HONG KONG, Jan. 14, 2004 -- Connexion by BoeingSM , a business unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA), today announced an expansion of its service offering to include high speed satellite broadband capability for the maritime industry.
"We're actively engaged in discussions with several of the leading maritime operators, as well as potential distributors, and have received a tremendously positive response to our service and the speeds at which we can move data," said Connexion by Boeing President Scott Carson. "Operators of vessels around the world have the immediate need to stay connected, allowing a more informed and efficient operation, no matter where they are in the world -- close to shore or in the shipping lanes across the Pacific and other oceanic regions."
Connexion by Boeing has successfully tested real-time data communication and a live, high-quality video teleconferencing from a private vessel in Seattle's Lake Union to its Seattle campus. The Connexion by Boeing maritime solution is expected to be approximately ten times faster than the most commonly deployed narrowband maritime communications systems available today, and significantly less expensive to use. Details on system and service pricing will be announced closer to service launch.
Applying the broadband capability of Connexion by Boeing to the maritime communications industry is a natural complement to its commercial airline service. The maritime solution leverages the existing satellite and ground-based network Connexion by Boeing has established and will bring the same capabilities for robust, high-speed connectivity to the maritime industry. Existing networks will provide coverage in the North Atlantic and a solution for Pacific Ocean coverage will be announced in the very near future.
Vessel operators and their passengers can use Connexion by Boeing to access the Internet and firewall-protected corporate intranets, send outgoing emails or open large attachments from incoming emails; get the news, weather or destination information; or view satellite television programming. The service will also enhance ship-to-shore communications for ship captains and crew -- providing new opportunities for long-distance learning, improve crew morale, remote monitoring of ships' systems and cargo, improved maintenance, and to make better routing decisions. All of these capabilities are expected to significantly improve the efficiency and safety of operations at sea.
Maritime communications, a $1 billion industry, targets ship operators, merchant fleets, governments and private yacht owners.
About Connexion by Boeing
Connexion by Boeing, a business unit of The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), is the mobile information services provider bringing broadband Internet, data and entertainment connectivity to mobile travelers. Connexion by Boeing recently announced definitive service agreements with Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) and Japan Airlines to equip their fleets of long-haul aircraft with the service beginning in early 2004. In addition, British Airways has completed a successful service demonstration, and All-Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines and China Airlines have announced their intent to install the Connexion by BoeingSM service on their long-range aircraft. For additional information, please visit www.connexionbyboeing.com or for general information www.boeing.com/connexion
Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty
Certain statements in this release contain "forward-looking" information that involves risk and uncertainty, including projections for new business and new business opportunities, compliance with delivery schedules, current and future markets for the Company's products, and decisions regarding production of Company products and offering of Company services. This forward-looking information is based upon a number of assumptions including assumptions regarding current and future demand for the Company's products and services; internal performance; product performance; customer financing; customer, supplier and subcontractor performance; favorable outcomes of certain pending sales campaigns; supplier contract negotiations; government policies and actions; and regulatory approvals. Actual future results and trends may differ materially depending on a variety of factors, including the Company's successful execution of internal performance plans, including continued research and development, production rate increases and decreases, timing of product deliveries and launches, supplier contract negotiations, acceptance of new products and services, product performance risks, the cyclical nature of some of the Company's businesses; volatility of the market for certain products and services, actions by regulatory agencies, other regulatory uncertainties, collective bargaining labor disputes; performance issues with key suppliers, subcontractors and customers; governmental export and import policies; factors that result in significant and prolonged disruption to air travel worldwide; global trade policies; worldwide political stability and economic conditions; the outcome of political and legal processes, including uncertainty regarding government funding of certain programs; termination of government contracts due to unilateral government action or failure to perform; legal, financial and governmental risks related to international transactions; legal proceedings; and other economic, political and technological risks and uncertainties. Additional information regarding these factors is contained in the Company's SEC filings, including, without limitation, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 2002 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
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