I have to participate in a conference call while I am travelling.
Im flying Bus Class on Ethiad and the call will happen while I am between AUH and CDG. There is a later flight leaving AUH 7 hours later, but Ethiad want A$1900 to change (just for that sector).
Someone suggested that I could use wifi and do the call via skype. (I wont have to say much, mainly listen)
Any suggestions or thoughts? Any potential issues with Skype?
I've tried Skype around 3 times on a plane and none of them have been very successful but it does work (I was trying video).
Speed will be an issue as will blocking. The later can be fixed by a VPN the former can not. Most provide block Skype including Panasonic wifi so you'll likely need a decent VPN to even get access to Skype.
Data on Etihad isn't cheap either:
$4.95 for 30MB (about 10 minutes of Skype)
$11.95 for 90MB (about 30 minutes of Skype)
$19.95 for 180MB (about 1 hours of Skype)
(assuming Skype uses ~3mb per minute)
I think it'll work however you'll need to be patient and possible reconnect several times. You should set up your laptop and test a vpn on the ground beforehand and disable updates etc as the 180mb data allowance could be gone in minutes.
If you can dial into the conference call by mobile then you'd have a much better experience however you'll need a Telstra/Optus postpaid service and be willing to pay $4 per minute on Optus or $5 on Telstra (quite expensive but a fraction of the $1900 change fee).
If you don't have to say much perhaps have someone record the call and listen afterwards. Passengers near you may not want to listen to you trying to be heard on a conference call, on the other hand maybe they do if you are discussing commercially sensitive information. I know we are actively discouraged from taking conference calls in public places like airport lounges without being very careful.
I would give up on this idea now. The chance of it working is slim, and if it does it will be very expensive. I routinely work in business over wifi, and the speed can vary greatly as the plane moves about. Fast one moment, non-existent the next.
I'd think Skype use is below 1MB per min for most audio codec.
Best would be using a VOIP server located near your VPN server
I thought it was 1mb per minute as well but google suggests otherwise. Apparently, Skype to Skype (including group calls) uses more whilst Skype Out (calling landlines/mobiles) uses around 1mb.
Great suggestion about the VOIP server. It's hard unless you can find the exact details but a VPN that terminates where the satellite connects would make it even better. I'm not sure about Etihad but Singapore Airlines A350's satellite traffic comes from Los Angeles whilst Virgin Australia's 737 wifi comes from Optus' Sydney teleport.
If your taking an earlier sector to AUH then some tests could also be quite helpful and tweaks on the ground could make the performance better for next leg of the journey.
I admit I have done it on SQ flights...as long as you are more a listener than talking you should be OK as one of the previous posts mention -
key is to try and use a satellite friendly method to connect, Skype for Business is not too good, or Arkadin, webex, etc - something like Bluejeans if your company use it, or similar that optimize for higher latency connections, otherwise forget it....
I don't get the whole "people around you not wanting to listen to you and might get annoyed", if a couple sitting next to each other, or 2 colleagues have a discussion on a flight, how different is that to you talking into a phone........
I admit I have done it on SQ flights...as long as you are more a listener than talking you should be OK as one of the previous posts mention -
key is to try and use a satellite friendly method to connect, Skype for Business is not too good, or Arkadin, webex, etc - something like Bluejeans if your company use it, or similar that optimize for higher latency connections, otherwise forget it....
I don't get the whole "people around you not wanting to listen to you and might get annoyed", if a couple sitting next to each other, or 2 colleagues have a discussion on a flight, how different is that to you talking into a phone........
Last edited
by daniesut at Jun 21, 2018, 08.35 PM.
I think it’s because we tend to speak louder when on the phone. There’s sure to be some research about that.
Good point about the latency. We use Skype for business, it can be tricky on low bandwidth connections. For conference calls GoToMeeting is more reliable.
You should give up on it. You'll be showing your fellow passengers the respect they deserve by not yabbering on your phone. We don't want to hear you. A plane is transport for all of us, not your office.
Personally i enjoy and look forward to the quiet when i travel to Singapore. Those 7 hours of watching movies and just enjoying the downtime makes travelling all the much better. Once we did have someone on SQ on a call, after 25min of hearing his jabbering that many fellow travellers complained that the cabin manager came and had a word with him. 1 minute later it stopped much to everyones relief. I believe its true that people raise their voice when speaking on a phone. Don't get me started about the ones who insist on using the speakerphone option.
How is talking on a mobile on a plane, any different to a bus, train, subway, or even walking down the street? - its 2018, it was only a technology limitation up to not so long ago, so it was always going to happen, the sooner it gets better quality and cost, the better....embrace it....planes are not that quite to start with, if someone talking of the groan of the engines, clacker of the galley, is ennoying I think your getting somewhat precious...
You could dial in, keep yourself on mute and just type to the recipients (Skype for business you can do this) instead of raising your voice and unnecessarily distubring other passengers.
My personal view is that it is a bit rude to actively partake in a conference call in the air unless you are in a 1st class suite arrangement which is a bit more private. Information security is also a risk.
How is talking on a mobile on a plane, any different to a bus, train, subway, or even walking down the street? - its 2018, it was only a technology limitation up to not so long ago, so it was always going to happen, the sooner it gets better quality and cost, the better....embrace it....planes are not that quite to start with, if someone talking of the groan of the engines, clacker of the galley, is ennoying I think your getting somewhat precious...
It's common sense really just basic decency and respect, for most people it factors into their decisions and actions.
aangel
aangel
Member since 15 Aug 2012
Total posts 3
I have to participate in a conference call while I am travelling.
Im flying Bus Class on Ethiad and the call will happen while I am between AUH and CDG. There is a later flight leaving AUH 7 hours later, but Ethiad want A$1900 to change (just for that sector).
Someone suggested that I could use wifi and do the call via skype. (I wont have to say much, mainly listen)
Any suggestions or thoughts? Any potential issues with Skype?
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
Speed will be an issue as will blocking. The later can be fixed by a VPN the former can not. Most provide block Skype including Panasonic wifi so you'll likely need a decent VPN to even get access to Skype.
$4.95 for 30MB (about 10 minutes of Skype)
$11.95 for 90MB (about 30 minutes of Skype)
$19.95 for 180MB (about 1 hours of Skype)
(assuming Skype uses ~3mb per minute)
I think it'll work however you'll need to be patient and possible reconnect several times. You should set up your laptop and test a vpn on the ground beforehand and disable updates etc as the 180mb data allowance could be gone in minutes.
If you can dial into the conference call by mobile then you'd have a much better experience however you'll need a Telstra/Optus postpaid service and be willing to pay $4 per minute on Optus or $5 on Telstra (quite expensive but a fraction of the $1900 change fee).
moa999
moa999
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Jul 2011
Total posts 835
I'd think Skype use is below 1MB per min for most audio codec.
rob01
rob01
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 10 Nov 2011
Total posts 110
If you don't have to say much perhaps have someone record the call and listen afterwards. Passengers near you may not want to listen to you trying to be heard on a conference call, on the other hand maybe they do if you are discussing commercially sensitive information. I know we are actively discouraged from taking conference calls in public places like airport lounges without being very careful.
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
I would give up on this idea now. The chance of it working is slim, and if it does it will be very expensive. I routinely work in business over wifi, and the speed can vary greatly as the plane moves about. Fast one moment, non-existent the next.
henrus
henrus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 23 Oct 2013
Total posts 766
I thought it was 1mb per minute as well but google suggests otherwise. Apparently, Skype to Skype (including group calls) uses more whilst Skype Out (calling landlines/mobiles) uses around 1mb.
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43
I admit I have done it on SQ flights...as long as you are more a listener than talking you should be OK as one of the previous posts mention -
key is to try and use a satellite friendly method to connect, Skype for Business is not too good, or Arkadin, webex, etc - something like Bluejeans if your company use it, or similar that optimize for higher latency connections, otherwise forget it....
I don't get the whole "people around you not wanting to listen to you and might get annoyed", if a couple sitting next to each other, or 2 colleagues have a discussion on a flight, how different is that to you talking into a phone........
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
I admit I have done it on SQ flights...as long as you are more a listener than talking you should be OK as one of the previous posts mention -
key is to try and use a satellite friendly method to connect, Skype for Business is not too good, or Arkadin, webex, etc - something like Bluejeans if your company use it, or similar that optimize for higher latency connections, otherwise forget it....
I don't get the whole "people around you not wanting to listen to you and might get annoyed", if a couple sitting next to each other, or 2 colleagues have a discussion on a flight, how different is that to you talking into a phone........
I think it’s because we tend to speak louder when on the phone. There’s sure to be some research about that.
Joffie
Joffie
Member since 09 Jul 2014
Total posts 1
You should give up on it. You'll be showing your fellow passengers the respect they deserve by not yabbering on your phone. We don't want to hear you. A plane is transport for all of us, not your office.
mushmush
mushmush
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
Member since 14 Nov 2013
Total posts 40
Personally i enjoy and look forward to the quiet when i travel to Singapore. Those 7 hours of watching movies and just enjoying the downtime makes travelling all the much better. Once we did have someone on SQ on a call, after 25min of hearing his jabbering that many fellow travellers complained that the cabin manager came and had a word with him. 1 minute later it stopped much to everyones relief. I believe its true that people raise their voice when speaking on a phone. Don't get me started about the ones who insist on using the speakerphone option.
Frank
Frank
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Sep 2013
Total posts 107
You’re kidding aren’t you?..
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
I can't believe you are even considering this, selfishness at its worst.
daniesut
daniesut
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Sep 2016
Total posts 43
How is talking on a mobile on a plane, any different to a bus, train, subway, or even walking down the street? - its 2018, it was only a technology limitation up to not so long ago, so it was always going to happen, the sooner it gets better quality and cost, the better....embrace it....planes are not that quite to start with, if someone talking of the groan of the engines, clacker of the galley, is ennoying I think your getting somewhat precious...
ratrace
ratrace
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 01 Apr 2018
Total posts 50
You could dial in, keep yourself on mute and just type to the recipients (Skype for business you can do this) instead of raising your voice and unnecessarily distubring other passengers.
Doubleplatinum Banned
Doubleplatinum Banned
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
Member since 07 Feb 2013
Total posts 431
It's common sense really just basic decency and respect, for most people it factors into their decisions and actions.