September 15th, 2008
In-flight Internet: Web sites, but not phone calls
The New York Times has a great essay about the new capability of Internet and VoIP on airplanes (Internet connectivity! E-mail! Instant messages!) and the restrictions (No phone calls! No Skype!) that accompany it.
As it turns out, the service by Aircell allows you to get broadband connectivity. But American Airlines — so far the only airline offering Aircell’s in-flight Internet access, named Gogo — has erected technological barriers to block Skype and similar software from enabling voice calls in the airplane cabin. In other words, you may, but you may not.
If you live in an urban area, the debate is akin to the one about the use of cell phones on the subway. The Times reports:
Airlines should allow voice calls, at least for business travelers, one woman posting on Computerworld.com said, adding that she thought businesspeople could be counted on to use the service in a “respectful, quiet manner.”
But that optimism isn’t shared by others who assert that, as a blogger elsewhere put it, “these Type-A business people are the worst in bellowing on their cellphones.” Another comment on Computerworld.com supported the in-flight blocking of Skype and similar programs “until phone users learn to speak in a normal conversational tone instead of shouting.”
On CrunchGear.com, one user said he had been able to connect briefly on Skype — “enough to say hello, meet me and goodbye” before the blocking system sniffed out the connection and shut it down.
Have any of you readers experienced in-flight broadband? (American Airlines began offering Gogo last month.) What did you think: Yay or nay on in-flight voice calls? Tell us in TalkBack. (Flickr image: superlocal)
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Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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