WiFi Access on Airplanes
Delta Air Lines will offer wireless broadband Internet service on domestic flights as early as this fall. Delta is the first air carrier to offer such inflight service.
Delta is partnering with Aircell® to instal the mobile broadband network on the its domestic fleet. With GoGo™, the name of the wifi system, customers will now be able to use computers, smartphones, or PDAs to access the internet or instant texting.
GoGo™ will be available for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours. The first GoGo™ systems will be installed on Delta's 133 MD88 and MD90 aircraft. The rest of the fleet will receive the system during the first half of 2009.
The system works via wireless connections between planes and antennas on the ground. In keeping with federal rules prohibiting in-flight phone calls, voice services will not be supported. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules still prohibit the use of cellular phones using the 800 MHz frequency.
This installation of GoGo™ follows changes made by the FCC that allow in-flight voice and data services, including broadband services using dedicated air-to-ground frequencies that were previously used for seat-back telephone services. The services operate in frequencies that are dedicated to air-to-ground communications and are separate from those used for wireless services on the ground. As a result, they do not possess an interference risk to wireless networks on the ground or aircraft navigation and communication equipment while airborne.
Delta is partnering with Aircell® to instal the mobile broadband network on the its domestic fleet. With GoGo™, the name of the wifi system, customers will now be able to use computers, smartphones, or PDAs to access the internet or instant texting.
GoGo™ will be available for a flat fee of $9.95 on flights of three hours or less, and $12.95 on flights of more than three hours. The first GoGo™ systems will be installed on Delta's 133 MD88 and MD90 aircraft. The rest of the fleet will receive the system during the first half of 2009.
The system works via wireless connections between planes and antennas on the ground. In keeping with federal rules prohibiting in-flight phone calls, voice services will not be supported. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules still prohibit the use of cellular phones using the 800 MHz frequency.
This installation of GoGo™ follows changes made by the FCC that allow in-flight voice and data services, including broadband services using dedicated air-to-ground frequencies that were previously used for seat-back telephone services. The services operate in frequencies that are dedicated to air-to-ground communications and are separate from those used for wireless services on the ground. As a result, they do not possess an interference risk to wireless networks on the ground or aircraft navigation and communication equipment while airborne.
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