Google could soon start offering in-flight Wi-Fi.
The search giant is reportedly pursuing an acquisition of Nokia’s Oyj airplane broadband business, according to a new report from Bloomberg.
Citing “people familiar with the matter,” the publication says “an agreement may be reached soon” — though it cautions that both Google and Nokia may decide against a potential deal.
The acquisition, were it to go through, would be a major boon for travellers who lament the lack of connectivity on commercial airplane flights.
Nokia’s LTE A2G technology works differently from the spotty tech typically associated with in-flight Wi-Fi. Instead of bouncing off broadband signals off a satellite, LTE A2G establishes a direct link between an aircraft and the ground. With Google’s resources, travellers could quickly find the technology available on most flights.
Currently, the best known provider of in-flight Wi-Fi is a firm called Gogo.
In November, the company announced a partnership with Air Canada to provide the airline’s frequent flyers with complimentary Wi-Fi. At the time, Air Canada was the only airline in North America to offer complimentary Wi-Fi to its frequent flyer members.
Image courtesy of Flickr user Caribb
Source: Bloomberg
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