ZTE today said it is supplying ground-air broadband system to Air China for its first in-flight internet service and passenger experience test.
The Chinese telecom network vendor also provided technical and service support.
During the test, which took place during a one-hour flight from Beijing to Chengdu, Air China passengers accessed online services through Wi-Fi, including WeChat, instant messaging, micro-blogging, e-mail, online gaming, online payments, real-time video and online movies.
Air China, the first airline to provide ground-air internet services in China, conducted the test based on 4G technology. The system adopted customized LTE wireless equipment while ground base-stations were placed along the flight route and specific air space to achieve aerial coverage. The system provides wireless data bandwidth of from 30 to 60Mbps for aircraft at different heights, said ZTE.
To provide secure, efficient and convenient ground-air broadband services, ZTE made a significant investment to solve the communication problems between airborne devices and base-stations on the ground.
In 2006 ZTE launched the first aerial broadband mobile system in the industry in partnership with Aircell and Qualcomm. The system provided nine US airlines, including 1,500 planes, with a range of airborne mobile services.
