Latest Nokia 5800 XpressMusic hits it off

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is no longer lurking behind corners as the curtains lifted today in London and Singapore on the first S60 full-touch device by Nokia. While most of the specs were given away well in advance, it's exciting to take a closer look at the touch OS. We had a taste of it back at the WMC in Barcelona and it tasted sweet.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

Two homescreen add-ons do sound intriguing. With the Media Bar music, media and online content are a fingertip away. The Contacts Bar provide enhanced touch-based handling of contacts, including setting favorites, logging calls, texts and recent communication.

The touch-optimized handset comes complete with a stylus too, and for all who are about to frown at that, there's a plectrum-shaped alternative. The other controls are kept to the bare minimum. Below the massive touchscreen there's three-key combo along the lines of Pixon and Renoir, to name a few recent headliners. The home key (so long, Symbian key) is flanked by the Call and End knobs.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic

For those who migh have missed the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic leaks, the first S60 touchscreen handset packs a 3.2" screen of the exciting widescreen resolution of 640 x 360 pixels. A 3.2 megapixel autofocus shooter and VGA video at 30 fps are the imaging assets. There's quad-band GSM support and 3G with HSDPA. Some of the other extras include: GPS, 3.5mm standard audio jack, TV-out and a microSD card slot. An ambitious music offering, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic will come with 8GB microSD card in the retail package and stereo surround speakers.

Nokia 5800 XpressMusic lifestyle shots

To give you an idea of what the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic feels and looks like, we can also share several videos. This first one previews the device in short.

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 2100 / 900
		HSDPA 850 / 1900 - US version
	Announced	2008, October
	Status	Coming soon. Exp. release 2008, 4Q

Size	Dimensions	111 x 51.7 x 15.5 mm, 83 cc
	Weight	109 g

Display	Type	TFT touchscreen, 16M colors
	Size	360 x 640 pixels, 3.2 inches
		- Proximity sensor for auto turn-off - Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate - Handwriting recognition

Ringtones	Type	Polyphonic (64 channels), MP3
	Customization	Download
	Vibration	Yes
		- Stereo speakers

Memory	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Detailed, max 30 days
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash), up to 16GB, 8GB included
		- 81 MB internal memory - 128 MB SDRAM memory - ARM 11 369 MHz CPU

Data	GPRS	Class 32
	HSCSD	Yes
	EDGE	Class 32
	3G	HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0 microUSB

Features	OS	Symbian OS v9.4, Series 60 rel. 5
	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, RSS feeds
	Games	Yes + Java downloadable
	Colors	Black, Red, Blue
	Camera	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, video(VGA@30fps), flash; secondary videocall camera
		- Built-in GPS receiver - A-GPS support - Nokia Maps 2.0 Touch - Java MIDP 2.0 - MP3/WMA/WAV/eAAC+ player - MPEG4/WMV/3gp video player - Stereo FM radio with RDS - TV out - 3.5 mm audio output jack - Voice command/dial - Document viewer - T9 - Photo editor - Built-in handsfree

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1320 mAh(BL-5J)
	Stand-by	Up to 406 h
	Talk time	Up to 8 h 45 min

GrameenPhone New Call Tariff for it's Pre-Paid Users

New Tariff For Pre-Paid
The country's largest prepaid subscriber base will enjoy freedom of communication like never before.

From March 24, 2008, a whole new array of attractive tariff rates will be applicable for all smile and djuice subscribers. F&F and night-time rates as low as 25 paisa/min, and extended day-time are some of the key highlights of this new offer.

Details of the new tariff rates are as below:

For smile

• smile will enjoy Tk.1.50/min tariff while calling any GP numbers in all hours other than night-time
• smile will enjoy Tk.0.25/min during 12-7 am for GP-GP calls
• smile off-net tariff (to other networks) will be Tk.2/min
• smile will enjoy Tk.0.25/min on 3 F&F numbers 24 hours a day
• SMS tariff (to any mobile) will be Tk.1/sms

For djuice

• djuice will enjoy Tk.0.25/min during 12am to 7am for calls to any GP/djuice number
• djuice tariff for calling other networks will be Tk.2 /min
• djuice will enjoy Tk.0.25/min on 2 F&F numbers 24 hours a day
• djuice SMS tariff will be Tk.0.75/sms to any mobile

Currently smile and djuice subscribers, upon usage of Tk.100 in first 30 days, enjoy 35 paisa/min tariff to F&F numbers for up to 100 min (smile M-M and djuice)/ 200 min (smile BTTB) over a period of 90 days. Due to the even lower F&F rates of Tk.0.25/min, the "F&F calls @ 35 paisa/min," offer will no longer be applicable for subscribers who will purchase the connection on or after 24 March 2008.

smile and djuice subscribers will also get 30 second pulse throughout from now on.

These tariff offers are valid until further notice.

Samsung i8510 INNOV8 came with 16 GB Hard Drive and 8 Mega Pixel Camera

General -2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network -HSDPA 2100 / 900
Announced -2008, July
Status Available -Released 2008, September
Size Dimensions -106.5 x 53.9 x 17.2 mm
Weight 140 g
Display -Type TFT, 16M colors
Size -240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches
- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
- Optical Mouse
Ringtones -Type Polyphonic, MP3
Customization -Download
Vibration -Yes
- Stereo speakers
Memory -Phonebook Practically unlimited entries and fields
Call records -Practically unlimited
Card slot -microSD (TransFlash), up to 8GB
- 8/16 GB internal memory
- 128 MB RAM
Data -GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD -No
EDGE -Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G -HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
WLAN -Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA
Bluetooth -Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port -No
USB -Yes, v2.0, microUSB
Features -OS Symbian OS v9.3, Series 60 rel. 3.2
Messaging -SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM
Browser -WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Games -FIFA 2008, Asphalt + downloadable, order now
Colors -Black
Camera -8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, image stabiliser, video(VGA@30fps,
QVGA@120fps), flash; secondary videocall camera
- Built-in GPS receiver
- A-GPS function
- Camera geo-tagging, auto-panorama shot, face, smile and blink detection
- Business card scanner
- DivX/H.263/H.264/WMV/MP4 player
- Video editing
- MP3/eAAC+/WMA/AMR/RealAudio player
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- TV out functionality
- Java MIDP 2.0
- FM radio with RDS
- Organizer
- Built-in handsfree
- Voice memo/dial
Battery -Standard battery, Li-Ion 1200 mAh
Stand -by Up to 310 h
Talk time -Up to 8 h 30 min

New Samsung M8800 Pixon with 8 Mega Pixel Camera

General 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 2100
Announced 2008, September
Status Coming soon. Exp. release 2008, October
Size Dimensions 107.9 x 54.6 x 13.8 mm
Weight 121 g
Display Type TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
Size 240 x 400 pixels, 3.2 inches
- Accelerometer sensor
Ringtones Type Polyphonic, MP3
Customization Download
Vibration Yes
Memory Phonebook 1000 contacts, Photo call
Call records Yes
Card slot microSD (TransFlash), up to 8GB
- 200 MB internal memory
Data GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
HSCSD No
EDGE Class 10, 236.8 kbps
3G HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
WLAN No
Bluetooth Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
Infrared port No
USB Yes, v2.0, microUSB
Features Messaging SMS, MMS, Email
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
Games 5 + Downloadable
Colors Black
Camera 8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, video(WVGA@30fps, QVGA@120fps), flash; secondary videocall camera
- Built-in GPS receiver
- A-GPS function
- Camera geo-tagging, auto-panorama shot, face, smile and blink detection, advanced shake reduction
- DivX/XviD/H.263/H.264/WMV/MP4 player
- MP3/eAAC+/WMA/AMR player
- SRS (Surround Sound System) Virtual 5.1CH
- TV out functionality
- Java MIDP 2.0
- FM radio with RDS
- Organizer
- Office document viewer
- Built-in handsfree
- Voice memo/dial
Battery Standard battery, Li-Ion 1000 mAh
Stand-by Up to 290 h
Talk time Up to 3 h 40 min

Post Paid Package giving One Second Pulse

GrameenPhone: Grameen Post paid package are giving one second pulse facilities for calling any operator except F&F calls.For calling any fnf numbers 60 second pulse applicable.

Banglalink: Banglalink Post paid SME package are giving one second pulse for calling any operator.
For corporate users: For calling Banglalink to Banglalink one second pulse applicable.But for calling Banglalink to other operator,1st pulse 30 second than 15 second pulse onwards.

Aktel: Aktel are giving one second pulse only in UDDOKTA post paid/pre paid.

Warid Telecom: Warid gives one second pulse in only Prepaid '01 Second Package' and in Zahi Royal Post paid package.

Teletalk: Teletalk are giving one second pulse in its all post paid connection and also in 'Shapla Prepaid' connection.

Mobile Company in Bangladesh

GrameenPhone
Banglalink
Aktel
Warid Telecom
CityCell
Teletalk

Banglalink Post-Paid Package with Low Call Rate

Packages >> Postpaid

banglalink enterprise - your link to growth enterprise personal packages banglalink constantly strives to provide you the best service at the most affordable price. You can now choose the appropriate package based on your need and usage pattern. benefits of personal packages: Lowest call charges 1 second pulse Up to 5 FnF to any mobile operator with a very low tariff 20% bonus on incoming calls Up to 15% monthly loyalty discount on airtime Up to 2 supplementary connection with very low group talk rate Low monthly line rent, which is waived based on usage Hassle free bill payment through i' top up economy ISD call charges (012) to 55 countries GPRS and MMS service International Roaming International SMS Smart services like Amar Tune, Power Menu, Missed Call Alert, News Alert, Yellow Pages, and many more You can choose from the following three personal packages based on your need and usage pattern: personal package 1 Provides you the lowest call rates Waiver of monthly fee if usage is greater than Tk.500 (without VAT) Duplicating mobile number facility Up to 2 supplementary connections with attractive group talk rate 10 MB GPRS & Miss call alert FREE (monthly) 20% bonus on incoming Up to 15 % loyalty discount personal supplementary Low package price at zero deposit Group talk plan FREE GPRS Low monthly line rent All attractive benefits of personal package 1 Single bill and shared credit limit personal call & control Usage through recharging scratch card/i'top up Lowest monthly fees Helps you keep your usage within your control Call charges: *Monthly fee is waived if airtime usage is greater than Tk.500 (without VAT) in a month FnF number can be any mobile number of banglalink or other mobile operators All call rates are in BDT/min and VAT exclusive Conditions apply personal package customers can enjoy loyalty discount every month based on monthly usage and length of stay with banglalink. This means the longer you have been with banglalink the higher the discount you will receive. The loyalty discount is our way of expressing gratitude towards you, because your loyalty means that banglalink is your preferred and trusted mobile operator. You can enjoy the discount every month as mentioned in the following table: Length of stay with banglalink Monthly outgoing voice calls (Excluding T&T charge, Roaming & VAT) Tk. 401-1500 Tk. 1501-3000 Tk. 3001+ More than 2 years 10% 12% 15% More than 1 year, Less than 2 years 8% 10% 12% Less than 1 year 7% 8% 10% A customer's length of stay with banglalink will be calculated based on the date of activation of service with banglalink. For personal package 1 customers, the discount amount will be adjusted with the monthly bill. For personal call & control customers, amount equivalent to the discount will be uploaded every month to their account. Fore more details, please call banglalink care-line at 122 or 01911-304122

New LG KB770 with 3.15 Mega Pixel Camera

General	2G Network	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 2100
	Announced	2008, September
	Status	Coming soon

Size	Dimensions	108 x 54 x 13 mm
	Weight	109 g

Display	Type	TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
	Size	240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches
		- Flash UI - Downloadable wallpapers

Ringtones	Type	Polyphonic, MP3
	Customization	Composer, Download
	Vibration	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	Yes, Photocall
	Call records	40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash), up to 8GB
		- 100 MB built-in memory

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	Yes
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
	WLAN	No
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Features	Messaging	SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Black
	Camera	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, video(QVGA), secondary videocall camera
		- DVB-H TV receiver - TV-out - Java MIDP 2.0 - MP3/MPEG4/DivX/Xvid player - Organiser - Document viewer (DOC, XLS, PDF) - Voice memo - Built-in handsfree - T9

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1000 mAh
	Stand-by	Up to 300 h
	Talk time	Up to 4 h

New LG KC910 Renoir with 8 Mega Pixel Camera

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 2100
	Announced	2008, August
	Status	Coming soon. Exp. release 2008, October

Size	Dimensions	107.8 x 55.9 x 14 mm
	Weight	114 g

Display	Type	TFT touchscreen, 256K colors
	Size	240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches
		- Flash UI - Downloadable wallpapers

Ringtones	Type	Polyphonic, MP3
	Customization	Composer, Download
	Vibration	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	Yes, Photocall
	Call records	40 dialed, 40 received, 40 missed calls
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash), up to 8GB

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Yes
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Features	Messaging	SMS, EMS, MMS, Email
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Black
	Camera	8 MP, 3264x2448 pixels, autofocus, video(VGA 30fps, QVGA up to 120fps), xenon flash; secondary VGA videocall camera
		- Built-in GPS with aGPS function - Camera geo-tagging, face, smile and blink detection - Java MIDP 2.0 - MP3/MPEG4/AAC/DivX/Xvid player - Organiser - Document viewer (DOC, XLS, PDF) - TV-out - Voice memo - Built-in handsfree - T9

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion
	Stand-by
	Talk time

PDA Cell Phone-O2 XDA Stellar

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
	Announced	2007, November
	Status	Coming soon

Size	Dimensions	112 x 59 x 18.6 mm
	Weight	190 g

Display	Type	TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
	Size	240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches
		- Handwriting recognition - QWERTY keyboard

Ringtones	Type	Polyphonic (72 channels), MP3
	Customization	Download
	Vibration	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Practically unlimited
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash)
		- 128 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM - Qualcomm MSM7200, 400 Mhz processor

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Class 10, 236.8 kbps
	3G	HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0

Features	OS	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
	Browser	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE)
	Games	Yes
	Colors	Silver
	Camera	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, video; secondary VGA videocall camera
		- Built-in GPS receiver - A-GPS function - Video call - Pocket Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF viewer) - Business card reader - Java MIDP 2.0 - Voice memo - Media Player 10 - Video/audio album - Built-in handsfree

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Ion 1350 mAh
	Stand-by	Up to 365 h
	Talk time	Up to 5 h

Warid offers Zem prepaid connection at Tk99

Update: 22 September, 2008
Mobile phone operator Warid Telecom is offering its 'Zem' prepaid connection at Tk 99 with Tk 50 welcome talk-time, said a statement.

All new Zem subscribers will also enjoy a 20 percent special bonus talk-time for recharging their account first time after purchase of the connection. The bonus talk-time can be used for making calls to other operators.

Moreover, the subscribers will be allowed to add five numbers of any mobile operators as 'FnF' to enjoy reduced call rate to talk with friends and family members.

The new Zem prepaid connections are available at all business centres, franchisees, corporate sales points and designated sales points of Warid Telecom.

Warid Telecom, a subsidiary of UAE-based Abu Dhabi Group, launched its commercial operation in Bangladesh in May 10, 2007 as the country's sixth mobile phone operator. Within one year, the company became the fourth largest operator by acquiring nearly 3.5 million subscribers through spreading its network to all the 64 districts.

New Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1

General	2G Network	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
	3G Network	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
	Announced	2008, February
	Status	Coming soon

Size	Dimensions	110.5 x 52.6 x 17 mm
	Weight	145 g

Display	Type	TFT touchscreen, 65K colors
	Size	800 x 480 pixels, 3.0 inches
		- Full QWERTY keyboard - Optical joystick navigation

Ringtones	Type	Polyphonic, MP3
	Customization	Composer, download
	Vibration	Yes

Memory	Phonebook	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Call records	Practically unlimited
	Card slot	microSD (TransFlash)
		- 400 MB internal memory - 256MB RAM, 512MB storage memory - Qualcomm MSM7200 528MHz processor

Data	GPRS	Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
	HSCSD	No
	EDGE	Yes
	3G	HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
	Bluetooth	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	Infrared port	No
	USB	Yes, v2.0 miniUSB

Features	OS	Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
	Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Push E-Mail, IM
	Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (IE), RSS feeds
	Games	Yes + downloadable
	Colors	Solid Black, Steel Silver
	Camera	3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels, autofocus, video(VGA@30fps), flash; secondary videocall camera
		- Built-in GPS receiver - A-GPS function - Java MIDP 2.0 - FM radio with RDS - MP3/AAC/MPEG4 player - 3.5 mm audio jack - Pocket Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, PDF viewer) - TrackID music recognition - Picture editor/blogging - Organiser - T9 - Built-in handsfree - Voice memo/dial

Battery		Standard battery, Li-Po 1500 mAh (BST-41)
	Stand-by	Up to 833 h
	Talk time	Up to 10 h

AKTEL goes fully foreign-owned

Update: 21 September, 2008
AKTEL becomes a 100 percent foreign-owned company as Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo acquires a 30 percent local stake in the company for $350million, according to Bernama.com, Malaysia's official news agency.

AKTEL is now third foreign- owned company after Egypt- based Banglalink and UAE- based Warid.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury welcomed the NTT's entrance in Bangladesh. "This deal will enhance bilateral relations with Japan," he said.

Prior to NTT's acquisition, AKTEL, Bangladesh's third largest mobile operator, operated as a joint venture company of Malaysia's Telekom Malaysia International (TMI) and AK Khan and Co, a local firm. TMI owns a 70 percent stake in the company.

According to the news report, TMI in a statement on Friday said DOCOMO has completed its purchase of 30 percent stake in TMIB, TMI's mobile telephony company in Bangladesh under the brand name AKTEL, by acquiring all issued and paid-up shares of TMIB held by AK Khan & Co.

"We are excited at the prospect of working with DoCoMo whose wealth of expertise will bring a new perspective as well as invaluable dimension to TMIB," TMI President Datuk Jamaludin Ibrahim was quoted as saying in the news report.

Black & Decker CPI100B 100 Watt Laptop Power To Go Cordless AC/USB Power Supply

Want more juice for your portable devices. From laptop to the power hungry iPhone or iPod. This lightweight and compact powerful battery come equipped with both AC & USB outlets allowing you to power and/or recharge a variety of mobile devices while on the go. No special adapters needed, one Power To Go does it all. Like a portable outlet, Power To Go is a cordless, rechargeable power supply that meets the busy pace of your life - anywhere and everywhere!

Features

• Powers & recharges person electronics
• Supplies portable AC & USB power to mobile electronics
• No adapters needed, plug your charger in and power on the go
• Provides up to 9 hours of extended runtime
• Compact & portable power supply anytime & anywhere

Black & Decker CPI100B 100 Watt Laptop Power To Go Cordless AC/USB Power Supply

Internet in the Sky: Surf but Don’t Call

“THE nice thing about a long-haul flight is you’ve got time to do a lot of different things,” said Jack Blumenstein, the chief executive of Aircell.

True. You can read. You can watch the movie or, on a few airlines, enjoy live satellite television. You can work, eat, drink or sleep. And now, thanks to new technology by Aircell, you can get broadband Internet service on your laptop.

But one thing you may not do is use that Internet hookup for VoIP, the voice over Internet protocol services provided by companies like Skype. In other words, you may not use your newly empowered laptop connection in flight to make a voice phone call, even though the technological capability to do so is there.

Reflecting the continuing battles over cellphone use in other public settings, Aircell and American Airlines — so far the only airline offering Aircell’s in-flight Internet access, called Gogo — have erected technological barriers to block Skype and similar software programs from enabling voice calls in the insulated environment of the airplane cabin. American Airlines began offering Gogo last month.

Whether they ultimately succeed is open to question because, as Mr. Blumenstein acknowledges, the technologically savvy are good at getting around barriers.

“Whenever you get an innovative group of people flying,” he said, “you’re going to have some people saying: ‘Well, I know how to defeat that. I’m just going to go around the barn door.’ ”

For years, airlines and many of their passengers have expressed concern about the inevitability of in-flight cellphone capability, now that flight safety issues like the potential for interference with avionics communications at cruising altitude are resolved.

But with little advance notice, the Aircell broadband service has brought the camel’s nose into the tent. And while there are raging controversies about cellphone use on ground-based public transportation like trains and buses, imagine how much more intense the concern becomes in an airplane cabin, where passengers are confined, often for long hours, in close proximity, unable to flee.

Worried about the in-flight equivalent of road rage, airlines have been less than enthusiastic about any form of voice-call capability.

Jeff Gendel, who works in private equity, was e-mailing via his broadband connection last week on an American flight to Los Angeles from New York, where he lives. He said that before signing on, he asked a Gogo customer agent on the flight about using Skype and was told that he had to limit himself to instant-messaging.

“The Internet and instant-message access is a huge and overdue step forward in travel productivity,” he said, adding, “I think the jury is still out on phone conversations at 30,000 feet.”

Mr. Blumenstein and others point out that there are no regulatory rules prohibiting VoIP use at 38,000 feet over the Great Plains. The objection and the ban are strictly over social concerns, he said. But if passengers are found using voice capabilities on Aircell’s service, “we can exercise the right to turn your access off,” Mr. Blumenstein said.

The idea of having legal voice-communications capabilities and not being able to use them does not sit well with many people. It’s a hot topic on many technology blogs.

Airlines should allow voice calls, at least for business travelers, one woman posting on Computerworld.com said, adding that she thought businesspeople could be counted on to use the service in a “respectful, quiet manner.”

But that optimism isn’t shared by others who assert that, as a blogger elsewhere put it, “these Type-A business people are the worst in bellowing on their cellphones.” Another comment on Computerworld.com supported the in-flight blocking of Skype and similar programs “until phone users learn to speak in a normal conversational tone instead of shouting.”

On CrunchGear.com, one user said he had been able to connect briefly on Skype — “enough to say hello, meet me and goodbye” before the blocking system sniffed out the connection and shut it down.

Skype has been coy. The service, owned by eBay, finds the new in-flight broadband opportunities “exciting,” said a spokeswoman, Jennifer Caukin. “We are all for bringing more Internet access to people, wherever and whenever,” she said, while noting that even if people on airplanes with Aircell’s Gogo can’t use Skype for voice calls, they can still use it for instant-messaging, as Mr. Gendel did.

On American, the Gogo service costs $12.95 for cross-country flights or $9.95 for those of three hours or less. It is now available on flights on 767-200 aircraft from Kennedy International Airport in New York to Los Angeles International, San Francisco International and Miami International airports.

Delta Air Lines and Virgin America plan to offer Gogo by the end of the year, while Air Canada says it will offer Gogo on certain flights between Canada and the United States starting next spring.

So far, no airline has given the green light to voice calls. “Most of the airlines we’re dealing with said no, we really don’t want voice on airplanes,” Mr. Blumenstein said.

PEOPLE can become quite testy about the prospects of having to listen to others — or at least to strangers sitting near them. All over the country, commuter buses and train lines have been banning cellphone calls.

Amtrak trains have a designed Quiet Car — the rail service has registered the term as a service mark — in which cellphone use is banned, as is loud talking. Virginia Railway Express, a commuter line in the Washington area, also has well-marked quiet cars, with published rules on how to use them.

Besides Skype, VoIP service packages are provided by numerous other companies, including big ones like Vonage and a growing array of smaller providers and start-ups. In developing Gogo, it’s been a challenge to keep up with them all, Mr. Blumenstein said.

“As we identify new ways that people are trying to do voice calls on the airplane, we just kind of zero in and knock those off. But it’s kind of a constant friendly race between us and the technologically savvy,” he said.