Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, and Voyant International Corporation, a diversified digital media and technology holding company, have teamed to offer a terrestrial-based inflight Internet connectivity solution to commercial airline passengers.

Voyant plans to launch its service in approximately one year, focusing initially on providing broadband connectivity to passengers in North America, and ultimately expanding service to Europe and then the rest of the world.

The service would provide access to e-mail with attachments, corporate VPNs (virtual private networks), free “walled-garden” Internet (allowing access to a selection of material), premium unrestricted Internet, free and premium multimedia content, VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) and cellular voice subject to airline and government approval, and PDA connectivity.

“Voyant intends to cost-effectively provide up to 35 MB/s to each airplane in a full fleet of aircraft without relying on expensive satellite transponders,” a Voyant spokesperson said.

The connectivity solution includes a small antenna installed on the aircraft’s underside and a compact radio, Wi-Fi router, and femtocell (subject to airline and government approval) inside the aircraft.

Femto cells are smaller than Pico cells and provide a smaller coverage area.
“The fact that the antenna is on the underside of the aircraft means that routine and simple antenna maintenance can be performed at the gate, instead of in a hangar,” the Voyant spokesperon said.

The companies signed a letter of intent that will include a combination of technology licenses, service agreements, and engineering cooperation.