As of December 24th, 2010, Aeroflot has opened up a capability that allows passengers to send/receive SMS and MMS messages in-flight, as well as use internet on mobile devices. The provider for these services is Russian mobile operator Megafon - at present, only those with Megafon plans will be able to access the new in-flight features. Currently only one of its aircraft, a A321 features the service. Throughout 2011, Aeroflot will spread the service to an array of aircraft types, including all the A330s.
Because it will take time to install the equipment on more planes, Aeroflot is providing passengers with free, unlimited access to SMS/MMS/Mobile Internet until January 31st, 2011.
It is also expected that all other major mobile operators will jump on-board this program so that their customers will be able to access inflight mobile use as well.
It looks like calls will not be happening as it will be disruptive to fellow passengers, and from what I understand, it will be asked of all passengers to use silent/vibration features so that cell phones won't ring during the flight.
mrskyguy From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1203 posts, RR: 3 Reply 1, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 2527 times:
Meh. Lukewarm at best (by western standards).
Granted, anything is better than nothing.. but for the weight and cost, why not a solution like Row 44's Iridium that gets the "entire" job done? Perhaps there's something about Russia that I don't understand?
"The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee." -- Gunter's 2nd Law of Air
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, RR: 30 Reply 2, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 2521 times:
Quoting mrskyguy (Reply 1): Perhaps there's something about Russia that I don't understand?
A lot of the time when I talk to people, it seems that the capability of texting in flight often outweighs having internet connections. Especially on short hops. Mobile internet is very sufficient for handling email communication as well, so this is a nice solution to appeal to these passengers.
Quoting mrskyguy (Reply 1): Meh. Lukewarm at best (by western standards).
Depends on the standards.
A lot of western carriers don't have SMS rights for their passengers. And as you said, this is loads better than nothing, considering internet is not widespread throughout the aviation industry. The USA is catching on fast, but other nations are arguably lagging.
mrskyguy From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1203 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 2505 times:
Quoting Aeroflot777 (Reply 2): A lot of the time when I talk to people, it seems that the capability of texting in flight often outweighs having internet connections. Especially on short hops. Mobile internet is very sufficient for handling email communication as well, so this is a nice solution to appeal to these passengers.
See, out here it's 50/50. Sure, I would like to be able to use my blackberry/iPhone in flight as if there was no service interruption, but paying extra for this service for a short haul is a tough consideration unless there's a deal to close in a hurry and I *NEED* to be connected for that hour. It doesn't happen often, so to me there's a leak in that proverbial balloon.
Quoting Aeroflot777 (Reply 2): A lot of western carriers don't have SMS rights for their passengers. And as you said, this is loads better than nothing, considering internet is not widespread throughout the aviation industry. The USA is catching on fast, but other nations are arguably lagging.
Sort of. In my opinion, the boat tipped when WN began retrofitting NG's with Row 44.. adding to the GoGo-equipped airlines such as AAL and Virgin. But the problem with WN's model (in my humble opinion) is the A) lack of seat power and B) typically shorter route segments which do drastically effect a buyer's sense of a deal.
Nevertheless, if given the option to have Wifi OR 3G connectivity for a long flight, I'd prefer Wifi hands-down many times over.
"The strength of the turbulence is directly proportional to the temperature of your coffee." -- Gunter's 2nd Law of Air
Aeroflot777 From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, RR: 30 Reply 4, posted (2 years 4 months 3 weeks 5 days 9 hours ago) and read 2409 times:
Quoting mrskyguy (Reply 3): Sure, I would like to be able to use my blackberry/iPhone in flight as if there was no service interruption, but paying extra for this service for a short haul is a tough consideration unless there's a deal to close in a hurry and I *NEED* to be connected for that hour. I
I think this is precisely the difference in consumer needs that I was talking about. All immediate information is readily available on phones nowadays - so there is not always a need for full out Wi-Fi connectivity like what exists in the USA. Hell, most of my friends who aren't aviation geeks and travel for pleasure as opposed to business, use their phones for all communication on Wi-Fi equipped aircraft. Leisure travelers don't always lug around their laptops. In which case 3G connections with mobile internet do exactly the same job as Wi-Fi since people are using their mobile devices over actual laptop computers.
Exactly. While we are slowly (VERY slowly I might add) seeing ports being added to seats, generally Y class travel does not give pax access to charging devices. Keeping the size of Russia in mind, some of the long routes would benefit from 3G rather than Wi-Fi.
Quoting mrskyguy (Reply 3): I'd prefer Wifi hands-down many times over.
I wouldn't mind it either! Both would be ideal in my perfect world I'd love to be able to stay in touch with people on the ground in real-time via SMS.
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From Russia, joined Mar 2004, 2957 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1203 posts, 
I'd love to be able to stay in touch with people on the ground in real-time via SMS.
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