FCC's new spectrum auction to bring broadband to planes

The FCC is gearing up for one of their spectrum auctions that always get the big telecoms in a tizzy. This new auction is for the airwaves currently being used to hit planes with incredibly expensive phone service. Verizon is the culprit there, but they'd like to get in on this new auction to be able to offer broadband to planes, which sounds good to us, though based on their phone charges, internet might cost more than the flight itself. And then, of course, there is the question of Skype usage, and once somebody does it everybody is going to be reaching for their cellphones, and we'll end up with one big noisy 747. Well, we've got until May 10th for the auction, and about a year after that for the services to get set up, so we'll try to get some traveling in soon and enjoy the sound of crying babies while we still can.

[victor @ Jan 13th 2006 7:26AM]

Well I like the idea, frankly having internet on a long flight would be as good as tv for me (provided they give my laptop some place to plug in after 3 hours).



It is also pretty clear that they will allow cell phone use soon, as I have started to use my phone. And so far, the jet has not exploded from the 1 watt transmitter inside...

[felix @ Jan 13th 2006 7:50AM]

time to upgrade to a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

[Joshua @ Jan 13th 2006 7:57AM]

Well its already on offer on some Boeing planes. I was on a Singapore Airlines flight from Singapore to London and was offered free satellite broadband access. Here is a write up of the service.



http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/



Unfortunately it was down when I tried to login - wanted to test the speed - will be doing it on my next flight.



I agree with Victor - surfing the net will just be another means of entertainment if you don't particularly like any of the inflight movies or games.

[mroach @ Jan 13th 2006 8:10AM]

I wonder what sorts of allocations they're doing. Boeing currently has Connexion that they operate with a bunch of airlines and that runs over satellite. They have such great rates; $30 for the entire flight! That would be so worth it for a transatlantic flight. Next time I fly overseas, I'm going to make sure I get on a flight with internet. Watching movies passes the time well, but we all know how time flies when you're online; pun intended.



http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/

[mroach @ Jan 13th 2006 8:11AM]

Looks like I was beaten while I was typing :/

[Jason @ Jan 13th 2006 9:25AM]

Great-- that's just what's needed on a plane: a few dozen rude cellphone/skype users yammering away for the entire flight.



How long will it take before some sales guy is sitting in the seat next to me making sales calls or some exec yelling at her assistant?

[Cord @ Jan 13th 2006 10:17AM]

Snakes...on a plane.

[Seth @ Jan 13th 2006 10:22AM]

I'm not too concerned about the noise that will be created by allowing cellphone use on planes. People today simply have a conversation with the person they are sitting next to and this creates the same amount of noise as talking on the cellphone.



If someone doesn't know how to talk as a reasonable volume, you can bet their seat mates will let them know. If it becomes an argument, I am sure hostility is considered some violation of FAA regulations and the flight attendant will inform the flier that they could be arrested if they keep up their actions.



I am all for in-flight cellphones and internet connections (that will allow for Skype usage). It will help me pass the time and I have a nice pair of Bose noise cancelling headphones to help in case I get stuck next to a crying baby (why aren't those outlawed?)

[AH @ Jan 13th 2006 11:18AM]

This sounds like a very good reason to invest in a wireless signal blocker :)

[Michael @ Jan 13th 2006 11:32AM]

"...crying baby (why aren't those outlawed?)"

You've never had children, have you...

[Nick @ Jan 13th 2006 12:44PM]

"...we'll end up with one big noisy 747"



747s are noisy by nature - ever noticed those two massive engines either side of the plane?

[Russ @ Jan 13th 2006 4:40PM]

Funny, I've never enjoyed a minute spent with crying babies.



Perhaps the author was going for sarcasm. In which case, if you enjoyed it, I would highly recommend this movie. Lots of sarcasm.



http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B00004Y62W/ref=dp_primary-product-display_0/002-2220694-6388023?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=507846&s=dvd



What did you guys use to edit that pic? MSpaint?

[Ian Argent @ Jan 13th 2006 6:49PM]

I'm pretty sure that's from the poster for Airplane - not a photoshop

[Stoneman @ Jan 13th 2006 10:00PM]

Love it when the autopilot is seen smoking the cigarette.... after she re-inflated him.

[CJ @ Jan 13th 2006 10:36PM]

agreed crying baby but also obesse people should be outlawed to fly coach as well :->

[elmapache @ Jan 13th 2006 11:30PM]

i think there's something wrong with that plane

[Jesus @ Jan 14th 2006 5:51AM]

#11--you're the life of the party. I can tell.

#9--just because some people have children doesn't mean we have to put up with their (stupid, IMO) mistake. So, yes, crying babies on planes should be outlawed.



Anyone who worries about noise pollution due to cell phone access on planes simply hasn't flown enough. When I fly I can barely have a conversation with the person next to me in the air, let alone hear someone on a cell phone 2 rows behind me.

[andrew @ Jan 14th 2006 4:40PM]

has anyone else noticed how engadget's links in the comments throw a "" tag in at the end? im on firefox on xp and every single time i click on a link in the comments, it breaks because of the tag being added to the url.

[andrew @ Jan 14th 2006 4:42PM]

it wouldnt let me say it... i typed < b r > but it removed it.