Airline passengers may soon be able to use their cell phones and wireless laptops on board Boeing aircraft, thanks to a wireless communication system now being developed by a Hong Kong university.

On September 28, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, along with Tsinghau University in Beijing and Southeast University in Nanjing, signed an agreement with the Boeing aircraft company to develop a more efficient wireless communication system for commercial planes.

The team of top scientists is in the initial stages of raising wireless efficiency with regard to maintenance, communication and entertainment on aircraft.

HKUST associate professor of computer science and engineering Qian Zhang is ranked as one of the top scientists in wireless communication and is responsible for the university's partnership with Boeing.

"Today's aircraft information, including performance data and track record of the flights are not fully digitalized," she said in explaining why this project is necessary.

Currently aircraft maintenance technicians are unable to detect any irregularity in planes while they are flying, which increases maintenance diagnosis and repair on the ground.

The new research hopes to enhance communication among in-flight aircraft, maintenance technicians, and airports and cut down the ground stay of airplanes.

Such links are expected to mitigate flight delays and increase the frequency of flights, according to the university's computer science and engineering head Lionel Ni.

Research will also enhance the efficiency of onboard entertainment and reduce the costs associated with the current entertainment systems which use the lowest transmission powers.

The new technology will allow on-board passengers to safely play wireless games, use cell phones and the internet.

The implementation of this technology will not add additional weight to aircraft or change the current wiring system, Zhang said.

The university cannot predict when the technology will be put in real products, but it is already in the process of planning for the second phase of research, Ni said.

The project marks the first collaboration between the university and a major United States company. "We are honored to be named a partner in this research project, it speaks soundly of HKUST's research strength and technological capabilities," Ni said.