Mobile phones on aircraft

Another haven from annoying ring tones and loud personal conversations is being closed off as researchers work on ways to make mobile phones available on aircraft.

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus is experimenting with new technology it says will pave the way for widespread mobile use on flights as early as 2006.

Airbus said yesterday it had completed the first in-flight trial of a GSM mobile phone on an Airbus A320 at the manufacturer’s Toulouse home base in France.

The demonstration involved both voice communications and text messaging to ground-based mobiles and fixed phones as well as to another mobile phone on board.

Technology developed by Airbus and telecommunication specialist Icarelink involves setting up a small “picocell” inside the aircraft.

A call is picked up by the picocell, routed through a computer server and transmitted through the Globalstar satellite communications network to the ground.

One question about the new system that remained unanswered yesterday was its safety implications.

Passengers are banned from using mobile phones because of fears they will affect aircraft electronics.

A local Airbus representative was unable to say how the new technology
addressed those worries.

Story courtesy THE AUSTRALIAN