Sky-high Wi-Fi ready to fly

Airline passengers will be able to surf the internet in the air almost as fast as they do on the ground, as China Unicom, China's second-largest telecom carrier by subscribers, prepares to demonstrate its in-flight Wi-Fi service next month.

The move came shortly after local airlines were allowed to decide for themselves whether passengers could use personal electronic devices during flights, paving the way for a new multibillion market.

China Unicom said more than 80 airplanes from carriers including China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines have been equipped with its internet software and systems.