Airline Phones to Accept GSM SIM Cards

The aeronautical communications enabler, Altobridge , has announced the development of a new SIM-based solution, which will offer airline passengers personal mobile communications during short or long-haul flights. The solution uses Altobridge 's core communications architecture, which, combined with the individual passenger SIM card, effectively converts the seatback Inflight Entertainment Equipment (IFE), whether legacy or new generation, into a personal communications device.

The solution brings all the communications and m-commerce capabilities of a land-based mobile onboard an aircraft without the need to transmit radio signals/RF within the cabin environment. Incoming and outgoing calls, as well as m-commerce transactions, are charged to the individual passenger's terrestrial mobile network.

With future-proofing inherent within the Altobridge architecture, the solution can be easily wireless-enabled, allowing passengers to use their own mobile phones during flights in the future, once regulatory bodies so permit.

"At a time when airlines need a shot in the arm to boost revenues, the Altobridge SIM solution can deliver a much needed revenue stream through the provision of a personal communications and m-commerce service, which also extends and expands the use of legacy IFE systems, as well as new-generation systems," says Mike Fitzgerald, CEO of Altobridge .

"The utilisation of SIM-card technology to bring standard communications devices into the mobile telephony world is not new, but what is unique about the Altobridge architecture is the ability to do so within the bandwidth restrictive environs of the aircraft. SIM / USIM technology is taking a pivotal and accelerating role as a secure, core component of all future wireless network technologies," Fitzgerald concludes."

Posted to the site on 10th September 2003