The A350 XWB's proposed in-flight entertainment architecture is an optical fibre backbone with copper wires to seat back systems, while a coaxial cable running the length of the aircraft above the ceiling would provides wireless connectivity with email, text and mobile phone call services.
Acting as an antenna for a mobile phone pico-cell system the coaxial cable is known as the "leaky line" because about every 2m (6.5ft) its sheath, which normally limits electromagnetic radiation emissions, is thinned to allow electromagnetic signals to reach mobiles and to enable it to pick up telephones' in-cabin low power broadcasts.
Source: Flight International
