Nov 10, 2016, 3:30 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Can I use my cell phone or Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service for voice communications or videoconferencing while inflight?
Although you are allowed to use your cell phone in airplane mode for activities such as surfing the Internet and sending email, we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, VoIP or any similar service. Voice and video calls are not permitted. By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight.
Although you are allowed to use your cell phone in airplane mode for activities such as surfing the Internet and sending email, we do not allow the use of our onboard Internet service for voice communication or videoconferencing through a cell phone, VoIP or any similar service. Voice and video calls are not permitted. By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight.
[CONSOLIDATED] United WiFi and phone calls: WiFi Calling, VOIP apps, & etc discussion
Apr 30, 2015, 9:58 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Houston, TX
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Several of y'all are freaking out and Emirates has put mini cell towers on a bunch of their 777s and A380s.
http://www.emirates.com/us/english/f...connected.aspx
http://www.emirates.com/us/english/f...connected.aspx
Apr 30, 2015, 10:05 am
#32
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Several of y'all are freaking out and Emirates has put mini cell towers on a bunch of their 777s and A380s.
http://www.emirates.com/us/english/f...connected.aspx
http://www.emirates.com/us/english/f...connected.aspx
ne together for years.
Apr 30, 2015, 10:10 am
#33
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I think there are two reasons why airline rules prohibit video/voice calls:
1. Disturbing other passengers.
2. Bandwidth issues. According to Skype, video calling requires at least 128 kbps. It doesn't take many simultaneous video calls to cause issues for others who want to surf the web and/or send some emails. Listening to a podcast downloaded before the flight obviously wouldn't cause any issues, listening in on a conference call may cause issues if a lot of people do it.
1. Disturbing other passengers.
2. Bandwidth issues. According to Skype, video calling requires at least 128 kbps. It doesn't take many simultaneous video calls to cause issues for others who want to surf the web and/or send some emails. Listening to a podcast downloaded before the flight obviously wouldn't cause any issues, listening in on a conference call may cause issues if a lot of people do it.
Apr 30, 2015, 10:25 am
#34
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Apr 30, 2015, 10:56 am
#35
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Apr 30, 2015, 12:35 pm
#37
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Apr 30, 2015, 12:38 pm
#38
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I don't understand why you think a cell phone should be so different, as well this was a day flight and Since when were flights "no talk zones".
Regarding people who shout at their cell phones - the same people would shout at the person next to them and laugh loud enough at their AVOD's to interfere with the planes signals.
Others bring their noise spreading headphones on board and put it really loud too - acknowledged there are public peace abusers.
Planes are not libraries. i would have no problem if someone spoke - quietly on the phone. it's not inconsiderate. especially on international flights, plug in your headphones and enjoy your AVOD.
Re: FCC law. since this was Voip - it may not fit in the category of the ban, as it seems the intention of the law, was to forbid cellular usage - not data. Cellular connections were presumed to possibly effect the planes signals. voip is data - hence it may not fit into the ban.
Re: United rules - this is not the law. The FA i doubt was dumb enough to think the cellular network was working at 30,000 feet or what not. But ok - united's policy clearly forbids this anyway.
So here's the next question. Because there will be people who abuse it, should all passengers NOT be able to be as productive during flights?
I see a time when flights have not just a seat and wifi for social network browsing, but 1gbs wifi, the tray table has a touch sensitive keyboard, and from takeoff to landing your able to plow away at work on a 17 inch IPS screen on the back of the chair in front of you, to which you connect your "rasberry pi" or your new microsoft or apple equivalent and run your regular desktop from the cattle cabin - and attend web conferences from the inbuilt webcam in front of you.
One of the benefits of flying verses for example driving - is that while flying you should be able to and can already be much more productive, anyone who takes the subway will tell you how much they read or get done on the way to and from work - vs sitting in traffic thats a great utilization. This will be a great benefit of automatic cars, and should in the 21st - be a benefit of flying.
For a NYC-LAX Flight - I want to see an office, not a bed on the next new cabin rollout...
That upgrade would easily go as a business expense - imagine not paying to upgrade from coach to premium economy for more legroom but rather to "economy work" where you can actually be super productive for your 6hrs in the air. If you run your own business this is a very valuable offer.
Apr 30, 2015, 12:58 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
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Posts: 5,693
Couple of people arguing that VOIP is not a voice call, but a data call...
"By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight."
"By purchasing an Internet plan and accessing our service on board, you agree not to make voice or video calls, including but not limited to VoIP, in flight."
Apr 30, 2015, 12:59 pm
#40
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Apr 30, 2015, 1:43 pm
#43
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Apr 30, 2015, 2:02 pm
#44
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?? I had always assumed the "spirit" of the FAA/FCC were doing was preventing interference with flight electronics and stressing the cell networks (neither of which is an issue here). They couldn't care less about preserving a pleasant atmosphere for other passengers... (although it's a nice side benefit)
