"Communication satellites received intermittent data "pings" from a missing Malaysia Airlines jet, giving the plane's location, speed and altitude"

That's more than just a modem ping. Really, information is drip-dripping out.
This is really quite detailed information, altitude etc, hence, I assume, the previous speculation (also form WSJ) that the plane may have landed. I assume earlier pings showed it on or close to the ground.
Really quite surprising indeed.
I am assuming it still all ends badly as the pings do come to an end, if this report is to be believed. But the story of a possible landing may mean people were offloaded, which is very uplifting indeed.