One In Three U.S. Planes Have In-Flight Wi-Fi Service
The whole thought of having broadband speeds while traveling at 35,000 feet seems pretty insane. And even now, after you've used an in-flight Wi-Fi service such as Row44 or Gogo one or twice, it's still amazing to get connected while flying. We won't pretend to understand how it all works, but it's clear that the adoption rate is rising and the expansion rate is soaring along with it.
Just a few years after in-flight Wi-Fi became a real, tangible thing, there are already 33% of all domestic plans outfitted with the technology. That's right. One in three planes that criss-cross the U.S. has in-flight Wi-Fi available to patrons. Of course, most of those planes serve a select few routes, so it will still take time for the final 2/3rds to join in. In fact, we suspect that it will take far, far longer to reach 100% than it did to hit 33%. The primary reason is that there's not nearly as much demand for in-flight Wi-Fi in non-business hubs, and there's not nearly as much demand on short-haul flights where you'd have to put your laptop away for landing just about as soon as you were cleared to take it out.
Also, in-flight Wi-Fi is still rather expensive, and the price plans aren't very user-friendly. If there were a per-hour service, maybe more people would take advantage. And users also need AC outlets in every seat (or else, they better pack a huge battery); otherwise their machine will die before they can fully use their Internet time. Still, it's impressive to see 1/3 of all U.S. planes already equipped, and we hope that more and more catch up in time. But we hope a few other things happen alongside of it, including better pricing schemes and in-flight power for all.
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Via: Computer World | News Archive
| Tags:
WiFi,
Broadband,
Internet,
Airplane,
In-flight,
inflight wi-fi,
aircraft
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Why are all those people putting their computer in the air? And what's with the purple light across the ceilings? lol Also... gah! That's a lot of Macs....yuck |
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What ever happened to the day when you looked out the window or read a book? do you really need that much connection? also better pricing? try and find a cheaper way to travel other that by air. it cant be done... well not on todays fast paced schedule's, if you don't mind it taking 2+ days then it cant be done... |
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if you think flying is to slow we might be able to teleport our selves in the future. |
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LOL whats wrong with purple lights, acarzt? :D Der, those days are gone, i really can't stay on a plane doing nothing, i don't read books cause they just bore be... so internet is the only thing that keeps me entertained on a plane :D |
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Nothing... I was just unaware that this was the Rave Plane lol Also... in the rare occasions that I fly... I watch movies on my laptop... well.. a movie... ze bettery life is no so good. |
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I feel the same way. Though mine are related to staying focused on the book rather then being bored. |
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When I'm on a plane I have a white-knuckle grip on both armrests. Even if I could unclamp my hands, there is no time for web or email, because I keep my eyes glued to the wing to look for loose bolts... |
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Wow you guys have some issues lol I stare at the wing and watch it bounce and flex up and down and it does not bother me lol And I'm not to worried about people looking over my shoulder, I don't look at inappropriate things while in public lol Or very personal things. |
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That's why I hate sitting close to the wing. I'm always thinking "hey isn't that bolt a little rusty? OH GOD WHAT IF IT BREAKS?!?!" I would feel awkward using my laptop on a plane. Even if I'm not looking at anything bad, I'd feel awkward knowing people beside me and behind me might be looking at my screen even if they're not. Typing "lol" under a friend's picture on facebook can be a harrowing experience knowing that 4 other people know I'm not really "loling". I guess there are those screen attachments to decrease the viewing angle, but the people behind can still see the screen. I don't know, maybe I'm just paranoid. |
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sackyhack, they have things that allow your screen to become blurred from specific angles, so your paranoia issues are probably at rest. |
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