The trial, due to start this month (December), will test the Vodafone customer experience with the Connexion by Boeing real-time, in-flight Internet service, which operates in a similar manner to ground based public Wi-Fi. Following successful completion of trials and Vodafone entering into a full agreement with Connexion by Boeing, Vodafone customers will be able to access the Internet or their corporate VPN, and have sessions billed to their Vodafone account.
"We are excited to work with Vodafone, which is a key global player in Europe and Asia, and to work toward a successful implementation of our services for their customers," said David Friedman, vice president of Marketing and Direct Sales for Connexion by Boeing. "Following successful trials and Vodafone entering into a commercial agreement with us, Vodafone customers will be able to access the Connexion by Boeing service on equipped commercial flights as we introduce high-speed in-flight connectivity worldwide."
Access by Vodafone customers to Connexion by Boeing's in-flight WiFi service is expected to launch first on Lufthansa flights in and out of Europe.