Canada clears Wi-Fi in the skies with Gogo plan approval

[jetsetfly]

A U.S. service provider will soon start building a Canadian wireless network allowing airline passengers to use the Internet. But it won't be ready for a year
Canadians used to using their mobile devices for Internet service flying over other countries will get the chance to do it over their home and native land as well.

However, they’ll have to wait about a year to do it.

Gogo, which provides air-to- ground wireless service in the U.S. for a number of airlines including Air Canada, said Tuesday it will start building a network here in the fourth quarter so airlines can turn their planes into hotspots at 30,000 feet or so.

After buying access, customers who have Wi-Fi devices will be able to connect to the Internet, make calls or receive streamed content.
The announcement came after Gogo was issued a subordinate licence to use wireless spectrum in the 3 MHz band the company got from SkySurf Canada Communications Inc.

Headquartered in Broomfield, Col., Gogo said in a news release it expects to begin offering service to airlines and business aircraft flying over Canada by the end of next year.

Typically passengers buy connectivity: Usually Gogo charges US$14.95 for a 24-hour pass, which is sometimes discounted. (Right now its US$12.70.) A unlimited monthly pass costs $39.95, although some airlines offer a discount rate of US$34.95.
Gogo’s Web site says devices with virtual private networks can be used on the service, although it cautions that VPNs aren’t inherently secure.

The company said it couldn’t offer more details about its Canadian plans because it is about to go public and is in a mandated quiet period.

However, in a news release it said the Canadian network will operate in the same frequency as Gogo’s existing wireless network in the U.S., so it will be able to offer seamless service on cross-border flights.

The statement said the network will focus initially on Canadian routes served by Gogo’s existing U.S. and Canadian commercial airlines. That would include Air Canada, Delta Airlines, American Airlines, SU Airways and United Airlines.

An Air Canada spokesman wouldn’t commit to the airline offering service here, saying that “we continue to evaluate the technology.”

[Meatservo]

Well that's good news, I guess. Let's hope there are pilots who can exercise enough self-restraint to avoid using the internet during critical phases of flight. Or taxiing.

[Rudy]

Do these systems work over the middle of oceans?

[Flybabe]

Just think - you get to sit beside someone jabbering on the phone for 3 hours.

Internet, fine. But phone calls? Not sure that's really necessary.

Kind of mixed feelings on this one.

[MrWings]

Just think - you get to sit beside someone jabbering on the phone for 3 hours.

That's what I fear. You get people that talk on their phones now in a store or restaurant like they are the only person in there. Why do they have to yell?

[FlyGy]

Hopefully the charge for use is about $10 per minute.

[Doc]

Just think - you get to sit beside someone jabbering on the phone for 3 hours.

Internet, fine. But phone calls? Not sure that's really necessary.

Kind of mixed feelings on this one.

You so obviously just don't get the thrill of surfing porn at FL380, do you? Some people will never get it!

[Beefitarian]

Requesting a blanket doc?

I promise not to talk on the plane. The reason I yell is my voice blends and people can't hear me on their LGs and samsungs unless I speak like that.

[wirez]

VOIP applications such as Skype are disabled on the GoGo service. FaceTime used to work, but is now disabled as well. I experimented with my gf by having her call me on FaceTime at 36,000ft. I have to say, I was quite impressed by the bandwidth.

[ogopogo]

Do these systems work over the middle of oceans?

Doubt it. Unless the aircraft is equipped with satcom (more trans-ocean are now) but very expensive to connect.

[fingersmac]

Do these systems work over the middle of oceans?

Doubt it. Unless the aircraft is equipped with satcom (more trans-ocean are now) but very expensive to connect.

Lufthansa had wireless internet onboard long haul aircraft as early as 2003. The service was suspended in 2006 when Connexion by Boeing was closed. Service was relaunched in 2009 with Panasonic on 69 aircraft that had previously had the equipment installed. The plan is to have the entire long haul fleet internet capable. I think their 747-800s are coming with it ready to go.

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... et-350335/

[Flybabe]

Just think - you get to sit beside someone jabbering on the phone for 3 hours.

Internet, fine. But phone calls? Not sure that's really necessary.

Kind of mixed feelings on this one.

You so obviously just don't get the thrill of surfing porn at FL380, do you? Some people will never get it!

LMAO! Are you including 1-900 calls in that comment?

[CID]

Do these systems work over the middle of oceans?

Generally speaking, absolutely not. The GoGo system relies on ground stations that are relatively close together. So unless you have a string of islands in the middle of the ocean....no.

[Go Guns]

Gogo, the big name in inflight wifi in the States, is currently ground based only, but they're working on it.

Gogo spreads its in-flight WiFi wings further with SES satellite deal

[avyonx]

Just think - you get to sit beside someone jabbering on the phone for 3 hours.

They've had phones in the seatback for years now. Why would this be any different? I've made plenty of calls from the Credit Card Phones.

Put your earplugs in and enjoy the inflight movie.

[Genetk44]

Im guessing people didnt jabber for hours on the seatback phones because the costs were obscene...probably way more expensive than a cell-plan. Besides why should I be forced to wear earplugs,which I never wear, to block out the verbal noise pollution from some jackass beside me who can't survive a few hours without jabbering away about inconsequential nonsense to his/her friend/wife/husb and/or buddy.

Just think - you get to sit beside someone jabbering on the phone for 3 hours.

They've had phones in the seatback for years now. Why would this be any different? I've made plenty of calls from the Credit Card Phones.

Put your earplugs in and enjoy the inflight movie.

[Flybabe]

Yup, sorry. I am not interested in being a captive audience to someone else's phone conversation. I'm with Genetk44 on that one.

We already have to deal with screaming/squalling children (and adults acting like children), seatback kickers and a myriad of other joys of being in the cattle compartment.

Internet, fine. Phones?? I suppose if airtime remains extremely high priced, maybe only necessary calls will be made.

[JungianJugular]

"Everything is amazing right now, and nobody is happy."

http://youtu.be/8r1CZTLk-Gk?t=20s

[sstaurus]

I was under the impression cellphones were not allowed for security reasons... the time free from jabbering idiots was just a bonus.

[CID]

Cell phone service isn't going to be allowed in US airspace anytime soon. Not because of anything the FAA says, It's the FCC that prohibits the use of cell phones while airborne.

In other countries, including Canada, it is quite legal to use a cell phone in an airplane equipped with a pico-cell or nano-cell system but it's not really in wide spread use.

As far as WiFi goes, that's been available for quite awhile but mostly on business aircraft. Same for internet connectivity. Neither is cheap.