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In-flight Broadband Internet Access Trial's Success

Posted by Hemos on from the making-the-connection dept.

flash_cube writes "Boeing Co.'s 'Connexion' business unit finally demoed its in-flight WiFi (802.11b) service this weekend ... even as (noted in this previous /. article) struggling U.S. carriers pull out of the joint venture. Still Boeing promises availability on other airlines in 'early 2003.'"

4 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. Lufthansa already has it by Psychic+Burrito · · Score: 5, Insightful
    If you don't care about WiFi and can live with a cable-connection in the plane, Lufthansa will provide you with internet access for transatlantic flights right now.

    The question remains: Why are cellphones forbidden while WiFi is obviously allowed in planes? Don't we all remember the englishman that got jailed for using his cell?

  2. Re:... right now they're removing phone service by ViGe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now is certainly not the time to put WiFi in planes.

    How come? How can they know that the stuff does not make them any money if they don't try it?

    --
    It has to work - rfc1925
  3. Too bad there's still so much lag. by Max+Romantschuk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    From Reuters:

    Connexion executives said data transmission speeds for the demo should be about five megabits per second coming into the plane and 128 thousand bits per second when sending data off the plane. The speed, they said, was similar to digital subscriber line service people have at home, but some users complained it seemed slower.

    My guess is that it's not slower, but has more lag (through a satelite link... bound to be laggy). If that is the case it's fine for browsing, but no good for games...

    Not that it matters, but how cool would it be to play Quake 10 Km up in the air? ;)

    --
    .: Max Romantschuk :: http://max.romantschuk.fi/
  4. Doesn't solve the basic problem... by stroudie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    IM..(ever-so)..HO the airlines would be better served by extending the availability of in-seat power sockets.

    It would be nice to be able to work/surf/watch-DVDs on a long-haul flight without having to carry your body-weight in spare batteries. ...and now that I've got that off my chest, I feel better now :)