EC expects number of Internet-equipped aircraft to double this year

Posted 06/04/2009

European Commission revealed last week that 27 European aircraft have been equipped to allow the use of standard mobile telephones onboard since the EC created the regulatory framework for such a service last year (ATWOnline, April 8, 2008) and that it expects the number of aircraft to double by the end of 2009. Ryanair, TAP Portugal and bmi currently offer the service through either OnAir or AeroMobile, and technical trials are underway at other carriers, the EC said. EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding outlined conditions for continued successful adoption of the technology: "Inflight mobile phone use should not disturb other passengers, for example, by leaving ample room for quiet zones during air travel, just like in trains. Secondly, attention should be paid by the operators that prices for these services remain at a reasonable level. If these two conditions are met, then offering onboard mobile phone services can be a bonus for European companies in the competitive global air travel market." The EC said "current indications" are that onboard telephone calls start at around €1.60 ($2.13) per min. and that SMS messages cost €0.43.

Originally published 6 Apr 2009 at: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/AtwDailyNews/~3/VQkqR13yRpw/story.html