In-Flight Phone Calls and Texting Hit Brazil's TAM Airlines
Jeez, it wasn't all that long ago when In-Flight WiFi seemed like it would be a rare dream occurrence, but then the airlines really got with it and set their sights on connectivity solutions for passengers. The newest airline to join the in-flight WiFi club is Brazil's TAM, who recently announced that internet is now available on select Airbus A321s, operating between Guarulhos, Recife, Natal, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre.
But wait! TAM's partnership with OnAir for this connectivity is more than just the internet; passengers can now also make and receive phone calls and send and receive text messages on GPRS networks from their GSM phones. Of course your plane must be at cruising altitude before you can hit "power," but once you are, up to 8 passengers can use the calling and texting signal at once.
Now for the big question: how much will it cost? Well, that's totally up to your phone provider. Says TAM: "Passengers can use their Smartphones onboard to access e-mails or surf the Internet and usage will be charged directly by the mobile network provider to the passenger's phone bill at rates set by his or her usual provider." Keep in mind that this qualifies as international roaming, so hopefully not too many people will take advantage of the opportunity to gab through the flight knowing there'll be a big bill waiting at home.
[Photo: Phinalanji]
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