News Report #5

Internet in the Sky: Surf but Don’t Call
By: Joe Sharkey, NY Times, September 13, 2008
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/business/14essay.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin

New technology by Aircell allows you to get broadband Internet service on your
laptop while in flight. Although you can connect to the Internet to browse the web you are not allowed to use the Internet hookup for voice over Internet protocol services. This means you can not use the laptop connection in flight to make a voice phone call, even though the technological capability is there. At the moment American Airlines is the only airline offering this in-flight Internet access, called Gogo, which launched last month. The airline has blocked programs from enabling voice calls from the environment of the confined space of the airplane cabin. Cell phone use on flights used to not be allowed because of flight safety issues, but those are now resolved. Some people want this in-flight cell phone use to be allowed, while others do not. Airplane cabins are such a confined space, and usually you are on them for hours without being about to leave. According to this article, phone conservations will not be allowed in the near future, due to the inconvenience of others.

I think the technology of having Internet service while in flight is a great break through and will catch on to other airlines quickly. Not only will it help pass time but it will help people get more work done, that otherwise could not get done until safely on ground. I feel that business people will benefit the most from this service. Now as they are traveling for business reasons they will be able to get more work done in a shorter amount of time. I know that if I fly American Airlines that I will take my laptop and use the Internet while in flight.