Internet Access in Airplanes?

Gone are the days when you have to endure being off-limits and unreachable as you travel hundreds to thousands of miles via airplane. In the past, nobody thought Internet access while on board a plane could be possible. Now, it is not just a target or an aim. Internet connection in airplanes is now among the newest features and add-on services of air carriers.

Major global airlines are now offering Internet access even while planes are flying. Air carriers are entering into partnership with wireless Internet access providers to provide online connection to people who are on board. The technology is still a new one, but it is one that is fast gaining popularity. Many passengers have been complaining about not being able to access Internet while on flights. Now, those complaints could be all gone.

Many businessmen hate long-haul trips not because of the tediousness and long hours of travel but because they are missing a lot. Some business people prefer to stay online even while away from the office to be able to monitor goings-on in the workplace and to retrieve important data and information. Most of them also want to stay connected via email and online messaging services. Now, no matter how far and how long air travel could get, there is no excuse for not being able to stay online.

While during the 1990s, further improvements in telephone communications was the focus of customer and industry interests, the new millennium has shifted the focus to better Internet access. To date, mobile Internet access has become really popular after being widely deployed particularly at ground level. From there, telecom and air navigation industries are now focusing at offering mobile online connectivity even on a moving plane.

The need for Internet access while on board airplanes come as modern air travelers acknowledge their necessities to acquire more than the simple voice services they usually get to be able to connect to the world even while on journey. Web access provide more complex information-based services like emailing, virtual private networking, and instant messaging to be able to secure reliable access to corporate networks.

How was it made possible? The first and initial phases of the effort involved inter-twined ground access wireless towers. But because this strategy does not yield satisfactory and good results, plus there are limitations on long-haul flights, another way of online connection was sought. Now, most Internet access providers on flights use different satellite services for online transmission. Through using routers and Wi-Fi connection facilities, airplanes are now made online, anyone with a laptop could log online anytime he wants and needs to.

Is the service costly? Because the feature is still new in the airline industry, additional charges of about an average $13 is imposed for anyone who voluntarily applies for the service. Most airlines could still not waive the cost and offer the service for free because Internet access through satellite systems is costing them much. It is said that if not because of the further intensifying competition, airlines would not resort to offering Internet access in flights.

However, the usefulness and reliability could not be underestimated. Internet access provided by planes is really among the most popular, sought-after, and well-raved about features and services offered by airlines and Internet service providers. Many more airlines are expected to follow suit and start offering in-flight Web access.