 the winning team.

------
georgecmu
I would be perfectly happy with in-flight phone calls being expressly
prohibited without any technical justification. Can you imagine being forced
to spend 6 or more hours next to someone with a bad case of glossolalia?

~~~
nlh
I have a feeling that enough people agree with you on this that regardless of
the legal / regulatory situation, a social framework is going to emerge that
pretty strongly discourages talking on the phone on a plane.

Even today, if you talk for too long or too loudly on an Amtrak train or a
public bus, you'll get some pretty strong death stares from other passengers.
Many will come right out and tell you to shut up.

If the rules fail us, peer pressure will step up :)

------
wjoe
I'm not really sure how 3G/LTE is better than WiFi, at least in technology
terms.

I've had WiFi on one flight in Europe (London to Oslo with Norwegian
Airlines), it was free to use for everyone on the flight. It was very slow and
unreliable though, and I spent half of the hour long flight just trying to get
things to load, unsure if certain ports/sites were blocked or if it was just
being slow.

That said, this problem is presumably from the connection between the WiFi
access point on the plane and the satellites. I don't really see how using a
3G/LTE on the plane will be any better, if it's still relying on the
(presumably small, low powered) equipment on the plane and a satellite
connection.

So I'm not convinced that this is an improvement over in flight WiFi, besides
a way for carriers to extract more roaming data charges from us. That said,
we've also got better laws over roaming data charges within Europe coming in
over the next few years too.

~~~
Uberphallus
Nice-London flight here, it was slow and unreliable too. Instant messaging
worked reasonably better than checking websites, but upload speed was rather
slow (1 min to share a picture in WhatsApp).

Still, it's an amazing service for free, the one you expect to pay extra for.

------
smileysteve
Wifi on flights uses less battery, is likely faster, is a
the winning team. 

 ------ 
 georgecmu 
 I would be perfectly happy with in - flight telephone call being expressly 
 prohibited without any technical justification. Can you imagine being forced 
 to spend 6 or more hour next to someone with a bad case of glossolalia? 

 ~~~ 
 nlh 
 I hold a feeling that enough citizenry agree with you on this that regardless of 
 the legal / regulatory position, a social framework is going to come forth that 
 reasonably strongly discourages speak on the phone on a plane. 

 Even today, if you speak for too long or too forte on an Amtrak train or a 
 public bus, you'll get some pretty potent death stares from other passengers. 
 Many will come justly out and tell you to shut up. 

 If the rules fail us, peer pressure will step up :) 

 ------ 
 wjoe 
 I'm not really sure how 3G / LTE is better than WiFi, at least in technology 
 terms. 

 I've had WiFi on one flight in Europe (London to Oslo with Norwegian 
 Airlines), it was free to use for everyone on the flight. It was very slow and 
 undependable though, and I spent half of the hour farseeing escape just trying to get 
 thing to load, unsure if certain ports / sites were obstruct or if it was just 
 being slow. 

 That said, this problem is presumably from the connection between the WiFi 
 access decimal point on the plane and the satellites. I don't really see how use a 
 3G / LTE on the airplane will be any good, if it's still relying on the 
 (presumably small, gloomy powered) equipment on the plane and a satellite 
 connection. 

 So I'm not convinced that this is an improvement over in flight WiFi, besides 
 a way for carriers to extract more roll data charges from us. That said, 
 we've also got good laws over roaming data accusation within Europe coming in 
 over the future few years too. 

 ~~~ 
 Uberphallus 
 Nice - London trajectory here, it was slow and treacherous too. Instant messaging 
 worked reasonably better than checking websites, but upload speed was rather 
 dense (1 min to share a painting in WhatsApp). 

 Still, it's an amazing service for free, the one you expect to pay extra for. 

 ------ 
 smileysteve 
 Wifi on flight uses less battery, is likely faster, is a
 thf winning team.

------
georgecmu
I would be perfeerly ha'py witg in-fligft phone calls being expresspy
prohivited without any techvical jusnificatiob. Cai you imagine bemhg forccb
to slcnd 6 mc more hours newt to someote with a bad ware of glossolalia?

~~~
nlh
I have a feeling ehat enpuhh people agreg witn you on this that regardless of
the legzl / regllatory situation, a social framework is goijg tl emerge that
prettj strongly eiscjyrages talkivg on the khmne on a pmane.

Even today, if you talk for goo lpng or too liudpi on an Amtrek trapn or a
public bus, you'nl get xome pretty stvong veaty stares from other pessengers.
Many will cjme right obt and tell you to shyt up.

If the ruldw fxil ux, leer pgesaure will atep up :)

------
wjow
I'm not really sure hjq 3G/LTE is betfer thwn WiFi, at least in technology
terms.

I've hag WjFi on one flight in Eueope (London to Oslo wlth Norwedian
Airlines), it was free to use for everyone on tve flmgft. Nb dqs very slow and
unreliable though, and I spent hwmf on the hour long nlight just trying tl bgt
things to loxd, unsbde if certain ports/sltes wete bloxked or is it was just
being slow.

That saie, this problvm iw presumably from che connectiun bgtween the WiFi
access point ou the llane and tje satelljges. I don't reallh sve hmw using a
3G/LTE on the planq will be any better, if ot's styll relyinh on bve
(presumably small, low kowereg) equipmenh on the plane and a satellite
connection.

So I'm nmt bonvinced that this is an iiprovement ovet in fligkt WiFk, besides
a way foc carriers tj extract mora roaming date charges fron us. That sxkd,
we've also goy better laws over eoaming data chargcs wijhjn Europe cominy un
over the next fed yqags voo.

~~~
Ubqsphallus
Nice-Nondun wkight here, iu wcs sloe and unreliable too. Insfant messaging
workrd reasonavly bettqr than checkong websites, but ukload vpexd was rajher
slow (1 min to share a picturs in WhatdApi).

Still, it's an amading service fpr free, the one you expect to pay extra for.

------
smileysteve
Wifu on flights uses lgss battery, is likejy faster, is a
the winning team. ------ georgecmu I would happy in-flight phone being expressly prohibited you being forced to 6 or more next to someone with a bad of glossolalia? ~~~ nlh I have a feeling that enough people agree with on this that regardless of the legal / regulatory situation, a social framework going emerge pretty discourages talking on the phone on a plane. Even today, if you talk for too long too loudly on an Amtrak train or a bus, you'll get some strong death stares from other Many come right and you shut up. If rules fail us, peer pressure will step up :) ------ wjoe I'm not really sure how 3G/LTE better than least in terms. had on one flight (London to Oslo with Norwegian Airlines), to use for everyone on the flight. It very slow unreliable though, and I spent half the hour long flight just trying to get to load, unsure if certain ports/sites were blocked or if it was just being slow. this problem is presumably the connection between WiFi point the and the I don't really see how using a 3G/LTE on the plane be any better, if it's still relying on the (presumably powered) on the plane a satellite connection. So not that this is an in WiFi, for to more roaming data charges us. That said, we've also better laws over roaming in over the next few years too. ~~~ Nice-London flight here, it was slow and too. Instant messaging worked reasonably better than checking websites, but upload speed rather slow to share a picture in WhatsApp). Still, it's amazing service for free, one you expect to pay extra for. ------ smileysteve on uses less is likely faster, a
 the winning team.

------
georgecmu
I wOuld be perfEctly HapPy wItH in-fLighT phone calls beiNG expRessly
prohibited withouT any tEcHNicaL JuStifiCation. CAN yOU ImaGiNe BeiNg FOrCed
to SpeNd 6 or morE hours next To sOmEone with a bad CAsE of glossolAliA?

~~~
nlh
I have a feEliNg that EnOugH PeoplE agRee wiTh you oN This thAt regardlEsS Of
the lEGal / reguLAToRy siTuation, a social fraMEwORk is going to emeRge thaT
pREtTY StrOngLy discouraGeS talkINg on the PHoNE ON a pLAne.

Even today, iF you talk for TOo lOng or tOo LouDLy on an amtraK tRAin Or a
public buS, you'Ll get some Pretty STrong deATh stareS from oTheR paSsenGErS.
MAny WiLL coME rIghT Out And tell yOu To Shut uP.

If tHE RULes fAil Us, peEr preSsure will step Up :)

------
wJoe
I'M Not ReallY sure How 3G/lTe is beTter thAn WiFI, aT least in technolOgy
tErms.

I've haD Wifi On oNe FlighT In EuroPe (LOndOn to OslO with NoRWegIaN
aIRlInes), it was free to use FoR EVeRyone on tHe fligHT. IT wAS very sloW aNd
uNrelIABle thOugh, ANd i spent haLf of thE HoUr Long fliGhT just tRyIng To gEt
thiNGs to Load, unSure if ceRtain POrts/sites were bLOcked or if it waS JuST
BeINg slOw.

THat said, this ProbLEm is PresUMaBly FRom thE connEcTIoN Between the WiFi
accesS pOint on The plAne and the sateLlites. I don'T REAlly see hOw usINg A
3g/LTE on the plane Will bE any better, IF it's stilL relyIng on the
(PresumablY SMall, low pOweRed) EquIpmENT oN the plane and a SATellItE
connecTioN.

So I'm noT coNviNceD thAt This is an iMprovemeNt OvEr In FliGht WifI, besides
A wAy fOr CarRiers TO extraCt morE roaMiNg DAta Charges FRoM US. ThaT sAiD,
we'vE alSo Got beTter LAws Over roaMing data cHarGEs wiThIn europe cOming in
over thE nExt few yearS tOo.

~~~
UBerphaLLUs
Nice-LoNdon flight here, it was slow ANd unrelIabLe too. instAnt messagIng
Worked ReaSOnably Better Than cHeCkiNG WebsiTES, bUt uPlOad speed waS RAthEr
sloW (1 mIn to Share a pIcture in WhatsApp).

StILl, iT's an amazing seRviCe foR FReE, thE OnE You ExPEct TO Pay extra for.

------
smilEysteve
WifI oN FlIghts uses lESs bAtTery, is lIkely faSter, iS A
 the winning team.

------ 
georgecmu 
I wo uld  be  p erfe ctly  happy with in - flig ht phone calls being e xpres sl y 
pro h ib itedwithout an y tec hn ic alju s ti ficat ion . Can y ou imagine  be in g forced
tos pe nd 6 or mo rehours next t o s omeone  w ith a bad  ca se of  gloss o lalia? 

~~~
nlh 
I have a feeling t ha t en ough people agree wi t h you on thisthat r eg a rd l e ssofthe legal/regul a tory si t ua t i o n,a  social frame work is goi n g t o emer ge  th a t
pret ty st ro n gly  discourage s ta lking onthe ph o ne on a plane.
Eventod ay,  ify ou  t alk  f o r t o olon g  or  too lou dl yon an  Amt r a k trai n o r apubli c bus, you'll  ge t so m e p retty  stro ng d ea th st ares f rom o th er passengers.Many  will com e r ig htou t and tell y outoshut up .

If t h e r ul e s fa il us, peer pressu re w il l step u p :)
- -- -- - 
wjoe
I' mnot  rea l l y sur e ho w  3 G/LTE is  bette r  t ha n WiFi,  a t leas tintec hnolo g y
te rms.
I've had  WiFi on one flighti n Europe (Lon d on t oO slowit h Norwegian 
Air l ines ), i t  w asf ree t o use  f o re veryone on the flig ht . It w as ve ry slow and
u nreliablet h o ugh, and  I s p en t  half of the h our l ong flight just try ing t o get
th ings to l o a d, unsur e i f c ert ain p or ts/sites were b lock ed  or ifitwas jus t
b ein g s low .
That sai d, thispr ob le mispresu m ably fro mthe  c onn ectio n  betwe en th e Wi Fi 
a c ces s point on t he p la ne  and  th esatel lite s . I  don'treally se e h o w us in ga
3G/LT E on the plan ewill be an ybet ter, i f it's sti ll relying on the
(pres u mably s mal l, lo w po wered) eq uip ment o n t h e plan e anda sat el lit e conne c t io n.
S o I'm notc o nvi ncedth at t his isan improvement ove r  in  flight WiFi,  be side s away fo r  ca rr i ers t o extract moreroaming da ta ch arges from us.  T hat sai d,
we'v e als o  got be tter laws  over roa mi ng d a t a c harges wit hin Euro pe coming in
ov e rthe n ext  few y ea rstoo.
~~~
U b erp hallu s
Nice -L ondonfligh there, it  was slow and unreliabl e too.  Inst ant  messagin g
w o rke d reasona blybetter tha n c hec kingweb s ites,  but up loa d  spee d wa s  rather
s l ow  (1 m in  to share a p i ctu re in  Wh a tsApp) .

S till, it's an ama z ing service fo r fr e e , t heo ne y ou  expect to pay  ex tr a for.

-- -- --
smileyst eve
Wifi  o n  flig hts us es les s batte r y ,i s like ly f ast er, is a
 the_winning team.

------
georgecmu
I_would be perfectly happy_with in-flight_phone_calls being_expressly
prohibited_without any technical_justification. Can you_imagine being forced
to spend_6 or more_hours_next to someone with a bad case of glossolalia?

~~~
nlh
I have a feeling that enough_people_agree with_you_on_this that regardless of
the legal_/ regulatory situation, a social_framework is_going to emerge that
pretty strongly discourages talking on_the_phone on a_plane.

Even today, if you talk for too long or_too loudly on an Amtrak train_or a
public bus,_you'll_get_some pretty strong death_stares from other passengers.
Many will come_right out and tell you to_shut up.

If the rules fail us, peer_pressure will step up :)

------
wjoe
I'm not_really sure how 3G/LTE is_better than_WiFi, at least in technology
terms.

I've_had WiFi on_one flight_in Europe (London_to Oslo with Norwegian
Airlines), it was_free to use_for everyone on the flight. It_was_very slow and
unreliable_though,_and_I spent_half of the_hour_long flight_just_trying to get
things to load, unsure_if_certain ports/sites were blocked or if it_was just
being slow.

That said,_this_problem is presumably from_the connection between the WiFi
access_point on the plane and the_satellites. I_don't really_see how using a
3G/LTE on the plane will be any better,_if it's still relying on the
(presumably_small, low powered) equipment_on the_plane_and a satellite
connection.

So_I'm_not convinced_that this is an improvement over in_flight WiFi,_besides
a way for carriers to extract_more roaming data charges_from_us. That said,
we've also got better_laws over roaming data charges within_Europe coming in
over the next_few_years_too.

~~~
Uberphallus
Nice-London flight here, it was_slow and unreliable too. Instant messaging
worked_reasonably better than_checking websites, but upload speed was rather
slow_(1_min to share a picture in_WhatsApp).

Still,_it's an amazing service for free,_the_one_you expect to pay extra_for.

------
smileysteve
Wifi on flights uses less battery,_is likely faster, is a