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In-flight Internet access on its way?

By Derek Sooman

On May 10, 2006, 2:14 PM

Avid road warriors and other telecommuters will be pleased to hear that moves are afoot to auction off frequencies for in-flight Internet service. Verizon Airfone and several other companies are due to enter bids for the two licenses available. The companies involved have developed a range of differing technologies that effectively create wireless networks on planes. The winning bidders would still have to convince American carriers to install their equipment, and we are no closer to getting mobile phone access on planes as yet.

"Airlines will have to be careful how they roll it out," said Jonathan Schildkraut, a telecommunications analyst at Jefferies & Co. While "spending $10 for a broadband connection is a no-brainer" for business travelers, he said, "I don't trust people to observe the laws of propriety" if they are allowed to make a phone call on a plane, even on a headset connected to a laptop.

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  1. May 10, 2006 2:21 PM
    Mictlantecuhtli said:
    For those who can't be one minute without Internet access.
    Reply
  2. May 10, 2006 7:01 PM
    Julio said:
    Like me... I would easily pay an extra $40 fee for in-flight broadband net access if the flight lasts longer than 3 hours.
    Reply
  3. May 11, 2006 1:54 PM
    barfarf said:
    Totally. THen i can make voip phone calls and let everyone how cool it is. Maybe they will start allowing cell phones too. ha.Any flight over 5 hours it would be worth it. At least for the novelty factor.
    Reply

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