In Flight Wi-Fi OK But Not In-Flight Cell Service
April 3rd, 2007 | by amarfresh |The FAA says cell phone service is a no go for airlines but strangely are allowing WiFi access. Although voice/VOIP traffic will be disallowed; its hard to say if the reasons were bandwidth related or security related. Nonetheless, American’s are one step closer to being mobile at 30,000 feet.
AirCell paid $31.3 million at an FCC auction last year to take over radio frequency once used for expensive air-phone service and reallocate it to Internet and cellphone service. The Internet service already has the approval of both the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration. Mr. Blumenstein says AirCell, a closely held Colorado company that provides communications for private jets, is building out its network of 80 to 100 ground towers and talking to multiple airlines. No customers have been named yet.
They indicate that the service will be no more than $10/day. They also expect to be able to offer cell service within 2 years (if allowed). I would think that every domestic airline will jump all over this as a surefire way to eek more dollars from their business travelers.
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