Gogo's inflight Wi-Fi is on the verge of rolling out a new system that will allow the user to send and receive text messages and phone calls while up in the air. You can call this having the ability to make inflight calls and text over Wi-Fi, which is quite amazing. Calls and texts via Gogo's new Text and Call service is restricted only to the Android and iOS app, so those with a Windows Phone 8 or Windows 8 devices are out of luck.
Furthermore, calls and texts will be made using the user's very own phone number so nothing will change for the folks who contact you. At the moment, the new service isn't yet available on any commercial flights. However, it recently launched with a few "business aviation customers."
The company, however, is working on having its new service available on some commercial flights by the first quarter of 2014. The company shouldn't have much difficulties expanding its text service into commercial flights as it won't need to install any new equipment. Any plane that's been already 'Gogo-ized' can offer the new feature to its passengers.
"Gogo Text & Talk is just one more way Gogo is keeping airline passengers connected to their lives on the ground," said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo's chief marketing officer. "While we see this as more of a text messaging product for commercial airlines in the United States, the phone functionality is something that some international air carriers and our business aviation customers are asking for."
While Gogo's new Text and Call service seems interesting, users won't have the option to use services such as Skype so you might want to give up that idea now.
Gogo has yet to release any form of pricing for its new Text and Call service. However, the company plans to launch its new service in the U.S. as a separate package from its current internet connectivity plans. If everything goes well, then in the future the Text and Call package could be bundled with other packages.
One thing to note - Gogo's Text and Call service will only work under 10,000 feet in the air. Bear that in mind, whenever the service is made available.
