Learn how to access the internet during flights

Since the end of 2010, Brazilian airlines FULL e Gol offer passengers the possibility to connect to Internet during flight. So far, TAM offers the service on 31 aircraft and Gol on 48, but with some differences in relation to the type of network available.

The service offered by Gol is an intranet network via Wi-Fi, closed and free, which has only Abril and Globo contents that are automatically updated at each landing at the airports.

TAM's system is wider and offers satellite connection to a GPRS network. Passengers can access any online content such as text messages, email and phone calls made by up to eight people at the same time. For data and SMS sending, there are no restrictions.

How to use

At Gol, the passenger needs to put his device in airplane mode, activate the Wi-Fi as soon as the use of electronic devices is authorized and select the “Gol no Ar” network.

If you are on a TAM aircraft, you must wait until the aircraft is at a height of XNUMX feet, when a warning light identifying the network will go out. Then, it is necessary to wait three minutes for the network location, when the name of the mobile operator will be replaced by “OnAir” on the display, and you will be connected.

Risks

According to the assistant coordinator of the electrical engineering course at Anhembi Morumbi, Alberto Antônio de Souza, although a wireless connection implies the emission of radiofrequency, the service does not pose any risks to the flight.

“The probability of interference in the communication between the aircraft and the tower is very small because cell phones and internet networks operate on different frequencies than the transmission towers. In addition, the aircraft have shields against interference,” he said.

TAM's press office informed that its system blocks the cellular signal external to the aircraft. In this way, the phones operate in an environment with controlled power and frequencies and pose no risk.

All aircraft with this system undergo an analysis by Anac (National Civil Aviation Agency) to provide access to the network on flights.

Stephani Pires Scatolini | ppgad@pucrs.br