I took a test flight of Gogo's high-speed in-flight Internet "2Ku" (Part 1)

In-flight Internet service that allows you to use the Internet on an airplane

``Gogo Inflight Internet'' provided by GoGo worldwide is an in-flight Internet service that can be used on board an airplane. Currently, in many countries, with the exception of taxiing after landing and closing the door after boarding, basically mobile phone lines (mobile phone lines here means wireless such as LTE, 3G, 2G, WiMAX The use of small electronic devices that emit radio waves is prohibited. This is because there is a concern that mobile phone radio waves may affect the aircraft's instruments. It is requested to be in a mode that turns off the radio wave of the mobile phone line. For this reason, it is not possible to connect to the Internet using a mobile phone line until the plane has landed and started taxiing (although rules vary from country to country).

However, the Internet is now becoming a more important social infrastructure than the telephone. With the spread of smartphones, more and more people are contacting by e-mail or chatting using instant messengers (IM) such as "LINE" or "Facebook Messenger" rather than by telephone. there is Therefore, there is a strong need to use the Internet even in the cabin of an airplane.

Or if you are a business user, for example, while the manager is on an international flight, if a problem occurs and you need to make a quick decision, it used to be about 10 minutes from Japan to the United States. It would have been impossible to make contact during the time flight. However, if you can use the in-flight Internet, you can receive e-mails and IMs, so you are more likely to deal with such emergencies. Also, in the case of a job that writes articles like the author, there were many cases where work efficiency did not improve, such as being unable to search on the Internet during long-distance flights.

　For such users, being able to use the Internet on board is extremely convenient (putting aside the debate about whether or not you have to work while on board, as it is a matter of values ​​for the time being). I will not argue with that.

　The in-flight internet service currently provided by Gogo and others starts when the plane reaches cruising altitude, wireless communication is performed using ground antennas or satellites, and the internet can be used. . In many cases, it is a paid service, and passengers can use it by paying with a credit card.

　In Japan, JAL (Japan Airlines) uses Gogo's solution to provide services on domestic flights. In the United States, it is available on some of Delta's international flights, as well as on many domestic flights of Delta, American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and more, and the number of compatible flights is increasing.

Using Gogo's in-flight Internet service from inside a Delta Air Lines international flight. Aircraft with an in-flight Internet service that allows you to access the Internet via Wi-Fi from inside the aircraft using a smartphone or PC will have an instruction manual for using the service. Delta Air Lines U.S. domestic aircraft, which have a Wi-Fi mark indicating that they are equipped with in-flight Internet, also have a light indicating whether in-flight Internet is available. Available when it glows blue. Basically, it can be used after reaching cruising altitude.