Alaska Airlines Working to Launch Inflight Wireless Internet
#1
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Alaska Airlines Working to Launch Inflight Wireless Internet
I've never seen this brought up on this board yet, but I just got an E-Mail about Alaska setting up wireless internet on they're planes. Please see the attached link: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix....486&highlight=
I haven't decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing... a plane is one of the few places I DONT have to deal with calls and E-Mails... if there was internet access available, I think I'll be enticed to work. I'm sure most people will be happy about this, and actually I think it will be nice too... What are everyone else's thoughts?
I haven't decided if this is a good thing or a bad thing... a plane is one of the few places I DONT have to deal with calls and E-Mails... if there was internet access available, I think I'll be enticed to work. I'm sure most people will be happy about this, and actually I think it will be nice too... What are everyone else's thoughts?
#2
Join Date: Dec 2004
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They'd better block Skype and all other VOIP services or they'll have a lot of very angry fliers on their hands -- fliers who have to sit next to those using Skype and VOIP.
And it looks like they may be doing so, as well as limiting streaming media to what can be cached on an onboard server: "high-speed access to the Internet, e-mail, virtual private networks and stored inflight entertainment content."
And it looks like they may be doing so, as well as limiting streaming media to what can be cached on an onboard server: "high-speed access to the Internet, e-mail, virtual private networks and stored inflight entertainment content."
#3
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That would be funny. The FA's would be wondering why so many people were PO'd when internet service was offerd for, say $15 a flight and had to pay for it because AS blocked Skype and VOIP.
#4
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#5
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Why should they block access to Skype and VOIP? Internet is internet, bytes are bytes. Why should it make a difference if my seatmate is chattering to a neighbor or chattering on Skype?
#6
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Mike
#7
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An appropriate counter might be to break out in song if they're on the phone (and clueless about the effect on others). There's a reason headphones are required for personal video and music players -- to avoid inflicting your entertainment choices on others who have no other place to go. The same should apply to conversations, unless you're a willing participant.
(Now, any phone conversations on board are self-limiting, since they can only occur before the door closes and after landing.)
There's also the issue of bandwidth. Bits are indeed bits, but VOIP and streaming media take a significant amount of bandwidth, so it wouldn't surprise me if AS would block them inflight.
Email, IM and Web browsing are usually silent activities, or at least no louder than turning pages in a books.
Last edited by Seattlenerd; Sep 18, 2007 at 12:35 pm Reason: added bold
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 543
VOIP won't be an issue. The Row 44 system uses geosynchronous satellites, which means latency too high for voice calls.
I believe it's using the Hughes constellation (formerly Direcway, formerly DirecPC.)
Don't expect particularly zippy performance.
I believe it's using the Hughes constellation (formerly Direcway, formerly DirecPC.)
Don't expect particularly zippy performance.
#9
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Because if you are the neighbor in the adjacent seat, you have a choice whether to converse with your row-mate -- it's a type of social agreement to chat. If they are on Skype and you are seated directly next to them, you have no escape from the chattering moron the entire flight. It's not like you're in a public place where you can move away.
#10
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Also, people in the same row (assuming 3-3 configuration) tend to turn to talk to the person they're conversing with, and only use a volume that's appropriate. The same can't be said of phone use.
There are always exceptions, of course.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Good Point! The latency with satellite is terrible 500 to 1200ms ping times. FWIW not only would VoiP be nearly useless, the latency would probably cause a lot of havoc with VPN's for the business types as well. Casual albeit slow surfing and some email connectivity is about all its good for.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Email/Internet surfing is great - but PLEASE Alaska, no VOIP/Skype!
#13
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#14
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It will be neat to flyertalk from the air though!!! I can't wait... I hope it does go through, (and not cost too much...)
Maybe MVPG's can get a free pass code as an additional perk? I know- wishful thinking...
Maybe MVPG's can get a free pass code as an additional perk? I know- wishful thinking...
#15
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