ZTE USA, a subsidiary of Chinese telecommunications equipment maker ZTE, and Qualcomm, a developer of advanced wireless technologies and data services, have collaborated with Aircell to create a networking platform for Aircell’s new in-flight internet service, Gogo. This service first began in August on select American Airlines flights.
Aircell’s Air-to-Ground (ATG) service relies on ZTE’s EV-DO Rev. A base stations and IP switching platform and Qualcomm’s aircraft-mounted modems. ZTE, Aircell and Qualcomm’s R&D group worked together to engineer a custom service that would maximize the in-flight service.
According to the company, ZTE’s base stations are stationed across the US to support service for Aircell’s airline customers. While en route, subscriber WiFi traffic is transmitted to ZTE’s CDMA EV-DO Rev. A networking equipment via Qualcomm’s aircraft-mounted modems. The technology was engineered to accommodate the high speed and high altitude of aircraft connecting with the base station. As a result, the service improves upon previous in-flight wireless services, which were slow, expensive and complex, claims the company.
Ahmad Jalali, vice president of technology for Qualcomm, said: “Qualcomm was pleased to collaborate with Aircell and ZTE to enable this wireless service. EV-DO Rev. A was a choice for creating a high-speed data connection to carry the aircraft’s passenger traffic to ZTE base stations on the ground.”
ZTE has recently developed a prototype of 10G EPON network equipment including related system services. The ZXA10 C220 and MDU prototype equipment are unified platforms designed for EPON, 10G EPON and GPON networks. Designed to enable a smooth upgrade for xPON networks, the terminal equipment has high volume and advanced backplane architecture, expected to enhance bandwidth and services access capability.
