Nok to offer Wi-Fi on flights

BANGKOK : National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) recently gave the green light to Nok Air to offer inflight Wi-Fi services.
NBTC deputy general secretary, Korkij Danchaivichit, said the telecom committee, last week, granted a five-year licence to low-fare carrier Nok Air to offer Wi-Fi services on its flights and at airports.
“Nok Air said it would like to expand its services and hopes to add more regional services…the airline must start providing Wi-Fi and voice call services on board flights within one year after receiving approval.”
The Type 1 licence is valid for five years and is for operators with no telecom network of their own. The licence fee is 0.25% of total revenue plus another 3.75% for a universal service obligation fee.
The service is a collaboration with Thaicom Plc, the SET-listed satellite communications service provider and Global Eagle Entertainment Inc, a US-based provider of satellite-based inflight Wi-Fi and device-based entertainment.
Nok Air is the second airline after Thai Airways International to gain a permit.
THAI received the Wi-Fi license from the Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) 7 January this year and began the THAI Sky Connect service 14 February on selected aircraft that have the capability to host WiFi systems.
Wi-Fi internet connectivity is available on THAI’s six Airbus A380-800 aircraft and THAI’s seven Airbus A330-300 aircraft that operate flights to Perth, Taipei, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Osaka.
The service is not widely used by passengers as fees are high.
The service enables passengers to use their laptop, tablets or smart phone to connect to the Internet during flights. Service fee are payable both credit card and debit card.
TG prices for Wi-Fi use:
Smart Phone Package
3 MB = US$4.50
10 MB = US$14.50
Laptop/iPad Package
10 MB = US$14.50
20 MB = US$28.50
Access ends when MB download exceed quota.

Sourced: ttrweekly