WiFi on QF Domestic

[blackcat20]

Don't know where you got that from but it's not correct – it's free, without any data cap.

Read it on Facebook....obviously whoever posted that was wrong. Sorry. I did say "apparently" as I didnt have time this morning to check for myself.

 

[nlagalle]

Don't EY provide some sporting events live streamed. Some F1 races, football (well some Man City games) and the racing? I must admit, I've never really watched it as there is little there to interest me. I think they might also stream BBCNews24.

Granted these are different as there are only a few streams which are then fed to the media boxes but the tech is there.

I know EK do as i watched the rugby world cup flying home from SIN

 

[nlagalle]

As this is domestic only is there any reason they'd need to be limited to satellite connections over places like the east coast. I can get decent mobile service all the way out to Woomera these days. Surely there would be suitable terrestrial based options in many locations.

They did test it with Telstra and 4G. not sure why the decided not to utilise that.. perhaps overall coverage?

 

[Princess Fiona]

15mb limit then its a paid service apparently.

What's the source for the 15mb limit ?

EDIT: Apologies I didn't see your reply above

 

[TheInsider]

They did test it with Telstra and 4G. not sure why the decided not to utilise that.. perhaps overall coverage?

It would've been coverage.

 

[medhead]

They did test it with Telstra and 4G. not sure why the decided not to utilise that.. perhaps overall coverage?

It would've been coverage.

Probably rather complex to have to switch between connections modalities, I suppose. Perhaps a weight hit for equipment as well.

 

[blackcat20]

What's the source for the 15mb limit ?

EDIT: Apologies I didn't see your reply above

That's what I get for believing what I read on Facebook apparently Mea culpa for not double checking but a bit occupied this morning with work.

 

[NoName]

Now when are they going to bring back internet access for international flights??!!

 

[opusman]

Now when are they going to bring back internet access for international flights??!!

Apparently there was "no demand".

 

[DavidFlynn]

Now when are they going to bring back internet access for international flights??!!

It's being considered as part of the ViaSat program, but domestic is arguably the low-hanging fruit. Qantas trials of A380 Internet access on the SYD-LAX and MEL-LAX routes had 5% take-up rate, some say cruelled simply by lack of promotion, but a major factor was that must of those flights are overnight – virtually so ex-Syd and ex-MEL, literally so ex-LAX – and so not a lot of people were jumping online anyway.

I reckon it'll come, but first things first.

 

[Timtammi]

In my inbox this morning, email from Lesley Grant:

Members can also look forward to high-speed inflight Wi-Fi under a partnership with global technology services company ViaSat that will tap into the National Broadband Network. In-flight trials are expected to begin in late 2016. A roll-out across Qantas Domestic’s fleet of A330s and B737s is planned from the start of 2017. Delivering value for money to our customers is extremely important to us. That’s why we’ll be offering free Wi-Fi access on top of all the other things that are included when you fly Qantas.

 

[RooFlyer]

Apparently there was "no demand".

... no demand at the price they were charging, even in First Class !

It's being considered as part of the ViaSat program, but domestic is arguably the low-hanging fruit. Qantas trials of A380 Internet access on the SYD-LAX and MEL-LAX routes had 5% take-up rate, some say cruelled simply by lack of promotion, but a major factor was that must of those flights are overnight – virtually so ex-Syd and ex-MEL, literally so ex-LAX – and so not a lot of people were jumping online anyway.
<snip>

See above!

<snip>
I reckon it'll come, but first things first.

Sure, first things first like properly working Priority Boarding, properly working Priority baggage, a decent web site, consistent in flight service, consistent lounge experience, getting lounge staff to know the lounge access rules, stop ripping us off with high fuel levies built into the base fare ...

From the QF news release, quoting the CEO:

“This kind of inflight connectivity would also open up a lot of potential to improve in-flight entertainment, which we’re constantly looking to enhance.

Sure, my in flight film will certainly be enhanced by having to rely on a satellite signal rather than via hardwire on board.

Sound slike simpler and fairer[SUP]TM[/SUP] IFE coming up.

 

[russ]

Apparently, AJ is going to roll it out first on RedQ

 

[serfty]

As this is domestic only is there any reason they'd need to be limited to satellite connections over places like the east coast. I can get decent mobile service all the way out to Woomera these days. Surely there would be suitable terrestrial based options in many locations.

This link provided by moa999 on another thread should answer some of those questions:

Some technical detail about the WiFi solution

UPDATE 2: ViaSat wins connectivity deal for Qantas domestic & Asia | Runway Girl Network

Under an MOU brokered between the two parties, Qantas has selected ViaSat’s Ka-band antenna for its Boeing 737-800 and the hybrid Ku-Ka antenna — an Asia-Pacific first — for its Airbus A330-200 fleet, which flies both domestically and internationally.

The hybrid connectivity will enable these aircraft to use both the Australian National Broadband Network’s (NBN’s) Sky Muster high-capacity Ka-band satellites, which are clustered around the more highly populated eastern coast of Australia, and the additional capacity offered by Ku-band satellites on the A330s’ routes into numerous Asian hubs.
...

...

 

[drewbles]

Interesting to see what this service cost Qantas as sat services are not cheap...

It depends on what kind of satellite. If you're talking your own transponder space, yeah then you're talking in the hundreds of thousands. If you're sharing space, it's significantly less. They're talking 'NBN in the skies' so I'd not be surprised to see a deal being done to bring this in cheaply.

Regardless, the latency will be a killer for some apps.

 

[drewbles]

Apparently there was "no demand".

At $30 for 5mb or whatever it was, there was never going to be demand

 

[Ausbt]

I hate the idea of some bozo blabbering away next to me. "Hi". "I'm on the plane". "I'll be home at 7"...over and over again. Even worse people talking to their young kids, I can't stand it now on trains. Noise-cancelling headphone sales are going to go through the roof. I think there should be designated quiet-zones.

 

[drewbles]

I hate the idea of some bozo blabbering away next to me. "Hi". "I'm on the plane". "I'll be home at 7"...over and over again. Even worse people talking to their young kids, I can't stand it now on trains. Noise-cancelling headphone sales are going to go through the roof. I think there should be designated quiet-zones.

It's not as much of an issue as you think, at least in the USA. The initial 'ZOMG there's internet in the sky' wears off very very quickly. It's also likely that they'll block Skype and other such services, and whilst it's very possible to run VoIP applications over non-standard ports, the number of people who would be doing should be basically non-existant.

Latency will also all but eliminate any kind of usability. They're talking up to 900msec thanks to sat up/down/up/down for communications.

 

[Ausbt]

It's also likely that they'll block Sype and other such services

Let's hope so. With cabin noise I would imagine intending users would need decent headphones/mics to communicate but those that don't will likely be yelling into their phones.

 

[JohnK]

With 15MB oneccan browse AFF for 30-40 minutes quite easily.