German Firm Touts In-Flight Internet Access SuccessGerman Firm Touts In-Flight Internet Access Success

Live Internet capability for passenger airlines has been developed by a German company and is scheduled to be unveiled Tuesday at the World Airline Entertainment Association Meeting in Miami.

TriaGnoSys said it has successfully tested its TriaComMa Internet access software for the Airbus A380.

The milestone is seen as another example of European companies are moving quickly to fill the void in in-flight Internet and entertainment systems after Boeing pulled the plug on its Connexion service in August.

The TriaComMa solution can operate on passenger laptops and aircraft seatback in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems, the German firm said Thursday. A range of satellite services are supported in the application including Inmarsat Swift64, SwiftBroadband, Ku-band and Gatelink.

The application allows for the use of off-the-shelf software. "Airlines can use either standard software, or their own customized software without going through the expensive process of adapting it for cabin and satellite use," said Axel Jahn, TriaGnoSys managing director, in a statement. "New applications can be added very simply, by software configuration."

The system enables e-mail, instant messaging, and broadband Internet access. Other features included in the TriaComMa application are cabin surveillance, baggage tracing, gate information, and emergency functions like telemedicine.

The announcement comes just days after European carrier said it plans to begin deploying its fleet of Boeing 737's with onboard systems that will allow passengers to use their cell phones on flights. The Ryanair application will also permit the use of e-mail and text messaging