Qantas evaluates in-flight mobile technology

Qantas has announced that it is to evaluate the practice of allowing passengers to make mobile calls while flying, as well as send and receive text messages and emails.

This trial, which begins next year, will see Qantas passengers flying to Australia become able to use their mobile phones and personal electronic devices while on domestic flights.

"The service will be simple to use. Customers wanting to make or receive a call or SMS require only a GSM phone and a global roaming account, while customers wanting to send or receive emails would need a GPRS-enabled device like a BlackBerry or an appropriately equipped laptop," said Lesley Grant, general manager of customer product and services for Qantas.

"The aircraft effectively operates as a single 'GSM country' in the sky, with passengers using the service as they do now, when overseas."

Qantas stated that the technology enabling mobile communications to take place in-flight had been developed so that it would not interfere with the ground network.

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