Don’t laugh; I’ve seen my ISPs webmail blocked.

answers from SWA powers that be:
http://blogsouthwest.com/blog/onboard-broadband-internet

Hi Everyone -

Thanks so much for all of your comments. We are very excited about this announcement and look forward to bringing you the best inflight broadband solution available as soon as possible.

In answer to some of your questions above:
- Yes VOIP will be blocked. Everyone will have full access to e-mail and instant messenger which, in my opinion, are much better SILENT options than yacking into a microphone.
- Inappropriate content will be dealt with in the same manner as it is today – (i.e. if someone is watching a highly inappropriate movie on a laptop or cudding loudly on a flight). Our FAs are highly trained to deal with those situations.
- I can’t comment on the seat power but, to Brian’s point, we did enhance the gate areas with new seating and power stations so that everyone has a chance to juice up their devices before takeoff.
- We also haven’t said what will be charged for this service but please know that it will definitely be in line with our low cost model. We want to bring you exceptional value and a great high-speed internet experience.

Keep the comments and suggestions coming!

Angela Vargo — Thu, 01/24/2008 – 15:33

Thanks for all of the suggestions and input. We are very excited to begin testing broadband onboard our flights.

There are alot of details still to be worked out, and keep in mind this is a test. Not only will we be proving out and testing the technology, but also how the service will be integrated within our Marketing, Operations and Customer Service.

- At this point we are not looking at installing power to the seats. Adding power outlets significantly increases the cost and complexity of the system. Some of these costs are associated with additional weight of the system, installation and ongoing maintenance costs, in addition to the cost of the system.

- As mentioned above, we will be filtering traffic to inappropriate sites. I would expect an experience similar to using the internet in a public place such as a library.

- VOIP will be blocked.

Most of the technical details have been worked out and are ready for testing. The big tasks now are the finishing the engineering related to certification and installation. Over the next few months, we will also be working out the Customer Service details.

Stay tuned for updates on our progress!

Doug Murri – Sr. Manager Flight Operations Technologies — Fri, 01/25/2008 – 16:03

I use https://www.nbxi.com

The URL actually changes every few months too since many restricted companies will block anonymizers, but they take a bit to catch up to new ones.

When the Denver airport introduced free wi-fi last year they had (and have) many critics denouncing their restrictions, as like a library it was financed by the public. People pointed out the double standard in that magazines sold at the kiosks and stores already carry X-rated content.

But an airline’s policies are a different story – and less easily swayed.

JetBlue actually hasn’t said a word about expanding to more planes, but they have expanded the offering, as you can see here:
http://investor.jetblue.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=131045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1162394&highlight=

I haven’t heard a peep about Southwest…it seems like they’re keeping it under wraps well. Do you know how the progress is going?

How about JetBlue’s wi-fi service? Are they going to expand it to more planes? And will they do a more full/robust wi-fi service more than yahoo e-mail/blackberries?