Comments on: Feed the Internet addiction: American Airlines will roll out high-speed inflight wi-fi next year http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/ Living the first class life -- at coach prices Sat, 30 Aug 2008 11:25:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: Mark Ashley http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/#comment-15877 Mark Ashley Thu, 09 Aug 2007 01:26:30 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/#comment-15877 Outstanding questions regarding coverage rollout and funding. I've found no clear answers. It sounds to me like the company would be adding equipment to existing cell towers, but at what rate will the rollout happen? FWIW, from an <a href="http://www.suntimes.com/business/501014,CST-FIN-wifi08.article" rel="nofollow">article<a> in the Chicago Sun-Times, this nugget regarding pricing: <blockquote>American Airlines hasn't yet set passenger rates for airborne Wi-Fi, but she said the goal is about $10 for a five-hour transcontinental flight, possibly with a premium charge "considering you're using the Internet at 40,000 feet." In contrast, she said Connexion would have charged about $30 for similar service.</blockquote> Outstanding questions regarding coverage rollout and funding. I’ve found no clear answers.

It sounds to me like the company would be adding equipment to existing cell towers, but at what rate will the rollout happen?

FWIW, from an article in the Chicago Sun-Times, this nugget regarding pricing:

American Airlines hasn’t yet set passenger rates for airborne Wi-Fi, but she said the goal is about $10 for a five-hour transcontinental flight, possibly with a premium charge “considering you’re using the Internet at 40,000 feet.” In contrast, she said Connexion would have charged about $30 for similar service.

]]> By: Oliver http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/#comment-15864 Oliver Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:51:18 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/#comment-15864 So they will set up cell towers across the US, eh? And how long will it take them to have reasonable coverage? With a satellite system that's "relatively" easy, and it doesn't matter if you're flying over Pennsylvania or the Nevada desert -- you will always have reception. Is AirCell planning to provide equivalent coverage? How much $$$ do they have? So they will set up cell towers across the US, eh? And how long will it take them to have reasonable coverage? With a satellite system that’s “relatively” easy, and it doesn’t matter if you’re flying over Pennsylvania or the Nevada desert — you will always have reception. Is AirCell planning to provide equivalent coverage? How much $$$ do they have?

]]> By: Rick S http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/#comment-15817 Rick S Fri, 03 Aug 2007 21:23:46 +0000 http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/08/01/feed-the-internet-addiction-american-airlines-will-roll-out-high-speed-inflight-wi-fi-next-year/#comment-15817 Picture of the month ... by far ... Wonder how many business deals are done on blackberries with people on the porcelain god at airports? Not that I would have any personal knowledge ... What will do with my IPod and Bose Headphones if they add Internet? Picture of the month … by far …

Wonder how many business deals are done on blackberries with people on the porcelain god at airports?

Not that I would have any personal knowledge …

What will do with my IPod and Bose Headphones if they add Internet?

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