* The nightmare of offering in-flight wireless services
Last year, Lufthansa started offering in-flight wireless LAN data services, letting airline customers connect via their Wi-Fi laptops to the Internet.
In December, the FCC and FAA proposed allowing passengers to use standard wireless handsets and other devices via a “picocell,” a small base station on the plane. The FCC is seeking public comment on whether the plan should apply only to devices in the 800-MHz cellular band, or include other types of phones.
Now there’s some news that passengers might actually want these services available to them.
Research firm In-Stat (http://www.instat.com) last week issued a news release saying that 44.2% of people surveyed “were interested in in-flight wireless services, with about half of them willing to pay a premium price.”
Are they nuts?
I would be interested in seeing whether those surveyed knew what in-flight wireless services referred to, because the numbers can’t be that high for people wanting to allow their seat-mate to yap on the phone throughout a four-hour flight.
I would be interested in in-flight WLAN services, but for DATA only. Let me quietly connect my laptop, download e-mail and maybe do some Web surfing. That’s fine, and depending on the price, I would likely take advantage of this service.
But if any airline rolls out the ability for people to make in-flight cell phone calls, I’m bailing. I’ve had too many bad experiences sitting next to people who think that they’re on a private charter and are the only ones on the plane. I once sat next to a guy who was still on his cell phone while the plane was on the runway about to take off, and the flight attendant almost jumped over our seats to take the phone away (the guy then waited 10 minutes, then continued his call on the Airfone that sits behind the middle seat).
Price won’t matter to these people – you could charge people $10 a minute, and someone who thinks they are really important will still want to chat on their phone.
I’m begging the airlines – don’t consider it. I know that airlines are struggling to find revenue, but allowing in-flight cell phone calls isn’t the answer. For the sake of everyone who still have to fly in coach, don’t allow these calls. Separate seating areas isn’t the answer, either as there are too many security concerns (notice how the curtain between first class and coach is gone?). In fact, if all the airlines begin offering in-flight cell phone calls, I will be the first person to sign up to fly on an airline that bans the calls.
Luckily, at least one of the FCC commissioners is listening. In a statement, Michael Copps said he welcomed the idea of exploring the issue, but said he was worried about the fallout for airline passengers. “Many airline passengers don’t relish the idea of sitting next to someone yelling into their cell phones for an entire six-hour flight. I know I don’t!” Copps wrote.
Amen, brother.
