Disqus
While in-flight mobile phone use in the US is likely grounded for the forseeable future, it looks like air-travelers will be able to get their airborne internet-fix soon. JetBlue Airways has announced that they’ll be trialling free internet access – email and instant messages – on Tuesday. The test-trial will only be offered on one of the airline’s aircraft, but that single airplane with internet access will be a much-welcomed change from traditionally data- and voice-free flights.
American Airlines, Virgin America, and Alaska Airlines will be launching their own fleet-wide internet-access services in the near term. The service will likely cost $10 per flight.
Virgin will give passengers access to email through their in-seat entertainment system, while other airlines will be offering WiFi connections in the cabin. Internet access will only be enabled while at cruising altitude – the service will be turned off while the plane is on the tarmac and during the take-off and landing phases of the flight (we wouldn’t want any fiery crashes just so little Jimmy can get his MySpace-fix, now would we?).
There’s no word on whether VoIP calls will be allowed, but here’s to hoping!
[Via: Computer World]
About The Author
Will Park
Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...
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Rob@NextInWireless
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Will Park
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