Emailing from a plane could soon be reality
Emailing from a plane could soon be reality
Dec 17, 2004: Business workers could soon be free from breaking communication when they fly from one country to another with the new possibility of wireless technology being fitted into planes.
Not only could these passengers have the possibility of sending emails during flights, but they might also be able to log onto the Internet too and use their mobile phones too.
It could well take at least a couple of years for this vision to become a reality, but the idea has received the backing of the Federal Communications Commission, which has approved technology that would make it cheaper for airlines to provide Internet connections.
Airlines have not bought this service before because of the cost, which is estimated at about US$500,000 for each jet to be equipped with the technology.
However, the FCC has agreed that airlines should be allowed to offer high-speed Internet access through the frequencies provided by seatback phones, which will cost US$100,000 for the equipment on each plane.
This could be implemented into planes by 2006, and could cost about US$10 for a three-hour flight.
However, there is more concern offer the use of mobile phones on planes, because of fears that cell phones could interfere with the plane's navigation and electrical systems.
The Federal Aviation Administration has commissioned a company to study the issue and deliver result in 2006.
These steps show that there is a strong will to introduce wireless communication at a cheaper level into the aviation industry, which means that important business decisions will be made high up in the sky.
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