The In Flight Network, which has a planned phased deployment starting late next year, will be the world's first global inflight entertainment network to offer live coverage of news, sports and entertainment events, in addition to recorded audio/video programming and broadband Internet access.

IFN's global, satellite-based, broadband digital communications network will also support multiple video channels, with programming automatically tailored to the length of flight and specific destinations.

IFN affiliate airlines can provide their passengers with differentiated, airline-specific, co-branded programming options of business and entertainment channels in multiple languages.

IFN's advertiser-supported business model enables global and national advertisers, as well as local and regional advertisers, to deliver full-motion broadcast video spots to aircraft in flight throughout the world. Web-based video spots and banner ads can also be delivered to PC users on targeted aircraft and airport premises.

IFN's onboard equipment will allow advertising content to be accepted and inserted on a near real-time basis. Programming and advertising can be tailored for aircraft point-of-origin or destination and changed automatically to accommodate specific flight segments or changes in routing.

Internet and e-mail capabilities are planned by IFN. This will allow passenger connectivity of laptops or Personal Data Assistants (PDAs) through a wireless network on the aircraft.

News Corporation Executive Vice President James Murdoch said: "The In Flight Network will revolutionize airline entertainment by offering passengers a world of options from live broadcasts, to video, to Internet access. "Sports fans will be able to watch major sporting events live - at 30,000 feet. Business travelers and families can stay connected to office and home extending the reach of today's new generation of wireless, mobile applications," add Murdoch.

"IFN will change the inflight entertainment landscape," said Clay Jones, president of Rockwell Collins. "Passengers will stay connected to their digital worlds for entertainment, information and e-mail around the world.

"With Rockwell Collins systems integration expertise and the immense programming content and satellite communications and broadcasting expertise offered by News Corporation, airline travel will be transformed."

"IFN's broadband, Internet-like architecture enables airlines to leverage their inflight entertainment offering to create true competitive advantage," said News Corporation Senior Vice President Jeff Wales, who will serve as CEO of IFN.

"The In Flight Network uses proven, existing satellite communications facilities and digital broadcasting technology to deliver a compelling new information and entertainment experience to airline passengers throughout the world. IFN's open architecture allows strategic marketing and technology partners to gain access to IFN's prime demographic audience."

The IFN airborne system utilizes the Rockwell Collins Integrated Information System (I2S). This provides a flexible, PC-like computing capability onboard aircraft and offers airlines a wide range of software applications for flight crew, cabin crew, maintenance and passenger services.

In Flight Network content for passengers, as well as maintenance diagnostics, navigation databases and flight plan data are exchanged quickly and accurately via its low-power microwave airport gatelink system while the aircraft is on the ground. Data such as real-time graphical weather can be transferred via the IFN's airborne satellite communication system.

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