People who travel frequently in part because of cheap traveloptions, such as cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, and cheap vacation packages, will likely be happy to learn that soon they maybe able to text and make phone calls (when flying internationally) using theirsmartphones while flying.
A company named Gogo has introduced a new service whichenables texting and calling while in the air on smartphones. The company hopes its new Text & Talktechnology will become popular on passenger airlines during the first quarterof 2014.
Currently Gogo is a major provider of fee based Wi-Fi anddigital entertainment on planes. Todayits services are available on over 2,000 planes from nine U.S. airlines plusJapan Airlines.
When Gogos new service is formally launched in 2014customers will be able to download the necessary app from Apples App Store orthe Google Play store. The app willallow users to send or receive texts in a similar manner to how people makecalls and texts on their smartphones today.
Users will be able to summon a dialing pad, or tap contactsnames or names inside a recent caller list. To appeal to international travelers, these features will be availablein a variety of languages.
To some the prospect of passengers being able to make andreceive calls while flying is unappealing given how many people could betalking at the same time and how loud they may be speaking. The voice part of Gogos Text & Talkinitiative will not be coming anytime soon to American airspace. Gogos nine U.S. airline partners have expressedno interest in enabling voice calls because of the social stigma associatedwith people making calls in the air.
The same is not true on international flights where Gogosays there is a demand for such calling services.
The appeal of texting in the air appears to besubstantial. Gogos research found that79 percent of fliers want inflight texting.
The Text & Talk application will be an extension of aGSM or CDMA cellular network that will not require the installation of smallcellular stations that planes have previously used to deliver similarservices. Smartphone users will be ableto roam onto Gogos in flight Wi-Fi system in the same manner they roam on aland based cellular network.
Gogo has yet to announce prices for its Text & Talkservice. It appears that individualairline partners may price this service differently. Text & Talk is notexpected to be bundled with Gogos regular inflight Wi-Fi service.
The U.S. government recently relaxed its restrictions onthe use of electronic devices during takeoff and landing. Gogos new service will not be operable untila plane climbs above 10,000 feet.
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