Air China became the first Chinese airline to provide real-time TV programs on Tuesday, when passengers on flight CA1303 watched a live broadcast of the ongoing "Two Sessions" on China Central Television via Wi-Fi.
Air China told the Beijing Times that the show was aired using China's self-developed Dongfanghong-4 satellites, which provide 20M bps ground-air broadband service.
Most Chinese and foreign airlines use Japanese and US technology to provide such services. But Air China's cooperation with China Satellite Communications Co has realized full localization of equipment and services, ranging from satellites to airborne equipment, software and control systems, according to Wang Miao, business cooperation project manager for Air China.
Last year, Air China made two test flights for its ground-air communication systems using maritime satellite and ATG technologies to test its airborne Wi-Fi systems.
So far, Air China has obtained airworthiness certifications for 21 of its airplanes, most of which fly domestic routes, and nearly 80 of its flights can now provide airborne network services. Over the next two to three years, the airline will gradually make internet accessible on all of its more than 500 planes, Wang said.
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