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Tag Archives: in-flight mobile

Passenger Demand Grows for In-Flight Wifi in the Social Media Explosion

July 5, 2013
Business Aviation News
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in-flight wifiIt looks like the days of turning off our mobile devices on aircraft could one day be behind us as the demand grows for passenger in-flight wifi connectivity.  Many passengers now want to tweet their journey or update Facebook statuses as they fly, posting photos of the clouds, their meals or cities from the air.  Social networking, as we all know, is huge and in-flight wifi is a necessary fuel for that fire.

Recent surveys show that a quarter of British holidaying passengers out of 5,000 believe that free in-flight wifi is not only necessary, but a human right, according to HolidayExtras, although it is also recorded that 84% of these passengers are unwilling to pay the current high rates charged for in-flight wifi.

Now that the US FAA declared the use of the new models of mobile phones and device safe to use in ‘airplane mode,’ the floodgates are open in terms of demand for cheaper, faster in-flight wifi connectivity and this leaves many airlines thinking about the possibilities for revenue versus the inevitable costs involved with upgrades to their existing equipment.

Within the next few years, Inmarsat, the British satellite communications network, will be launching three new satellites, which will give global connectivity possibilities and could spell faster and cheaper in-flight wifi, but, until then, with only four commercial airlines currently offering free in-flight wifi, competition is slim and the cost implications for the passenger still high.

While business passengers enjoy the versatility of in-flight wifi, it looks to be a while before the demand is met for the average holidaymaker.

Air France Lift Restrictions on In-Flight Entertainment (IFE)

July 3, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Good news for Air France travellers, who no longer have to wait for the all-clear and can now use the in-flight entertainment (IFE) as soon as they take their seats.

This relaxation of the IFE restrictions follows BA’s decision last year to let long-haul passengers watch their IFE screens straightaway.  After months of intense negotiations with the Civil Aviation Authority, BA became the first British carrier to do so.

IFE has come a long way over the past few decades; from simple in-flight movie provision to personal touch screen technology and internet connectivity.  IFE connectivity providers work hard to stay ahead of the game when it comes to innovation and continually update their services, products and solutions for airlines to maximize efficiency, cost-effectivity and enhance the experience of the passenger.

IFE providers, such as ARINC, have over eight decades of industry experience and are able to offer seamless connections and a vast range of solutions for both cabin and flight deck.

kevbo1983 / Foter / CC BY-NC-ND

US Airline Passengers May Benefit from New ATG Mobile Broadband Service

May 21, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Airline travellers in US airspace may soon be able to enjoy multi-gig broadband connectivity if the proposed provision of a new ATG service goes ahead.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) suggest, following a petition filed two years ago by Qualcomm Inc, that a new air-to-ground, two-way mobile broadband service should be introduced in the 14-14.5 GHz Ku-band, which would ensure that it would not interfere with, and also be protected from other users operating essential earth-space communications.

Of course, there is a long way to go yet, with hoops to jump through in terms of regulatory and licensing conditions, not to mention the bidding war that will ensue, once these terms are agreed, for the issue of the contracts to run the services.

If the proposals go ahead, the service will be initially limited to US airspace, but airlines from other countries will be able to offer the two-way mobile broadband service to their passengers whilst in US airspace.

The benefits of the new service will be wide for airline passengers, offering faster connectivity and maybe even a reduction in the cost of broadband services.  It seems that business aviation will be the greatest beneficiary of the new band, as this industry is the fastest growing sector, with private and corporate jets requiring speeds of connectivity for utmost efficiency in the air as on the ground in their land-based offices.

Time will tell as the industry awaits the decision makers – watch this space!

Use of In-flight Connectivity Grows with Oman Air

April 20, 2013
Business Aviation News
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Oman Air, the national carrier of Oman, announced an increase of 130% in internet package sales and a 180% jump in connectivity income over the last year.   The most significant rises are with the use of Smartphones on the Muscat to London Heathrow service.

Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Wayne Pearce said, “The increase in passengers’ use of the service in 2012 underlines their growing expectation that similar levels of connectivity should be available in the air as they are on the ground.  I am pleased that the continued increase in uptake since we introduced the service in 2010 shows that Oman Air still leads the field in this area.”

“Digital communications are playing an increasingly important role in all our lives and, in addition to onboard connectivity and services such as online booking and web check-in, Oman Air is rapidly expanding its online customer engagement. Our social media presence is growing daily and we are offering many more online-only special offers than ever before. Having pioneered onboard connectivity, we are committed to remaining in the vanguard of 21st Century communications,” Pearce concluded.