Wireless G, Mango, Vodacom launch in-flight Wi-Fi

In a first for South Africa, Wireless G together with low-cost airline Mango and Vodacom have launched G-Connect, an in-flight Wi-Fi service. G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi enables passengers to access to the internet from 30, 000 feet in the air.
The new service, compatible with most Wi-Fi enabled devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops, allows for full Internet connectivity on board Mango flights around the country, including sending and receiving emails, web browsing and the use of all social networks. However, data-heavy services like YouTube will not be allowed. An air-to-land SMS service, that will be managed through a web service, will also be available.
Mango CEO Nico Bezuidenhout says that “œIn a highly competitive market where everything tastes like chicken, it‘s important to taste like beef. Innovation is a cornerstone of our business along with sustained affordable fares that are relative to the prevailing market.“
“The G-Connect In-Flight Wi-Fi service is offered in a totally new, integrated model and it’s regarded as a carrier-grade telecommunications access medium“, said Wireless G CEO, Carel van der Merwe. “œSocial networks and the tsunami of next generation Wi-Fi enabled devices and the related converged eco-systems makes in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity more relevant. Moreover, the specific way in which it is offered as an integrated telecommunications internet access medium, is essential for our future plans,“ said van der Merwe.

Vodacom will be providing the satellite infrastructure for the service, ensuring that the G-Connect service will keep passengers connected even as they travel at over 800km/h.
As far as pricing goes, there are three packages available, offering unlimited data use during the specified time:

  • One-Way Access priced at R50 per single sector flight.
  •  A One Day pass available at R90, irrespective of the number of flights completed during a 20 hour period.
  • A per-minute option, billed through G-Connect online account, offers land and air convergence at R1 per minute.

G-Connect says that the service will be monitored continually with real-time support available to users.
Are you excited about the launch of the new in-flight wi-fi service?