Mile High Wi-Fi - Features, Cost, Availability

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The initial launch of the in-flight Wi-Fi service is scheduled to begin in 2008
on a select number of American Airlines flights.  The flights which do offer the AirCell Wi-Fi service will offer all of the following features:

• Nationwide in-flight broadband Internet service.
  
• Coast-to-coast,  border-to-border, U.S. coverage, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Canadian to the Mexican borders - day 1.
  
• Usable by passengers equipped with 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi enabled devices.
  
• Real-time access to  the Internet (using the passenger's own browser, bookmarks, etc.).
  
• An array of context  and destination-related content.

AirCell hopes to expand on the list of features and options available to in-flight passengers, but the features listed here are what passengers can expect from the service upon initial launch. One feature which is not included with the in-flight Wi-Fi service is VoIP calling. This means that you will not be able to use the in-flight Internet connection to make phone calls with services such as Skype. This block on VoIP calls may eventually be lifted, but for now it is only allowed for use by pilots, flight attendants, and air marshals.

At this point, it is tough to say what these services will cost for passengers who wish to use this in-flight service. CEO of AirCell, Jack Blumstein, has said that it will cost passengers no more than $10 per day to use the Wi-Fi service.  He adds that discounts may also be offered to passengers who tie in existing service programs such as T-Mobile, iPass, and Boingo.  There is no word yet on how
passengers will pay for this service; it may be in-flight, done in much the same way as you currently buy headphones or an alcoholic beverage, or passengers may be able to purchase the service when they purchase their ticket.

The availability of the Wi-Fi service will initially be limited to the United States, but if successful, it will expand across the borders of Canada and Mexico. It is still a big question mark whether or not this technology will be successful in terms of cost, passenger use, and good coverage with no "dead spots."

Next: Will This Technology Work? >>
 

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