Inflight wifi - free

[Capot]

I am on a Norwegian B737-800 using free
Satellite wifi descending into LGW.

It's fast and free.

Well done to them

[Landroger]

Now you're talking! I wonder what the coverage would be, in terms of mid Atlantic perhaps? That would really soak up the boredom, all we would need would be 12v outlets and adaptors from the seat arm.

Oh..............and the agreement of the passenger in front of you to not recline their seat! :eek: Otherwise there is simply not enough room to put your lappie in front of you. :rolleyes:

[Shack37]

I am on a Norwegian B737-800 using free
Satellite wifi descending into LGW.




I hope you switched off your laptop when reques.....................:ok:

[Capot]

For the record, I was using an HTC smartphone with WiFi enabled and Mobile networks disabled. It connected in seconds to the system identified as "Norwegian Row 44" or some such although I was not in row 44.

The system does not work below 10,000 ft, they say. So no problems with switching off for final approach and landing.

I didn't experiment with trying to do it in Flightsafe mode, but I have a feeling it would have worked.

So, no problem with space, but a netbook is usually OK for that even on a regional loco. If you have an Asus, it has a genuine 8 hour battery life doing normal work. You can top it up in a departure lounge coffee shop (look for cleaning equipment sockets) while not buying over-priced "Duty-Free" tat on which there is no Customs Duty in the first place, or is being sold including Customs Duty and VAT because you're going to the EU.

With the Asus I could have used Skype to call anywhere at low rates, probably with a headset for privacy. That would include video....the possibilities are endless!

I'm not a comms engineer, but I'm guessing that since Norwegian's system works through satellite(s) it would operate over most parts of the globe, and certainly the N Atlantic, and I'm assuming that any other airline's would do the same.

I think FR tried it in a few aircraft, but I heard that the cost was excessive, as you would expect with FR. Of course, Norwegian may well introduce a charge once people have come to expect it and rely on it, but that involves the hassle of collecting payment and then restricting access to those who have paid.

[Nobend]

Gosh how wonderful.

Techology is amazing isn't it, now all the poseurs can call anyone to say "Hi, I'm in the aircraft now at x thousand feet over y" for free!

:yuk::yuk::yuk::yuk:

[PAXboy]

I don't think that's posing. If you keep your voice moderate in volume, then why not?

In the past, I paid the full whack to phone my father to say that I was over the Sahara and thinking of him flying over it in a Beaufighter in 1942 and the difficulties of navigating across sand in those days. He was thrilled beyond measure.

[Ray Dahvectac]

the hassle of collecting payment and then restricting access to those who have paid.

Not really a hassle - hotels do it all the time: if you want to use the system get your credit card out! Unless/until you buy some time on their network, your web browser gets no further than the 'Welcome to our network - now pay up!' page. :(

[Fargoo]

For the record, I was using an HTC smartphone with WiFi enabled and Mobile networks disabled. It connected in seconds to the system identified as "Norwegian Row 44" or some such although I was not in row 44.

I have a HTC smartphone too, I believe disabling Mobile networks actually only disables mobile data and not the voice calls. Might be worth checking before using it again on board.

Flight safe mode does turn off all of the comms from the phone. I always turn on flight safe now before turning off the phone when I get on board as I had a few occasions where the phone turned on in my pocket.

Good on them having free wi-fi though, must be costing the airline a fair bit unless they just have it on trial at the moment. :ok:

[Fargoo]

p.s. Just tried it - you can select Airplane Mode and then separately turn on wi-fi.

[Hotel Tango]

I swear that if a passenger seated next to, or close to me starts a loud in-flight telephone conversation I will ram his/her piece of technology right up where the Sun don't shine! It's bad enough in airport lounges as it is. Call me old fashioned but I like to relax when flying. So watch out Capot ;)

[Fargoo]

They've had phones on aircraft for decades, don't see what the problem is. :ugh:

[Hotel Tango]

They've had phones on aircraft for decades, don't see what the problem is.

True, but their use was so expensive that they were rarely used. If they were, it was for a few minutes at most.