AirCell says it successfully showed broadband speeds on an airplane uses ground-to-air communication: AirCell reports average speeds of 300 to 500 Kpbs, and peaks of 2.4 Mbps. Their plan is to use a network of ground-based towers to offer cellular voice and data in planes with passengers using their own, existing cellular equipment. The test was with a business jet, but they say they looked at many parameters. The company says it is in discussions to offer the service commercially by next summer.
Connexion by Boeing and Tenzing on focused on satellites to bring bandwidth to planes, but AirCell and Sky Way (which has a more Homeland Security oriented business) are using ground towers pointing at the air. It could wind up being substantially less expensive if they can get the frequencies and the sites, especially if they can backhaul bandwidth to the ground towers wirelessly. [link via Daily Wireless]