Airfone's days are numbered...
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 1999
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Airfone's days are numbered...
For those of you who enjoy the airfone service on United, bad news:
JetBlue wins air-ground wireless license
From the article:
I really dont like this development. It is very nice to have the ability to make calls when absolutely necessary while in air. Knowing United's progress in the wifi arena, it's not like we can expect to have VOIP/Connexion as an alternative
JetBlue wins air-ground wireless license
From the article:
The current user of the airwaves, Verizon Communications' Airfone unit, dropped out early in the auction that started on May 10. After the licenses are issued, Verizon must limit operations and then in May 2010 give up the airwaves.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: all over
Posts: 1,968
I actually use the airfone as of late. With 10 bucks a month and 10c a minute which all goes to my verizone wireless bill it is reasonable to use. I also get to use my cellphone number. Before they came up with it i never touched the phone but since they made it reasonable I have used it.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
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This is not good. I hope UA makes a deal to keep the phones.
#4
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Originally Posted by InDiAnBoY821
: With 10 bucks a month and 10c a minute which all goes to my verizone wireless bill it is reasonable to use. I also get to use my cellphone number. Before they came up with it i never touched the phone but since they made it reasonable I have used it.
I do the same thing it makes the airplane like an office for me. The good news this does not go into play untill 2010 and hopefully by then a deal will be worked out.
#5
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I have never usedthe airfone, and probably never will. On my flight today, I saw two people uing it the entire duration of the flight. I haven't seen them used for a long time.
#6
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So what about UA's "bold" plan to use the Verizon Airfone bandwidth as a carrier for their planned wireless broadband Internet access on-board domestic flights? Scrapped? Dead in the water?
#7
Join Date: Feb 2005
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These phones are invaluable when your in the middle of an important business deal. I was actually in the process of changing from Sprint to Verizon to get the discounted rate. Is it definite they are removing the phones?
#8
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Originally Posted by carl92103
These phones are invaluable when your in the middle of an important business deal. I was actually in the process of changing from Sprint to Verizon to get the discounted rate. Is it definite they are removing the phones?
I honestly don't know how they managed to screw up their rate structure that badly, when friends with wealth dripping off their fingertips would say "it can wait until we land." Those friends should have been the ones sucked in by teaser rates. I guess Airfone's market was people paying for international F rather than domestic C. Works on some routes, but definitely not on US/HP....
#9
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Heck, I didn't know that they had dropped the rates so low ($10 + $.10). It was still $20/call last time I touched the phone. I may connect the service through an old Verizon cell phone line that my mother uses. It's worth $10/month to have the phone available. Are the rates the same for international flights?
#10
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: all over
Posts: 1,968
Originally Posted by TravelManKen
Heck, I didn't know that they had dropped the rates so low ($10 + $.10). It was still $20/call last time I touched the phone. I may connect the service through an old Verizon cell phone line that my mother uses. It's worth $10/month to have the phone available. Are the rates the same for international flights?
#11
Join Date: Feb 2006
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This may be a good thing.
It may mean the end of Airfon, but it may make the way for internet
and may be VoIP phone service in the aircrafts through a different
provider.
and may be VoIP phone service in the aircrafts through a different
provider.
#12
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Originally Posted by cpx
It may mean the end of Airfon, but it may make the way for internet
and may be VoIP phone service in the aircrafts through a different
provider.
and may be VoIP phone service in the aircrafts through a different
provider.
Since May 2004, 90-95% of my longhaul business goes to airlines that have it NOW. Today, there's a decent choice of carriers. More to come. See http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/ind...ilable&lang=en
Wake me when UA has it, too.
#13
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 579
Getting rid of the phones saves weight which reduces fuel consumption.
#14
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Originally Posted by ILUV767
Getting rid of the phones saves weight which reduces fuel consumption.
Getting rid of seats, food (oops, already done), beverages (RAR!), magazines, amenity kits, blankets, milk and pillows will certainly improve the bottom line, as well.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
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Originally Posted by flysurfer
I'm not holding my breath.
Since May 2004, 90-95% of my longhaul business goes to airlines that have it NOW. Today, there's a decent choice of carriers. More to come. See http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/ind...ilable&lang=en
Wake me when UA has it, too.
Since May 2004, 90-95% of my longhaul business goes to airlines that have it NOW. Today, there's a decent choice of carriers. More to come. See http://www.connexionbyboeing.com/ind...ilable&lang=en
Wake me when UA has it, too.
since the demand and trend is going that way.