Get 'upwardly Mobile' At 30,000 Ft!

[@ksh@T 20]

NEW DELHI: This is one much-talked, debated but delayed `flight’ that will finally take off in 2008. Air travellers will be able to use mobile phones in flight. A new technology that creates micro cellular sites called `picocells’, within an aircraft, without interfering with the airplanes communication or other systems will make this possible.

The picocell networks within the aircraft will send the mobile signals to satellites which will relay them to ground links, providing interconnection between the aircraft, ground, public networks and home operators. Satellite links will ensure that calls be made even while flying over oceans, offering connectivity throughout a flight.

More than a dozen global airlines including Indian carriers are deploying these miniature cellular networks within their aircraft to enable mobile services in air. The call costs at around $3.50 to $4 per minute are much cheaper than the current charges of cumbersome satellite phones in aircraft ($10-12 per minute) and are expected to fall to levels of global roaming rates as the service become common.

OnAir an Airbus and SITA-(provider of air transport applications) owned company and AeroMobile, a UK-based company are installing the miniature networks within aircraft. Global airlines including Air France, Emirates, Quantas, Turkish Airlines, Air Portugal, BMI, Kingfisher and low-cost carriers like JetBlue and Ryanair are deploying solutions that will enable mobile services in air.

While the technology enables complete gamut of mobile services to be offered, some carriers will initially offer text messaging and data transfer services before they allow voice communications as well. Says AeroMobile marketing director David Coiley, “Three developments have enabled this: equipment that can be installed without interfering with the aircraft systems, regulations that permit it and commercially viable call rates. However, telecom regulators around the world don’t want interference with external ground systems hence the system onboard will be activated only when an aircraft reaches cruising altitude, that is at least 3,000 meters.”

Earlier this year AeroMobile tested its systems on domestic flights within Australia as part of an evaluation project supporting GSM text messaging and GPRS data services, with over 19,000 passengers using their own phones on over 1,200 flights. In India Kingfisher has signed a MoU with OnAir to install a system enabling data services on board its long haul flights.

A Kingfisher Airlines official told ET: ``In April next year, when we receive our wide-bodied aircraft, we plan to launch internet services on long haul flights. We will subsequently allow voice calls.’’ Kingfisher expects permission to fly international routes by mid 2008 and will offer communication services on its proposed Bangalore-San Francisco, Mumbai-New York, Mumbai-London and Delhi-London flights.

Adds an OnAir spokesperson: ``TAP (Air Portugal) and BMI will also run commercial trials, both starting in the first quarter of 2008. In addition, Ryanair will have the technology on 25 planes by the end of March. Other airlines that have signed up with OnAir are Royal Jordanian, Kingfisher, AirAsia and Shenzhen.’’ On Air’s service is based on an onboard server and connected to the ground infrastructure through SwiftBroadband, Inmarsat’s broadband satellite infrastructure. Phones are used just like on the ground. To make a call on board the aircraft, passengers simply dial the international prefix (+) or 00 + country code + full number (without the 0).

Adds the OnAir spokesperson: ``Passengers will be able to use the service in exactly the same way as when they are in another country on the ground. Therefore, cost of calls, SMS messages and e-mails will be in line with international roaming rates and will be included as part of the passenger’s regular bill. The cost will be the same on all flights.’’ It remains to be seen how people react to this much delayed service. Though for some passengers disturbance while flying may not be just due to air turbulence but a chatty co-passenger.