IPTV up in the air

by David Masters

It would seem that there is a totally untapped market for IPTV. The marketplace is on every commercial aircraft that ferry people around confined in a small tight space. IPTV would work very well in a situation similar to this.

Virgin have already adopted a video on demand service on its fights, this offers the ability for passengers to select movies from a menu and pay for them as they watch, this would be a great hit with the kids who are more easily bored than some adults, they can also choose from a choice of games too. Just make sure that you are not sitting in the next seat!

Naturally there are going to be some problems, the first that springs to mind is the speed of the plane, they travel at between 500 mph and 600 mph, there would need to be a system that could follow the plane as it travels across the sky. There is the possibility of using satellites or a number of ground stations. So even though the marker may be more or less untapped, the practical applications are a long way from being established.

There is also the consideration of weight, introducing the equipment into an aircraft where weight is at premium, may not going down well, and then there is the possibility that only a few passengers will actually use the system, so then the airline have added weight and very little return. Not a very good business plan, unless the system can be made cheaper, lighter and has a good coverage.

Add to Bookmarks:

ADD TO DEL.ICIO.US ADD TO DIGG ADD TO FURL