Wi-Fi

Lobby Bar – June 14: Medical Advances, Incognito Airlines, and Technologically Advanced Mexican Food

Lobby Bar – June 14:  Medical Advances, Incognito Airlines, and Technologically Advanced Mexican Food

The Lobby Bar – A Weekly Summary of Frequent Business Traveler News and Views
Big babies.  We’re kicking off our second annual air travel pet peeves poll.  What’s worse than having to tell the brats behind you to stop making a racket?  The fact that they’re full grown adults.
An Apple a day keeps the doctor away.  Apple updated its MacBook Air lineup with all-day battery life, and introduced iOS7, its newest …

Lobby Bar – May 17: Goldilocks, Green Eggs & Ham, Rock and Roll Bands, and the Tortoise and the Hare

Lobby Bar – May 17: Goldilocks, Green Eggs & Ham, Rock and Roll Bands, and the Tortoise and the Hare

The Lobby Bar – A Weekly Summary of Frequent Business Traveler News and Views
I can’t get no satisfaction. How satisfied are you with your frequent flyer programs?  The Rolling Stones suitably preferred Flintstones cars over air travel, but their frequent rollers program wasn’t listed.
Jonathan Spira and the Three Wines. Jonathan flies in American’s first class Flagship Suite aboard a Boeing 777-300ER.  He even completed a wine tasting in the air. …

Amtrak Introduces Faster On-Board Wi-Fi

Amtrak Introduces Faster On-Board Wi-Fi

Amtrak said it is upgrading its on-board internet service and improving overall reliability.  To accomplish this, the AmtrakConnect service has implemented 4G mobile data service from multiple mobile operators, giving passengers speedier Wi-Fi.
The faster service is now available on Acela Express, Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner, and San Joaquin service trains.  Amtrak plans to make the AmtrakConnect upgraded service available on all Wi-Fi equipped trains by late summer.
The Wi-Fi service was …

XCom Global 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot – Review

XCom Global 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot – Review

Many travelers spend part of their trip searching for a Wi-Fi hotspot instead of enjoying the sights.  In the past few years, I’ve become accustomed to having Wi-Fi everywhere I go in the U.S because my 4G smartphone (currently an iPhone 5) functions as a hotspot.
I do this for two reasons: convenience and security.  Using your own portable hotspot is far more secure than a random open Wi-Fi signal (even …

FCC Moves to Introduce High-Speed In-Flight Internet

FCC Moves to Introduce High-Speed In-Flight Internet

The Federal Communications Commission moved to establish a multi-gigabit in-flight Internet service using newly–available airwaves in the 14.0-14.5 GHz band on Thursday.    The proposal, based largely on a petition from Qualcomm first made in 2011, would involve the creation of 150 ground stations which would beam Internet signals up to aircraft.
In its petition, Qualcomm cited the explosion in mobile broadband usage, noting that the use of mobile is “now an …

Boingo Expands European Network

Boingo Expands European Network

Boingo Wireless announced an agreement with Gowex to expand its network access.  Boingo customers will cow have access to 1,400 additional Gowex  hotspots in over 50 cities in Spain, France, Ireland, and Belgium.
Major cities that Boingo customers can now access Gowex hotspots include Barcelona, Sevilla, Paris, Marseille, and Dublin.  In Barcelona, users will have access to the Wi-Fi on public transportations routes, including over 40 buses, while in Paris, it …

AT&T and Boingo Enter Into Wi-Fi Roaming Agreement

AT&T and Boingo Enter Into Wi-Fi Roaming Agreement

AT&T and Boingo announced a partnership and roaming agreement that will allow both companies’ customers to access the other company’s Wi-Fi network when traveling.
AT&T customers with select data packages can now enjoy Boingo Wi-Fi Internet around the globe at no additional cost.   Those who subscribe to either 300 MB or 800 MB AT&T Global Add-On package can install the AT&T Wi-Fi international app and gain access to  1 GB of …