| > | | | | The need for Internet access while on board airplanes |
| Gone are the days when you have to endure being | | | | come as modern air travelers acknowledge their |
| off-limits and unreachable as you travel hundreds to | | | | necessities to acquire more than the simple voice |
| thousands of miles via airplane. In the past, nobody | | | | services they usually get to be able to connect to the |
| thought Internet access while on board a plane could | | | | world even while on journey. Web access provide |
| be possible. Now, it is not just a target or an aim. | | | | more complex information-based services like emailing, |
| Internet connection in airplanes is now among the | | | | virtual private networking, and instant messaging to be |
| newest features and add-on services of air carriers. | | | | able to secure reliable access to corporate networks. |
| Major global airlines are now offering Internet access | | | | How was it made possible? The first and initial phases |
| even while planes are flying. Air carriers are entering | | | | of the effort involved inter-twined ground access |
| into partnership with wireless Internet access providers | | | | wireless towers. But because this strategy does not |
| to provide online connection to people who are on | | | | yield satisfactory and good results, plus there are |
| board. The technology is still a new one, but it is one | | | | limitations on long-haul flights, another way of online |
| that is fast gaining popularity. Many passengers have | | | | connection was sought. Now, most Internet access |
| been complaining about not being able to access | | | | providers on flights use different satellite services for |
| Internet while on flights. Now, those complaints could be | | | | online transmission. Through using routers and Wi-Fi |
| all gone. | | | | connection facilities, airplanes are now made online, |
| Many businessmen hate long-haul trips not because of | | | | anyone with a laptop could log online anytime he |
| the tediousness and long hours of travel but because | | | | wants and needs to. |
| they are missing a lot. Some business people prefer to | | | | Is the service costly? Because the feature is still new |
| stay online even while away from the office to be | | | | in the airline industry, additional charges of about an |
| able to monitor goings-on in the workplace and to | | | | average $13 is imposed for anyone who voluntarily |
| retrieve important data and information. Most of them | | | | applies for the service. Most airlines could still not waive |
| also want to stay connected via email and online | | | | the cost and offer the service for free because |
| messaging services. Now, no matter how far and how | | | | Internet access through satellite systems is costing |
| long air travel could get, there is no excuse for not | | | | them much. It is said that if not because of the further |
| being able to stay online. | | | | intensifying competition, airlines would not resort to |
| While during the 1990s, further improvements in | | | | offering Internet access in flights. |
| telephone communications was the focus of customer | | | | However, the usefulness and reliability could not be |
| and industry interests, the new millennium has shifted | | | | underestimated. Internet access provided by planes is |
| the focus to better Internet access. To date, mobile | | | | really among the most popular, sought-after, and |
| Internet access has become really popular after being | | | | well-raved about features and services offered by |
| widely deployed particularly at ground level. From there, | | | | airlines and Internet service providers. Many more |
| telecom and air navigation industries are now focusing | | | | airlines are expected to follow suit and start offering |
| at offering mobile online connectivity even on a moving | | | | in-flight Web access. |
| plane. | | | | |