SEATTLE-Airline passengers may soon be able to access personal mobile communications applications during flights with a new subscriber identity module-card based solution from Altobridge.
The solution combines Altobridge’s communications architecture with a passenger’s SIM card to convert seatback Inflight Entertainment Equipment (IFE) into a personal communications device without transmitting radio signals. Calls and transactions made are charged to the passenger’s existing mobile account.
“At a time when airlines need a shot in the arm to boost revenues, the Altobridge SIM solution can deliver a much-needed revenue stream through the provision of a personal communications and m-commerce service,” explained Mike Fitzgerald, chief executive officer of Altobridge. “The utilization of SIM-card technology to bring standard communications devices into the mobile telephony world is not new, but what is unique about the Altobridge architecture is the ability to do so within the bandwidth restrictive environs of the aircraft.”
