Emirates Allowing Cellphone Use in Flight

The airline, Emirates has signed a deal with AeroMobile to offer in-flight mobile phone coverage. AeroMobile, has developed an aircraft system which controls the power output of all mobile phones down to the minimum level allowing their safe use onboard aircraft. The Dubai-based airline expects to launch the service on board one of its Boeing 777s as early as January 2007, once all necessary approvals have been granted.

AeroMobile's aircraft system includes a number of features that will allow users to talk or text discreetly and maintain the privacy of other passengers. This includes the ability for cabin crew to control the system at any time, plus select operating modes appropriate to particular flights. For example, crew may disable voice service and select text only operation mode for overnight flights.

Passengers will be instructed and encouraged to switch phones to silent or vibrate mode at all times throughout the flight. Up to five calls may be made at at any one time, the same number as for the current in-seat phones used regularly by Emirates' passengers.

The AeroMobile system has been developed over the last four years and is possible now because of AeroMobile's aircraft and ground network technology but also due to the emergence of new telecoms regulations. Calls are linked to the ground using the Inmarsat satellite communications system already installed on all Emirates' aircraft.

Emirates and AeroMobile plan to add GPRS data and internet capability to the system the Inmarsat satellite communications systems are upgraded later in 2007.

In all instances on aircraft where the AeroMobile system is not installed, existing rules banning the use of mobile phones by passengers remain in force at all times. Mobile phones must remain switched off for the duration of the flight in accordance with current aviation regulatory requirements. Passengers must continue to follow the instructions of the cabin staff at all times regarding the use of mobile phones and other portable electronic devices."

Posted to the site on 9th November 2006