T-Mobile - Free Viasat Wifi
Jun 21, 2022, 6:38 am
#16
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
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Posts: 3,847
Jun 21, 2022, 6:51 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
I actually switched from my grandfathered One Plus Plan to Magenta Max for this since you also get 5GB of international high speed data too in +210 countries. I often do 5-6 international trips a year and this would come in VERY handy!
Jun 21, 2022, 7:08 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Denver, CO, USA
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Posts: 26,694
Jun 23, 2022, 10:25 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
As a One customer I have wifi for my three hour flight it seems, but no mention of using "one of four" of these anywhere. Out of curiosity, I had clicked on the $15 purchase link to log in.
Jun 23, 2022, 5:02 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 224
Delta is slowly upgrading their Wi-Fi on the flights. They went from slow, ground based Gogo Wi-Fi, to satellite based Gogo, and have been rolling out Viasat on newer planes. The way you can usually tell which system your flight has:
- flights with no live TV are generally ground-based Gogo
- flights with live TV are mostly Gogo satellite based (and you’ll get a Gogo splash screen / routed to Gogo as you log in)
- flights with flat $5 internet are Viasat. These often show “New Wi-Fi” in the online booking portal / app booking portal.
T-Mobile provided free Wi-Fi or 1 hour, depending on your T-Mobile plan only on Gogo. The login screen shows this free option on phones only, not on most tablets and not on laptops.
Now, they appear to be rolling it out on Viasat as part of this enhancement. I did not see this option on Friday on my two Viasat flights. In each case I paid $5 for a flight pass, which I didn’t mind but free is always better.
- flights with no live TV are generally ground-based Gogo
- flights with live TV are mostly Gogo satellite based (and you’ll get a Gogo splash screen / routed to Gogo as you log in)
- flights with flat $5 internet are Viasat. These often show “New Wi-Fi” in the online booking portal / app booking portal.
T-Mobile provided free Wi-Fi or 1 hour, depending on your T-Mobile plan only on Gogo. The login screen shows this free option on phones only, not on most tablets and not on laptops.
Now, they appear to be rolling it out on Viasat as part of this enhancement. I did not see this option on Friday on my two Viasat flights. In each case I paid $5 for a flight pass, which I didn’t mind but free is always better.
Then you have the satellite Ku Band Gogo which activates at 10K feet
Satellite 2Ku Gogo which is gate to gate
and finally Viasat.
Obviously the 717s don’t offer Seatback IFE and the live tv has been on a mix of Ku and 2Ku aircraft in my experience.
Jun 24, 2022, 6:44 am
#21
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,050
I switched to T-Mobile years ago because I didn't have to pay for texts and data (speeds weren't great) when traveling internationally. I'm excited to try the "high speed" data and see if there is a difference.
Jun 24, 2022, 7:04 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
I'll see if it works on Mon. Going to UK, France and Italy so it will be a good test for all those countries.
Jun 24, 2022, 7:07 am
#23
Moderator: Hawaii-based airlines & Hawai'i forums
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Ka ʻĀpala Nui, Nuioka
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Posts: 18,038
Thanks for posting the link to the AAA offer; it was very easy to add it to my existing account. I've also been using the free WiFi on Delta flights for a few years (mostly domestic) and it's been a nice benefit.
Jun 25, 2022, 9:22 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriot Gold
Posts: 371
Jun 26, 2022, 6:04 am
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 51,050
There is a huge difference! I used to pay for the 5GB plan ($30 or something) when I travel and it's way faster than the normal 3G speeds you get for free. Sometimes it's 4G LTE or 5G depending on the country. Now that's included so more $30 plans for me when I go overseas.
I'll see if it works on Mon. Going to UK, France and Italy so it will be a good test for all those countries.
I'll see if it works on Mon. Going to UK, France and Italy so it will be a good test for all those countries.
Jun 26, 2022, 6:21 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 1,996
There is a huge difference! I used to pay for the 5GB plan ($30 or something) when I travel and it's way faster than the normal 3G speeds you get for free. Sometimes it's 4G LTE or 5G depending on the country. Now that's included so more $30 plans for me when I go overseas.
I'll see if it works on Mon. Going to UK, France and Italy so it will be a good test for all those countries.
I'll see if it works on Mon. Going to UK, France and Italy so it will be a good test for all those countries.
So I'm not sure I understand the comment in that context.
5G will depend on if your phone is compatible, right?
Jun 26, 2022, 7:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
Allow me to clarify. You now get 5 gigabytes of international data with up to 5G speeds. The old plan I had was limited to 3G speeds unless you paid extra for the travel data plan. Now, you get 5G speed for free, assuming your phone is 5G capable and the country you are visiting has 5G.
Jun 27, 2022, 1:49 am
#28
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 1,996
Allow me to clarify. You now get 5 gigabytes of international data with up to 5G speeds. The old plan I had was limited to 3G speeds unless you paid extra for the travel data plan. Now, you get 5G speed for free, assuming your phone is 5G capable and the country you are visiting has 5G.
I suppose I'm wondering if your phone has to be 5G compatible for that to be the case. May not work for my iphone 7...
Jun 27, 2022, 4:41 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 591
Jun 27, 2022, 5:48 am
#30
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: DL, UA, AA
Posts: 1,996
Your IPhone 7 is not 5G compatible. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211828