Tenzing Communications
Encyclopedia
Tenzing Communications of Seattle was founded in 1999 by software developer Simon "Symonty" Gresham, with the backing of Airbus
.
The firm had intended to launch in-flight data services, including text messaging
, instant messaging
, and email using broadband satellite receivers using Inmarsat
's fourth-generation (4G
) system. However, the satellites were not launched until March 2005 ( I4 F1 ), November 2005 ( I4 F2 ) and planned April 2008 for the final Pacific Ocean Region, I4 F3.
In 2001, After the tragedy on 9/11 in New York, the FAA would not allow travelers to carry bags or laptops in the passenger cabin, this derailed the company and it followed up by laying off 90% of its workforce.
In the interim, Tenzing deployed a very-low-bandwidth system in partnership with Verizon AirFone
’s radiotelephone
network. This system was in commercial operation on United Airlines
and a few other U.S. carriers for more than a year before being discontinued.
In 2004, Tenzing merged its operations into a new company, OnAir
, formed with SITA
and Airbus
. OnAir originally intended to introduce broadband
and in-flight cell services in 2005, but further delays in Inmarsat's satellite launches and other factors have put inflight trials back until early 2008 and first announced launch customer on Kingfisher Airlines
mid 2009. At that time it plans to offer an in-flight cell GSM phone service, at international roaming
rates.
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
.
The firm had intended to launch in-flight data services, including text messaging
Text messaging
Text messaging, or texting, refers to the exchange of brief written text messages between fixed-line phone or mobile phone and fixed or portable devices over a network...
, instant messaging
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
, and email using broadband satellite receivers using Inmarsat
Inmarsat
Inmarsat plc is a British satellite telecommunications company, offering global, mobile services. It provides telephony and data services to users worldwide, via portable or mobile terminals which communicate to ground stations through eleven geostationary telecommunications satellites...
's fourth-generation (4G
4G
In telecommunications, 4G is the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. It is a successor to the 3G and 2G families of standards. In 2009, the ITU-R organization specified the IMT-Advanced requirements for 4G standards, setting peak speed requirements for 4G service at 100 Mbit/s...
) system. However, the satellites were not launched until March 2005 ( I4 F1 ), November 2005 ( I4 F2 ) and planned April 2008 for the final Pacific Ocean Region, I4 F3.
In 2001, After the tragedy on 9/11 in New York, the FAA would not allow travelers to carry bags or laptops in the passenger cabin, this derailed the company and it followed up by laying off 90% of its workforce.
In the interim, Tenzing deployed a very-low-bandwidth system in partnership with Verizon AirFone
Airfone
Airfone is a brand of air-ground radiotelephone service offered by Verizon. Airfone allows passengers to make telephone calls in-flight. It was originated by John D. Goeken in the 1970s. Western Union purchased a fifty percent share in Airfone in 1981 and sold to GTE in 1986 for $39 million cash...
’s radiotelephone
Radiotelephone
A radiotelephone is a communications system for transmission of speech over radio. Radiotelephone systems are not necessarily interconnected with the public "land line" telephone network. "Radiotelephone" is often used to describe the usage of radio spectrum where it is important to distinguish the...
network. This system was in commercial operation on United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
and a few other U.S. carriers for more than a year before being discontinued.
In 2004, Tenzing merged its operations into a new company, OnAir
OnAir
Incorporated in February 2005, OnAir is a joint venture with SITA and Airbus. OnAir is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and has operations in Seattle and Montreal and sales offices in London, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai....
, formed with SITA
SITA
SITA is a multinational information technology company specialising in providing IT and telecommunication services to the air transport industry...
and Airbus
Airbus
Airbus SAS is an aircraft manufacturing subsidiary of EADS, a European aerospace company. Based in Blagnac, France, surburb of Toulouse, and with significant activity across Europe, the company produces around half of the world's jet airliners....
. OnAir originally intended to introduce broadband
Broadband
The term broadband refers to a telecommunications signal or device of greater bandwidth, in some sense, than another standard or usual signal or device . Different criteria for "broad" have been applied in different contexts and at different times...
and in-flight cell services in 2005, but further delays in Inmarsat's satellite launches and other factors have put inflight trials back until early 2008 and first announced launch customer on Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines
Kingfisher Airlines is an airline group based in India. Its head office is Kingfisher House in Vile Parle , Mumbai. Kingfisher Airlines, through its parent company United Breweries Group, has a 50% stake in low-cost carrier Kingfisher Red....
mid 2009. At that time it plans to offer an in-flight cell GSM phone service, at international roaming
Roaming
In wireless telecommunications, roaming is a general term referring to the extension of connectivity service in a location that is different from the home location where the service was registered. Roaming ensures that the wireless device is kept connected to the network, without losing the...
rates.