Wi-Fi Internet Connection Available On A Flight In One Year

Well, you might not be able to use your cell phone to talk on a flight, but you can surf. Starting in 2008, U.S. planes will allow Wi-Fi in the air. For those of you who can't bear to be disconnected from the Internet, this is your chance.

Now, we suppose that you could use a smartphone for Web access, although the main reason that the FCC keeps on banning mobile phone usage is the interference factor. We presume that Wi-Fi doesn't present the same sort of problem, so as long as you are using that Blackberry in Wi-Fi mode, you should be good to go.


Another question we have is about portable VoIP phones. Presumably, using a VoIP connection is akin to surfing on a laptop. Does that qualify as being OK? We just don't know.

What we do know is that AirCell will be the provider for in-flight Wi-Fi and that you'll have an up-front charge of US$10. And what we also presume is that many larger planes will be outfitted with seat-back electrical outlets, so you can use that laptop and not have to worry about the battery running out in the middle of playing World of Warcraft ... sorry, analyzing your company's latest spreadsheets.




Written by Monica Tele
Published in Wireless