Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[In-flight calling and texting coming to Singapore Airlines in 2011]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/in-flight-calling-and-texting-coming-to-singapore-airlines-in-20/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/in-flight-calling-and-texting-coming-to-singapore-airlines-in-20/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/06/in-flight-calling-and-texting-coming-to-singapore-airlines-in-20/#commentsSo, OnAir is still hanging around, huh? It's been quite a while since we've heard anything from the in-flight telephony company, with outfits like Row44 and Aircell dominating the space with their near-constant rollout of in-flight WiFi services here in the States. But for those traveling in and around Asia on Singapore Airlines, it sounds as if your flights are about to get a bit more connected, and potentially more chatty. A new in-flight connectivity system based on Inmarsat's SwiftBroadband (and a collaboration with OnAir) is expected to provide passengers on medium- and long-haul flights with "access to WiFi internet and mobile telephony services." This should, in theory, enable patrons to send and receive SMS text messages with their GSM-compatible handsets, send and receive emails on their smartphones (and laptops, we presume?) and potentially make and receive voice calls. SIA expects to have the first of its fleet equipped in the first half of 2011, with introductions to happen in progressive fashion on its Airbus A380, Airbus A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Sounds like a few airlines we know and love have a little catching up to do...

In-flight calling and texting coming to Singapore Airlines in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairplanecallingflightflightsflyingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInmarsatOnAirSIAsingaporesingapore airlinesSingaporeAirlinesSwiftBroadbandtextingWed, 06 Oct 2010 11:25:00 EST<![CDATA[In-flight calling soon to be allowed south of the border]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/in-flight-calling-soon-to-be-allowed-south-of-the-border/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/in-flight-calling-soon-to-be-allowed-south-of-the-border/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/in-flight-calling-soon-to-be-allowed-south-of-the-border/#commentsIn-flight calling soon to be allowed south of the borderWhile in-flight WiFi is slowly becoming a reality in more and more jets going to more and more places, in-flight calling seems to be stuck in a holding pattern. Whether that's good or bad news depends on your like or dislike of hearing folks blab on their cellys and/or your propensity for wearing headphones mid-flight. If you answered "love it" or "I don't go nowhere without my Boses" you may want to consider a trip south of the border -- that's Mexico, not the glorified rest stop in South Carolina. Soon, travelers there will no longer have to keep their handsets safely stowed or in airplane mode, with the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, or SCT (the Mexican FCC equivalent), approving cellphones en-masse for flights anywhere in the nation. This cancels an earlier edict made in 2001 banning their use, and while Mexico's federal government still has to approve things, that's not expected to take long. So, who's willing to risk swine flu, gang violence, and other overly-sensationalized risks to get their mid-air talky on?

[Thanks, Xavier M.]

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In-flight calling soon to be allowed south of the border originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmexicomobilesctSecretara de Comunicaciones y TransportesSecretaraDeComunicacionesYTransportesFri, 24 Jul 2009 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[In-flight calling soon to be allowed south of the border]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/in-flight-calling-soon-to-be-allowed-south-of-the-border/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/in-flight-calling-soon-to-be-allowed-south-of-the-border/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/24/in-flight-calling-soon-to-be-allowed-south-of-the-border/#commentsIn-flight calling soon to be allowed south of the borderWhile in-flight WiFi is slowly becoming a reality in more and more jets going to more and more places, in-flight calling seems to be stuck in a holding pattern. Whether that's good or bad news depends on your like or dislike of hearing folks blab on their cellys and/or your propensity for wearing headphones mid-flight. If you answered "love it" or "I don't go nowhere without my Boses" you may want to consider a trip south of the border -- that's Mexico, not the glorified rest stop in South Carolina. Soon, travelers there will no longer have to keep their handsets safely stowed or in airplane mode, with the Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes, or SCT (the Mexican FCC equivalent), approving cellphones en-masse for flights anywhere in the nation. This cancels an earlier edict made in 2001 banning their use, and while Mexico's federal government still has to approve things, that's not expected to take long. So, who's willing to risk swine flu, gang violence, and other overly-sensationalized risks to get their mid-air talky on?

[Thanks, Xavier M.]

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In-flight calling soon to be allowed south of the border originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Jul 2009 07:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmexicosctSecretara de Comunicaciones y TransportesSecretaraDeComunicacionesYTransportesFri, 24 Jul 2009 07:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryanair brings in-flight calling to 20 aircraft, but you'll never use it]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/ryanair-brings-in-flight-calling-to-20-aircraft-but-youll-neve/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/ryanair-brings-in-flight-calling-to-20-aircraft-but-youll-neve/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/20/ryanair-brings-in-flight-calling-to-20-aircraft-but-youll-neve/#comments
Oh sure, the idea of having in-flight calling capabilities is pretty awesome, but actually biting the bullet and paying international roaming fees in order to indulge is likely to be a stretch. Ryanair, one of Europe's low-cost airlines, has finally equipped 20 of its planes (all traveling to / from Dublin) with in-flight mobile service after promising it around 1.5 years ago. Ryanair confesses that typical prices will be around €0.50 to send a text message and between €2.00 and €3.00 per minute to make and receive calls. In other words, you'll probably be keeping your conversations to yourself until you touch down, but at least it's there in case of emergency. Or something.

[Via Gadling, thanks Conrad]

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Ryanair brings in-flight calling to 20 aircraft, but you'll never use it originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aircraftairlineairplanecallingeuropein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingplaneryanairFri, 20 Feb 2009 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[bmi launches in-flight communications trial, voice gratefully excluded]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/bmi-launches-in-flight-communications-trial-voice-gratefully-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/bmi-launches-in-flight-communications-trial-voice-gratefully-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/bmi-launches-in-flight-communications-trial-voice-gratefully-ex/#comments
We all know how the British hate lagging behind the French, so it's no shock to see bmi following Air France in the in-flight communications game. The airline has just announced that it will soon launch a six month trial of the OnAir service, though not surprisingly, voice calls will not be a part of said run. Instead, users in a single A320 making loops from London to Moscow will be able to send text messages whilst airborne, and in case that's too boring, users with GSM data cards will also be able to hop online. There's no mention of a VoIP ban, but given the clear anti-voice stance, we doubt the kind attendants would let you chatter long before giving you the evil eye.

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bmi launches in-flight communications trial, voice gratefully excluded originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A320bmibritishenglandglobalgsmin-flightin-flight callingin-flight cellphonein-flight communicationsIn-flightCallingIn-flightCellphoneIn-flightCommunicationsmessagingmobileOnAirukMon, 15 Dec 2008 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[bmi launches in-flight communications trial, voice gratefully excluded]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/bmi-launches-in-flight-communications-trial-voice-gratefully-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/bmi-launches-in-flight-communications-trial-voice-gratefully-ex/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/15/bmi-launches-in-flight-communications-trial-voice-gratefully-ex/#comments
We all know how the British hate lagging behind the French, so it's no shock to see bmi following Air France in the in-flight communications game. The airline has just announced that it will soon launch a six month trial of the OnAir service, though not surprisingly, voice calls will not be a part of said run. Instead, users in a single A320 making loops from London to Moscow will be able to send text messages whilst airborne, and in case that's too boring, users with GSM data cards will also be able to hop online. There's no mention of a VoIP ban, but given the clear anti-voice stance, we doubt the kind attendants would let you chatter long before giving you the evil eye.

Filed under: ,

bmi launches in-flight communications trial, voice gratefully excluded originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A320bmibritishenglandglobalin-flightin-flight callingin-flight cellphonein-flight communicationsIn-flightCallingIn-flightCellphoneIn-flightCommunicationsOnAirukMon, 15 Dec 2008 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[In-flight calling ban passes hurdle in House]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/01/in-flight-calling-ban-passes-hurdle-in-house/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/01/in-flight-calling-ban-passes-hurdle-in-house/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/01/in-flight-calling-ban-passes-hurdle-in-house/#commentsIt looks like that proposed ban on in-flight calling has now passed its first major hurdle in Congress, with it snagging some much needed approval from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in a voice vote on Thursday. While the so-called "Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace" (or HANG UP, really) would make permanent the current ban on in-flight cellphone use, it'd also go one step further and put a stop to all in-flight voice communications, which its co-sponsors hope will prevent airlines from charging some passengers to use their phones while also charging others to sit in a phone-free section of the plane. Of course, the bill still has a long ways to go before it becomes law, but giving the recent polling on the matter, it would seem to have a better than decent chance of going all the way.

[Via Slashdot]

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In-flight calling ban passes hurdle in House originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billin-flight callingin-flight cellphonein-flight cellphone useIn-flightCallingIn-flightCellphoneIn-flightCellphoneUseFri, 01 Aug 2008 11:24:00 EST<![CDATA[In-flight calling ban passes hurdle in House]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/01/in-flight-calling-ban-passes-hurdle-in-house/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/01/in-flight-calling-ban-passes-hurdle-in-house/http://www.engadget.com/2008/08/01/in-flight-calling-ban-passes-hurdle-in-house/#commentsIt looks like that proposed ban on in-flight calling has now passed its first major hurdle in Congress, with it snagging some much needed approval from the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in a voice vote on Thursday. While the so-called "Halting Airplane Noise to Give Us Peace" (or HANG UP, really) would make permanent the current ban on in-flight cellphone use, it'd also go one step further and put a stop to all in-flight voice communications, which its co-sponsors hope will prevent airlines from charging some passengers to use their phones while also charging others to sit in a phone-free section of the plane. Of course, the bill still has a long ways to go before it becomes law, but giving the recent polling on the matter, it would seem to have a better than decent chance of going all the way.

[Via Slashdot]

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In-flight calling ban passes hurdle in House originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billCulturein-flight callingin-flight cellphonein-flight cellphone useIn-flightCallingIn-flightCellphoneIn-flightCellphoneUsemobileFri, 01 Aug 2008 10:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey: 74% of US Americans say NO to in-flight calling, YES to data]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/survey-74-of-us-americans-say-no-to-in-flight-calling-yes-to/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/survey-74-of-us-americans-say-no-to-in-flight-calling-yes-to/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/survey-74-of-us-americans-say-no-to-in-flight-calling-yes-to/#commentsIn a Harris Interactive survey of 2,030 US adults of whom, 1,778 have actually flown in an airplane, a full three quarters say that cellphone usage on airplanes should be restricted to "non-talking features." In other words, email, texting, and surfing the Web. That's a pretty significant majority seeing as how the EC has cleared the way for calls within European airspace. 69% of consumers agreed that if voice calls are permitted, a special "talking zone" should be established so that other passengers are not interrupted. While the survey reflects our own opinions, take note that the results benefit sites like Yahoo! Mobile, the very company which commissioned the survey. It's also worth highlighting a comment made by a certain Miss Teen, South Carolina who said, "That some US Americans should be unable to do so, because, uh, some-a people out there in our nation don't have cellphones, and such as, maps." Good point.

Survey: 74% of US Americans say NO to in-flight calling, YES to data originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 May 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneCultureharris interactiveHarrisInteractivein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobilesurveyyahooyahoo mobileYahooMobileWed, 21 May 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Survey: 74% of US Americans say NO to in-flight calling, YES to data]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/survey-74-of-us-americans-say-no-to-in-flight-calling-yes-to/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/survey-74-of-us-americans-say-no-to-in-flight-calling-yes-to/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/21/survey-74-of-us-americans-say-no-to-in-flight-calling-yes-to/#commentsIn a Harris Interactive survey of 2,030 US adults of whom, 1,778 have actually flown in an airplane, a full three quarters say that cellphone usage on airplanes should be restricted to "non-talking features." In other words, email, texting, and surfing the Web. That's a pretty significant majority seeing as how the EC has cleared the way for calls within European airspace. 69% of consumers agreed that if voice calls are permitted, a special "talking zone" should be established so that other passengers are not interrupted. While the survey reflects our own opinions, take note that the results benefit sites like Yahoo! Mobile, the very company which commissioned the survey. It's also worth highlighting a comment made by a certain Miss Teen, South Carolina who said, "That some US Americans should be unable to do so, because, uh, some-a people out there in our nation don't have cellphones, and such as, maps." Good point.

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Survey: 74% of US Americans say NO to in-flight calling, YES to data originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 May 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplanecellphoneharris interactiveHarrisInteractivein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingsurveyyahooyahoo mobileYahooMobileWed, 21 May 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/#commentsThat Air France in-flight calling trial is now well underway, and it looks like there's still some kinks left to iron out. The New York Times hitched a ride on a recent flight featuring tests of the system, and found that things weren't quite working up to snuff: voice quality was said to be like "talking to a small robot," only six passengers could get a signal at a time, Blackberry email didn't work, and calls placed from the ground to cell phones in the air went straight to voicemail. That's a pretty long list for a system that's been talked about for a couple years now -- let's hope OnAir manages to clear up some of these glitches before angry passengers revolt over not only having to listen to other people's conversations, but also their screaming over bad connections.

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Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceAirFrancein flightin flight callingin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightInFlightCallingon airOnAirFri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/18/air-france-in-flight-calling-tests-begin-not-so-great/#commentsThat Air France in-flight calling trial is now well underway, and it looks like there's still some kinks left to iron out. The New York Times hitched a ride on a recent flight featuring tests of the system, and found that things weren't quite working up to snuff: voice quality was said to be like "talking to a small robot," only six passengers could get a signal at a time, Blackberry email didn't work, and calls placed from the ground to cell phones in the air went straight to voicemail. That's a pretty long list for a system that's been talked about for a couple years now -- let's hope OnAir manages to clear up some of these glitches before angry passengers revolt over not only having to listen to other people's conversations, but also their screaming over bad connections.

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Air France in-flight calling tests begin: not so great originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceAirFrancein flightin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightInFlightCallingmobileon airOnAirpicocellFri, 18 Apr 2008 19:54:00 EST<![CDATA[European Commission gives approval to in-flight calling over Europe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/#commentsNot even a week after hearing that Air France was forging ahead with an in-flight calling trial, the European Commission has now voiced its approval of using mobiles on planes in European airspace. After six months of deliberating, the decision was finally made to give airlines the choice of offering up services in order for guests to dial loved ones at 3,000-meters or more. The EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, went on to warn operators to "keep the cost of calls made on planes at a reasonable level," and of course, not all is clear just yet. For starters, the European Aviation Safety Agency still needs to green-light the whole ordeal by approving any hardware that would be used, and we won't be seeing any 3G action up high just yet. Still, at least one less hurdle stands in the way of you phoning home from over Europe (and simultaneously making enemies out of all your neighbors trying to get a few decent minutes of shuteye).

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European Commission gives approval to in-flight calling over Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionflightfrancein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingofcomonairpico cellpico cellsPicoCellPicoCellsplanetrialMon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[European Commission gives approval to in-flight calling over Europe]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/07/european-commission-gives-approval-to-in-flight-calling-in-europ/#commentsNot even a week after hearing that Air France was forging ahead with an in-flight calling trial, the European Commission has now voiced its approval of using mobiles on planes in European airspace. After six months of deliberating, the decision was finally made to give airlines the choice of offering up services in order for guests to dial loved ones at 3,000-meters or more. The EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, went on to warn operators to "keep the cost of calls made on planes at a reasonable level," and of course, not all is clear just yet. For starters, the European Aviation Safety Agency still needs to green-light the whole ordeal by approving any hardware that would be used, and we won't be seeing any 3G action up high just yet. Still, at least one less hurdle stands in the way of you phoning home from over Europe (and simultaneously making enemies out of all your neighbors trying to get a few decent minutes of shuteye).

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European Commission gives approval to in-flight calling over Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneEUeuropeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionflightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobileofcomonairpico cellpico cellsPicoCellPicoCellsplanetrialMon, 07 Apr 2008 08:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France launches in-flight calling trial]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/air-france-launches-in-flight-calling-trial/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/air-france-launches-in-flight-calling-trial/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/air-france-launches-in-flight-calling-trial/#commentsNot even half a year after Air France enabled passengers on its single OnAir-equipped Airbus A318 to send / receive messages and e-mail, the airline has went live with the second phase of the in-flight experiment. As of this week, guests who find themselves aboard the aforesaid aircraft can make / receive calls on their mobile at 30,000 feet. Reportedly, a dozen simultaneous calls are possible "per picocell network, as well as unlimited text messages and e-mails," and while pricing details weren't disclosed, you can rest assured it won't be a bargain. Nevertheless, the voice aspect of the trial is scheduled to carry on for three months, and we're assuming the results (read: whether annoyed passengers start assaulting chronic yappers) will determine if it gets rolled out to more of the fleet or quietly buried.

[Via WiFi Net News]

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Air France launches in-flight calling trial originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceairbusairbus a318AirbusA318AirFranceairplaneflightfrancein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingonairplanetrialThu, 03 Apr 2008 08:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France launches in-flight calling trial]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/air-france-launches-in-flight-calling-trial/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/air-france-launches-in-flight-calling-trial/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/03/air-france-launches-in-flight-calling-trial/#commentsNot even half a year after Air France enabled passengers on its single OnAir-equipped Airbus A318 to send / receive messages and e-mail, the airline has went live with the second phase of the in-flight experiment. As of this week, guests who find themselves aboard the aforesaid aircraft can make / receive calls on their mobile at 30,000 feet. Reportedly, a dozen simultaneous calls are possible "per picocell network, as well as unlimited text messages and e-mails," and while pricing details weren't disclosed, you can rest assured it won't be a bargain. Nevertheless, the voice aspect of the trial is scheduled to carry on for three months, and we're assuming the results (read: whether annoyed passengers start assaulting chronic yappers) will determine if it gets rolled out to more of the fleet or quietly buried.

[Via WiFi Net News]

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Air France launches in-flight calling trial originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceairbusairbus a318AirbusA318AirFranceairplaneflightfrancein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobileonairplanetrialThu, 03 Apr 2008 08:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Emirates permits world's first in-flight cellphone call, plane doesn't crash]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/emirates-permits-worlds-first-in-flight-cellphone-call-plane-d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/emirates-permits-worlds-first-in-flight-cellphone-call-plane-d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/emirates-permits-worlds-first-in-flight-cellphone-call-plane-d/#comments
Like it or not, a new era has dawned. More than a year later than anticipated, Emirates says that the world's first authorized cellphone call was made by a passenger during an Airbus A340 flight between Dubai and Casablanca. Once the aircraft reached cruising altitude, passengers were permitted to make and receive both calls and text messages. Emirates plans to fit additional aircraft with the interference-blocking AeroMobile system later this year while adding BlackBerry and "other data services." To keep the annoyance factor to a minimum, the flight crew requests passengers to silence their ringers and will shut off the in-flight service when appropriate. For example, during long-haul, red-eye flights or breaking celebrity scandals on TMZ... we hope.

[Thanks, Jonathan F and Andrew B.]

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Emirates permits world's first in-flight cellphone call, plane doesn't crash originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeromobileemiratesin-flightin-flight callingin-flightcallingmobileFri, 21 Mar 2008 03:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Emirates permits world's first in-flight cellphone call, plane doesn't crash]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/emirates-permits-worlds-first-in-flight-cellphone-call-plane-d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/emirates-permits-worlds-first-in-flight-cellphone-call-plane-d/http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/21/emirates-permits-worlds-first-in-flight-cellphone-call-plane-d/#comments
Like it or not, a new era has dawned. More than a year later than anticipated, Emirates says that the world's first authorized cellphone call was made by a passenger during an Airbus A340 flight between Dubai and Casablanca. Once the aircraft reached cruising altitude, passengers were permitted to make and receive both calls and text messages. Emirates plans to fit additional aircraft with the interference-blocking AeroMobile system later this year while adding BlackBerry and "other data services." To keep the annoyance factor to a minimum, the flight crew requests passengers to silence their ringers and will shut off the in-flight service when appropriate. For example, during long-haul, red-eye flights or breaking celebrity scandals on TMZ... we hope.

[Thanks, Jonathan F and Andrew B.]

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Emirates permits world's first in-flight cellphone call, plane doesn't crash originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aeromobileemiratesin-flightin-flight callingin-flightcallingFri, 21 Mar 2008 03:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France launches in-flight mobile phone service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/20/air-france-launches-in-flight-mobile-phone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/20/air-france-launches-in-flight-mobile-phone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/20/air-france-launches-in-flight-mobile-phone-service/#commentsAlthough we'd always assumed that Ryanair would be the first to roll out Airbus' OnAir in-flight calling system, it looks like Air France is going to take the prize -- the airline is now rolling out Mobile On-Air 2.5G cell service on select international flights. Passengers on European-route Airbus A318s can now use their phones to send and receive texts, MMS, and email over the system when the new "no mobiles" light is switched off, and voice calling support will be rolled in the second half of the year-long trial. Phones are used just like on the ground, with a picocell on board the aircraft bouncing signals off a satellite, and billing is handled by customer's regular carrier, with rates "comparable" to regular international calling. All this, of course, while FAA twiddles its thumbs for the "foreseeable future." Oh well -- at least we've got in-flight WiFi to tide us over.

[Via The Unwired]

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Air France launches in-flight mobile phone service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceairbusAirFrancein-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobile on airMobileOnAiron airOnAirThu, 20 Dec 2007 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Air France launches in-flight mobile phone service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/20/air-france-launches-in-flight-mobile-phone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/20/air-france-launches-in-flight-mobile-phone-service/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/20/air-france-launches-in-flight-mobile-phone-service/#commentsAlthough we'd always assumed that Ryanair would be the first to roll out Airbus' OnAir in-flight calling system, it looks like Air France is going to take the prize -- the airline is now rolling out Mobile On-Air 2.5G cell service on select international flights. Passengers on European-route Airbus A318s can now use their phones to send and receive texts, MMS, and email over the system when the new "no mobiles" light is switched off, and voice calling support will be rolled in the second half of the year-long trial. Phones are used just like on the ground, with a picocell on board the aircraft bouncing signals off a satellite, and billing is handled by customer's regular carrier, with rates "comparable" to regular international calling. All this, of course, while FAA twiddles its thumbs for the "foreseeable future." Oh well -- at least we've got in-flight WiFi to tide us over.

[Via The Unwired]

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Air France launches in-flight mobile phone service originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air franceairbusAirFrancein-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobilemobile on airMobileOnAiron airOnAirThu, 20 Dec 2007 15:26:00 EST<![CDATA[US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/#commentsAs the long-running fight for US in-flight calling (or the lack thereof) rages on, it seems that we're finally getting a definitive answer on the matter -- for the time being, of course. According to Telegraph Travel, Les Dorr, of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), stated that "proposals to lift the ban on in-flight mobiles had caused such an outcry [that] they had been dropped." Furthermore, it was noted that aviation authorities had "ruled out the use of mobile phones on planes for the foreseeable future." Unfortunately, there was little exaggeration beyond that, but it seems that in-flight calling on US flights is on hiatus for the time being.

[Via Textually]

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US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>faafccin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightCallingmobileregulationsregulatoryMon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST<![CDATA[US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/08/us-in-flight-calling-gets-shot-down-again/#commentsAs the long-running fight for US in-flight calling (or the lack thereof) rages on, it seems that we're finally getting a definitive answer on the matter -- for the time being, of course. According to Telegraph Travel, Les Dorr, of the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), stated that "proposals to lift the ban on in-flight mobiles had caused such an outcry [that] they had been dropped." Furthermore, it was noted that aviation authorities had "ruled out the use of mobile phones on planes for the foreseeable future." Unfortunately, there was little exaggeration beyond that, but it seems that in-flight calling on US flights is on hiatus for the time being.

[Via Textually]

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US in-flight calling can't catch a break, ruled out for "foreseeable future" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>faafccin flight callingin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightCallingregulationsregulatoryMon, 08 Oct 2007 08:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Shenzhen Airlines announces in-flight cellphone, internet service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/shenzhen-airlines-announces-in-flight-cellphone-internet-servic/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/shenzhen-airlines-announces-in-flight-cellphone-internet-servic/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/shenzhen-airlines-announces-in-flight-cellphone-internet-servic/#commentsHaving already brought its in-flight cellphone and internet service to Europe and Australia, Swiss-based OnAir is now giving passengers in China some added in-flight convenience/annoyance of their own, with it finding a partner in the country's Shenzhen Airlines. Much like Boeing's recent ill-fated Connexion experiment, OnAir's service will let you use your own cellphone to make calls or send text messages, with in-flight internet thrown in for good measure (and an added price, no doubt). Those heading to or from China won't be able to whip out their phones and laptops just yet though, with the company saying they only expect the service to be up and running by mid-2009, although they hope to have three demonstration aircraft ready in time for the Beijing Olympics next year.

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Shenzhen Airlines announces in-flight cellphone, internet service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinain-flight callingin-flight internetIn-flightCallingIn-flightInternetonairshenzhen airlinesShenzhenAirlinesMon, 03 Sep 2007 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Airbus gets Euro approval for in-flight calling system]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/airbus-gets-euro-approval-for-in-flight-calling-system/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/airbus-gets-euro-approval-for-in-flight-calling-system/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/airbus-gets-euro-approval-for-in-flight-calling-system/#commentsThe FAA's still hemming and hawing over how to handle the rather controversial issue of in-flight mobile phone use, but that hasn't stopped Europe's Airbus from pushing the issue on its home turf. Having already signed agreements with Ryanair and Qantas to provide service through its OnAir subsidiary, the company's been testing equipment to enable the use of GSM handsets for some time; the European Aviation Safety Agency's apparently pretty satisfied with how those tests have been coming along, too, having just blessed the system for commercial use. European travelers worried that this development is going to lead to a rash of incessant yappers on domestic flights can take some solace in the knowledge that flight attendants will be able to "manage" the service, even shutting off voice entirely while leaving SMS and data active. Look for OnAir service to drop initially on short flights in Western Europe, though Airbus intends to take it global -- if the FAA's cool with it, anyway.

[Via WirelessInfo.com]

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Airbus gets Euro approval for in-flight calling system originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbusaircraftairlineairplanecellphoneflightin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingonairphoneTue, 19 Jun 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Airbus gets Euro approval for in-flight calling system]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/airbus-gets-euro-approval-for-in-flight-calling-system/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/airbus-gets-euro-approval-for-in-flight-calling-system/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/19/airbus-gets-euro-approval-for-in-flight-calling-system/#commentsThe FAA's still hemming and hawing over how to handle the rather controversial issue of in-flight mobile phone use, but that hasn't stopped Europe's Airbus from pushing the issue on its home turf. Having already signed agreements with Ryanair and Qantas to provide service through its OnAir subsidiary, the company's been testing equipment to enable the use of GSM handsets for some time; the European Aviation Safety Agency's apparently pretty satisfied with how those tests have been coming along, too, having just blessed the system for commercial use. European travelers worried that this development is going to lead to a rash of incessant yappers on domestic flights can take some solace in the knowledge that flight attendants will be able to "manage" the service, even shutting off voice entirely while leaving SMS and data active. Look for OnAir service to drop initially on short flights in Western Europe, though Airbus intends to take it global -- if the FAA's cool with it, anyway.

[Via WirelessInfo.com]

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Airbus gets Euro approval for in-flight calling system originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airbusaircraftairlineairplaneeasaflightin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobileTue, 19 Jun 2007 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[JetBlue looking to offer text messaging to passengers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/jetblue-looking-to-offer-text-messaging-to-passengers/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/jetblue-looking-to-offer-text-messaging-to-passengers/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/jetblue-looking-to-offer-text-messaging-to-passengers/#commentsNow that Qantas fliers will be able to get their texts on while in midair, that same capability may soon be coming to JetBlue. It seems that cellular voice conversations are out while in flight these days, but with millions using text messaging, who cares -- right? Anyhoo, JetBlue needs a PR shot in the arm after its flight cancellations fiasco a few months ago, and this may be a way to bandage that black eye. Hey, the carrier has some spectrum to use, so why not use it? With the regional U.S. air carrier having been the first U.S. carrier to offer in-flight live television programing, we're hoping that in-flight SMS is not far behind.

[Via textually.org]

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JetBlue looking to offer text messaging to passengers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>in-flight callingin-flight wirelessIn-flightCallingIn-flightWirelessJetbluemessagingmobilesmsSMS serviceSmsServicetexttext messagingTextMessagingwireless messagingWirelessMessagingThu, 26 Apr 2007 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Qantas' in-flight mobile trial ready to go]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/24/qantas-in-flight-mobile-trial-ready-to-go/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/24/qantas-in-flight-mobile-trial-ready-to-go/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/24/qantas-in-flight-mobile-trial-ready-to-go/#commentsWant to be asked to"switch on" that mobile handset on our next flight from or to Australia? You may be in luck if Qantas' public in-flight wireless trial bears fruit soon. While the FCC still cannot determine whether cellphones cause interference with ground-to-flight communication networks, Qantas is barreling right ahead with a trial. We have to ask: FCC -- what is the deal? C'mon guys -- we're sure some folks have used cellphones while flying and no planes have fallen from the sky as a result. It's been years and years and no movement. Sigh. Anyway, another kinda-important detail from Qantas: the in-flight mobile trial is for wireless email and text messaging only. The airline operator doesn't want rude fliers screaming into their handsets just yet.

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Qantas' in-flight mobile trial ready to go originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airflight wirelessAirflightWirelessCultureflight wirelessFlightWirelessin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobileplane-based wirelessPlane-basedWirelessTue, 24 Apr 2007 21:27:00 EST<![CDATA[FCC hits brakes on in-flight calling (for now)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/22/fcc-hits-brakes-on-in-flight-calling-for-now/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/22/fcc-hits-brakes-on-in-flight-calling-for-now/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/22/fcc-hits-brakes-on-in-flight-calling-for-now/#commentsThe seemingly never-ending "will they or won't they" saga involving the FCC, the FAA, airlines, mobile carriers, and the extraordinarily annoying plane passenger sitting next to you has taken another unexpected turn this week. On the heels of a CTIA study suggesting that so-called "picocells" placed on planes to communicate with phones won't completely eliminate paralyzing interference with ground towers, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin suggesting that the feds should hold off on lifting the in-flight calling ban. Apparently, the big issue revolves around phones operating on bands that aren't supported by the installed picocell; in the absence of that local communication, the handset goes right back to mussin' and fussin' with the traditional towers several miles below -- potentially with disastrous effects to the network and other users, never mind the fact that no one's managed to conclusively prove that aircraft systems won't be affected. For what it's worth, the chairman's suggestion is just that -- a suggestion -- and doesn't prevent the agency's commissioners from approving the move anyway. While we're the first to agree that the thought of a couple hundred passengers yakking away in tight quarters is a starkly frightening one, we're not sure it's the FCC's place to be legislating away annoyances -- let the feds do their technical due diligence, we say. Word has it the picocells can be tweaked to fix the CTIA's concerns, and if that holds up, airlines will decide individually whether to let customers dial (or, at the very least, access data services) mid-flight. From there, we'll all be voting with our dollars.

[Via Techdirt]

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FCC hits brakes on in-flight calling (for now) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlineairplaneCulturefccin flightin-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingInFlightmobileplaneThu, 22 Mar 2007 19:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryanair, Qantas (finally) adding in-flight calling!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/30/ryanair-qantas-finally-adding-in-flight-calling/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/30/ryanair-qantas-finally-adding-in-flight-calling/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/30/ryanair-qantas-finally-adding-in-flight-calling/#commentsWe've got good news for frequent fliers in Europe and Australia: Qantas and Ryanair (this author's personal fav airline for obvious reason) have announced their respective additions of picocells for in-flight calling, texting, and presumably (eventually) also data. Qantas Boeing 767s and Ryanair 737s will begin rolling out AirBus subsidiary OnAir's cellular satellite uplinked connections to their customers as early as June or July 2007 in Ryanair's case, with full rollout on that fleet expected in 2008. We don't know how much further behind launch Qantas is, but obviously they've stated their intentions to enter the in-flight cell arena, so it's only a matter of time. Too bad that Connexion was scrapped just when things are looking up for future-thinking fliers, but maybe, just maybe we finally can all throw out the ages-old argument of cellphones being dangerous for use in flight.

P.S. -Uh, please don't whip out your phones in flight. You do realize that it's still illegal in the US right? Use your phone on a plane that's not parked or taxiing and the FAA and TSA might disembowel you on the spot for the infraction. Kthxbye.

Read - Qantas
Read - Ryanair

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Ryanair, Qantas (finally) adding in-flight calling! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobileonairpicocellqantasryanairWed, 30 Aug 2006 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Ryanair, Qantas (finally) adding in-flight calling!]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/30/ryanair-qantas-finally-adding-in-flight-calling/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/30/ryanair-qantas-finally-adding-in-flight-calling/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/30/ryanair-qantas-finally-adding-in-flight-calling/#commentsWe've got good news for frequent fliers in Europe and Australia: Qantas and Ryanair (this author's personal fav airline for obvious reason) have announced their respective additions of picocells for in-flight calling, texting, and presumably (eventually) also data. Qantas Boeing 767s and Ryanair 737s will begin rolling out AirBus subsidiary OnAir's cellular satellite uplinked connections to their customers as early as June or July 2007 in Ryanair's case, with full rollout on that fleet expected in 2008. We don't know how much further behind launch Qantas is, but obviously they've stated their intentions to enter the in-flight cell arena, so it's only a matter of time. Too bad that Connexion was scrapped just when things are looking up for future-thinking fliers, but maybe, just maybe we finally can all throw out the ages-old argument of cellphones being dangerous for use in flight.

P.S. -Uh, please don't whip out your phones in flight. You do realize that it's still illegal in the US right? Use your phone on a plane that's not parked or taxiing and the FAA and TSA might disembowel you on the spot for the infraction. Kthxbye.

Read - Qantas
Read - Ryanair

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Ryanair, Qantas (finally) adding in-flight calling! originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingonairpicocellqantasryanairWed, 30 Aug 2006 17:04:00 EST<![CDATA[ASiQ promises safe in-flight cellphone use]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/31/asiq-promises-safe-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/31/asiq-promises-safe-in-flight-cellphone-use/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/31/asiq-promises-safe-in-flight-cellphone-use/#commentsIf ASiQ has its way, worries about cellphones bringing down airplanes could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to its still well-guarded system that would let passengers make in-flight calls using their own phone. They're being stingy with deets on account of their patent status, but what we do know is that the system will consist of a device that's connected to your cellphone by either a cable or Bluetooth connection, and that it'll supposedly work with GSM, CDMA, UMTS and EDGE. It also won't be free, of course, but ASiQ says it'll be inexpensive. What's more, they claim they've managed to address the privacy concerns of other people on the plane. We still think the Cone of Silence is the answer, but we're guessing they've cooked up something decidedly less cool (and probably less effective).

[Via textually.org]

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ASiQ promises safe in-flight cellphone use originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplaneasiqcellphonesCulturein-flightin-flight callingIn-flightCallingmobileplaneMon, 31 Jul 2006 16:48:00 EST