Leader: In-flight connectivity is here stay

2007 could be the year, trust us

silicon.com has been writing stories about mobile connectivity on planes for some years - as far back as 2004, to be exact - and in-flight wireless internet access even longer than that. But for all the talk, the only people sending messages from planes these days are the pilots.

Despite endless discussions around in-flight connectivity, it's still not off the ground, so to speak. The main hurdle to adoption for mile-high mobile phone service is the lack of regulatory approval. For wi-fi access, it's more the lack of a compelling offering.

Take, for example, the failure of Connexion, the broadband-in-the-sky venture from Boeing, and the subsequent failure of the airlines to find another supplier.

All the doubters might be starting to feel justified. But hold on - there are green shoots to be seen.

Lately mobiles are having more success than wi-fi in the sky. In the last few months a number of airlines have committed to offering mobile service, Emirates being the most recent. Admittedly they're still hobbled by that pesky regulatory approval question but the airlines have the scent of blood in their nostrils so they're ploughing ahead with their plans regardless of whether they have the necessary permissions just yet.

One of the problems with Connexion uptake was price - around $20 or $30 per flight. So it's interesting to note Emirates' approach here - offering in-flight calls at prices "comparable" to roaming rates. EC Information Commissioner Vivianne Reding's long overdue crusade against high roaming prices should have a knock-on effect with the airlines, making mile-high mobile a proposition even hard-up holidaymakers may consider embracing.

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Emirates also seems to be making moves to tackle the more annoying elements of mobiles on planes, one of the major objections even among potential users. The flight crew can switch off the talk functionality on night flights and will tell passengers to keep their mobiles on silent.

So what's not to love? Not a lot. The airlines are figuring out how to make the service attractive and both Air France and Emirates expect their first mobile-equipped planes to take off in January.

The momentum is starting to build, and this publication now believes that Connexion's prediction of in-flight connectivity becoming as common as airline meals isn't so far-fetched after all.