Delta to test free WiFi on 55 domestic GoGo flights per day
May 9, 2019, 8:14 am
#1
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Delta to test free WiFi on 55 domestic GoGo flights per day
Starting May 13:
https://news.delta.com/delta-takes-f...l-limited-test
Eager to see how this goes, but leery of the performance hit as someone who regularly pays for WiFi via monthly subscription.
https://news.delta.com/delta-takes-f...l-limited-test
Delta's initial test on select domestic high-speed 2Ku Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft is designed to understand customer experience preferences, system performance, customer feedback and more. Dimbiloglu noted that due to the complexity of the project, it will likely take several more test phases and lots of listening to ensure the free product Delta delivers, adds value.
"As with any test in uncharted territory, Delta will rely heavily on customer and employee feedback to navigate how to best make free in-flight Wi-Fi a reality," Dimbiloglu said.
Test flight segments will change daily as part of the test structure, but customers will be notified by Delta if they're being tapped for the test via email and a Fly Delta app push notification prior to their flight and upon visiting the Wi-Fi portal on board.
"As with any test in uncharted territory, Delta will rely heavily on customer and employee feedback to navigate how to best make free in-flight Wi-Fi a reality," Dimbiloglu said.
Test flight segments will change daily as part of the test structure, but customers will be notified by Delta if they're being tapped for the test via email and a Fly Delta app push notification prior to their flight and upon visiting the Wi-Fi portal on board.
Last edited by jrkmsp; May 9, 2019 at 8:23 am Reason: Fixed date. Because I'm an idiot.
May 9, 2019, 8:21 am
#2
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Starting March 13:
https://news.delta.com/delta-takes-f...l-limited-test
Eager to see how this goes, but leery of the performance hit as someone who regularly pays for WiFi via monthly subscription.
https://news.delta.com/delta-takes-f...l-limited-test
Eager to see how this goes, but leery of the performance hit as someone who regularly pays for WiFi via monthly subscription.
May 9, 2019, 8:24 am
#3
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May 9, 2019, 9:28 am
#5
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May 9, 2019, 10:02 am
#6
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Maybe they can prioritize bandwidth for paying users and throttle bandwidth for the leeches.
While they are at it, prevent people from using Facetime... been seeing paxs do that way too often lately.
While they are at it, prevent people from using Facetime... been seeing paxs do that way too often lately.
May 9, 2019, 10:04 am
#7
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I wonder if this will even have much of an impact, at least on domestic flights. Many people are already streaming for DL Studio and that's the same signal - just when you're using DL Studio that's the only thing you can access via GoGo.
May 9, 2019, 10:12 am
#8
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DL is specific in noting the test is on 2Ku flights, not the slower Ku or even slower ATG-4 services.
May 9, 2019, 10:12 am
#9
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You mean the signal that many users are already using to stream DL Studio?
I wonder if this will even have much of an impact, at least on domestic flights. Many people are already streaming for DL Studio and that's the same signal - just when you're using DL Studio that's the only thing you can access via GoGo.
I wonder if this will even have much of an impact, at least on domestic flights. Many people are already streaming for DL Studio and that's the same signal - just when you're using DL Studio that's the only thing you can access via GoGo.
May 9, 2019, 10:22 am
#10
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I don't see how anything less than 2Ku would be able to operate under the load of a free-for-all. Heck, those other systems already barely work, even after half of the paying passengers on flights with those technologies have given up on trying after page loads hang for 2 minutes.
May 9, 2019, 11:02 am
#11
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May 9, 2019, 11:23 am
#12
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To simplify - the onboard device that has the media for the IFE is connected to the device that broadcasts the Wifi signal. So you have to connect to the wireless network to get the on-board streaming. The plane to ground connection is a separate connection to the device that broadcasts the wireless signal. Not that there aren't limits to the bandwidth between user end device (phone, laptop, etc) to the device broadcasting the wireless signal, but that's usually significantly higher than than the connection from plane to ground.
May 9, 2019, 12:16 pm
#13
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Perhaps they'll use a model similar to what they already sell on some of the 2Ku flights... a 'browse' pass for normal web use and a 'stream' pass where you can utilize more bandwidth.
In this case, the free access might be equivalent to the casual 'browse' pass bandwidth and if you pay some amount then you get increased bandwidth. The ability to prioritize and allocate bandwidth is already there so would just be adjusting to what is needed.
In this case, the free access might be equivalent to the casual 'browse' pass bandwidth and if you pay some amount then you get increased bandwidth. The ability to prioritize and allocate bandwidth is already there so would just be adjusting to what is needed.
May 9, 2019, 1:12 pm
#14
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From what I've read, streaming won't be allowed on the free pass. So yeah, it'd be some iteration of the Browse pass. On aircraft fitted with a fair amount of outside-of-plane 'net capacity. So it should be fine performance-wise.
Remember that B6 has has free in-flight WiFi via ViaSat for years now and their service has been able to keep up with the load. Between higher capacity and the ability to prioritize/throttle the poors (the ranks of which I'll gladly join as long as the free tier can reliably keep an SSH connection) this should be a good thing. Though it might be good enough to command a fare premium over competitors...you know, like all the other good stuff Delta does.
Remember that B6 has has free in-flight WiFi via ViaSat for years now and their service has been able to keep up with the load. Between higher capacity and the ability to prioritize/throttle the poors (the ranks of which I'll gladly join as long as the free tier can reliably keep an SSH connection) this should be a good thing. Though it might be good enough to command a fare premium over competitors...you know, like all the other good stuff Delta does.