Satelite-based in-flight mobile phone service fails to impress

Interesting to read on The Register that the introduction by Air France of the new OnAir satellite-based mobile phone service - which lets you use your normal mobile phone on board the plane - seems not to be impressing customers so far.   Bill Ray reports:

"Air France has started to allow passengers to make voice calls on its flights, though the first passengers are unimpressed by the quality of the service."

Last year I commented on the demise of the Connexion by Boeing service.   This service failed despite being relatively low cost and working very well technically.   I suspect that if the reported problems cannot be ironed out of the OnAir system then it might be rather difficult to gain user approval and takeup of the service.

I've not seen yet any reports about the in-flight internet service also offered as part of the OnAir service, but for me this is the more attractive element of the package.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to fly on an OnAir-equipped flight soon, so I'll be able to experience the service first hand.