Internet coming to cars, airplanes on clarkhoward.com

The Internet is truly going to be everywhere. Chrysler is putting a wireless Internet service called UConnect Web in all its cars. The hope is that people won't create a road hazard by surfing while they drive!

This idea of the Internet in vehicles became popular with the high-end bus services that operate on city-to-city routes throughout the Northeast. The bus carriers put in wireless Internet capabilities in a bid to attract business travelers.

Meanwhile, American Airlines is testing Internet for it fleet of planes. AA is using strategically placed towers -- similar to cell phone towers -- to implement the technology. Clark expects the market price will be around $10 a flight.

Boeing lost money when they tried equipping their planes with Internet capabilities using a satellite-based technology. Their price point would have been around $30 a flight.

Some travelers see airplanes as the last sanctuary away from work, but Clark would like the ability to surf the 'Net at 30,000 feet -- if the price is right.

What others are saying

In flight Internet access...
I think $10/flight is still too expensive. At $5/flight, I would use it every time. At $10, I would only use it in rare instances that require I be connected during the time I am in the air on very long flights. At $30/flight, Boeing was industrial-strength STUPID to believe anybody with a brainwave would use it. What a shock - they lost money!

Looks like the airlines are finally ready to admit that wireless devices don't interfere with the aircraft's electronics, though. That's something that private pilots have known for a long time. I doubt they are going to attempt to run hard-wired Ethernet to every seat.
By Joe Traveler @ 07/05/08 04:46:39 PMreport abuse

In flight Internet access...

I think $10/flight is still too expensive. At $5/flight, I would use it every time. At $10, I would only use it in rare instances that require I be connected during the time I am in the air on very long flights. At $30/flight, Boeing was industrial-strength STUPID to believe anybody with a brainwave would use it. What a shock - they lost money!

Looks like the airlines are finally ready to admit that wireless devices don't interfere with the aircraft's electronics, though. That's something that private pilots have known for a long time. I doubt they are going to attempt to run hard-wired Ethernet to every seat.

By Joe Traveler @ 07/05/08 04:46:39 PMreport abuse

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Jul 03, 2008 -- Internet coming to cars, airplanes

What others are saying