $500k per aircraft and a Wi-Fi system costing around $100K per aircraft for a US domestic airline and up to $350k for an international airline.

ASiQ says several airlines have been following the progress of SafeCell which was patented in January this year, and Chapman says he expects to announce the first installation of the new access point in the second quarter of 2010.

FMI: www.asiq.com