Emirates Airline is on track by year-end to be the first carrier in the world to allow its passengers to make calls using their own mobile phones with the AeroMobile system. Earlier this year, AeroMobile, a joint venture between U.S.-based Arinc and Norway’s Telenor, completed a successful trial of the system with Australian carrier Qantas, and it is now ready for full revenue-service use.
The pico cells that allow use of personal phones without causing interference with flight deck equipment are to be installed on Emirates’ Boeing 777s and Airbus A340s during C-check maintenance stops. The pico cell system allows mobile phones to operate with significantly reduced power output. Calls will be routed through Inmarsat Swift Broadband channels–each of which can support 14 users simultaneously. Cabin crews will be able to switch off the service at certain times during flights, or allow users to send and receive text messages but not make voice calls.
