Emirates launches in-flight calling

[petkow]

Originally Posted by Stu

Many of the sat phone systems are still around and integrated into the inflight video systems. On one side the device is a remote control. On the other side, it is phone.

Yes... loads of airlines still have these... but even after flying a lot, I still haven't ever seen anyone make a call on one!

As I briefly mentioned earlier I don't think price was the only reason why phones on planes turned out to be unpopular. I think as they were mainly installed on long-haul flights, people just resigned to the fact that they would be "off-air" for a certain period.

On the flip side on short haul flights, studies show that mobile-phone useage is very high during that dead period between passing security control and boarding the aircraft where people accept that they have to hang around for a period which is often almost as long as the flight itself. Now that period has even been extended onto the aircraft whilst it is still parked and even whilst it is taxi-ing with some airlines. Many then are quite relieved to have an hour or so of silence.

I really wonder if in-flight GSM calling is going to be the big hit that some are predicting, especially as it is likely to incurr high costs and possibly even the wrath of fellow passengers!

[DRNewcomb]

Originally Posted by petkow

I really wonder if in-flight GSM calling is going to be the big hit that some are predicting, especially as it is likely to incurr high costs and possibly even the wrath of fellow passengers!

For me it would be like high priced roaming on cruise ships. I'd forward all my calls to voicemail and leave a message asking callers to either send me a SMS or just wait until I land. It's a very high priced call but incoming SMS would still be a cheap way to stay in touch.

[DRNewcomb]

Originally Posted by petkow

Yes... loads of airlines still have these... but even after flying a lot, I still haven't ever seen anyone make a call on one!

Neither have I but I'm always in the back of the plane. I'd suspect that usage would be higher in the high priced seats.

Remember when you could register to recieve incoming satellite calls?