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UNITED KINGDOM : Emirates launches Airbus A380 Wi-Fi internet connectivity [TendersInfo (India)](TendersInfo (India) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Customers on Emirates' Airbus A380s can now surf, share, email, or tweet as the airline launches Wi-Fi internet connectivity from OnAir via Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband. The Wi-Fi in the sky service can be accessed by passengers using their Wi-Fi-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. All customers have to do is open up their device's wireless connections, log on to the OnAir network and follow the simple steps to access the internet. As part of a proving phase, customers on many A380 flights have been using the service for many months already as the system was installed and activated on the first few A380s last year. The service will initially be available on 11 A380 aircraft, but eventually the whole fleet of 71 aircraft will be equipped. "Emirates recognises that being connected in-flight is increasingly important, especially on our longer flights," said Patrick Brannelly, Emirates' vice president corporate communications. "Adding internet access is going to be a vital and ubiquitous part of any in-flight experience, just as it is in everyday life on the ground. "As a result of our testing, we were able to learn a lot about what people like to do with the internet and are pleased to be able to launch with very affordable pricing options. "Emirates has led the way in mobile phone use onboard with 91 aircraft currently allowing the service," he added. "We are obviously delighted to launch OnAir Wi-Fi on our Airbus A380 aircraft and we will continue to invest in additional communications products across our entire fleet." In addition to Wi-Fi, from mid-2012 all new Emirates A380s will also deliver mobile phone and mobile data services. Price plans start at just US $7.50 for mobile devices and US $15 on laptops for generous data packages that allow plenty of internet at an accessible price. The US $7.50 package should be sufficient for the average BlackBerry user to stay connected all the way from Dubai to Paris - a flight of more than six and a half hours. Ian Dawkins, chief executive of OnAir, said: "The fact that Emirates has chosen OnAir connectivity services for its A380 fleet validates our strategy of developing a SwiftBroadband-based consistent global service. "With the significant expansion of the Emirates A380 aircraft and global route network, it is important for passengers to access connectivity services any time and anywhere." (c) 2011 Euclid Infotech Pvt. Ltd. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |