The Refrain in Spain is Mainly on the Plane

Wed Jun 20, 2007 3:46AM EDT

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Just when you thought cell phones on planes was a dead issue... they bring it back to life! Not on our shores, however. Airbus just received approval for an onboard mobile phone system, but only in Europe. It's unclear how far this ruling extends geographically or where exactly the service will be rolled out, but the EASA has jurisdiction covering the whole of the EU.

Airbus's system, a partnership called OnAir, is GSM-based (of course) and includes capabilities for voice calls and text messaging. Support for services like BlackBerry email are also included in the technology, but it's unclear whether more advanced activities like web browsing will be possible.

Interestingly, pilots will be able to disable the service at any time as well as turning on a "quiet mode" whereby voice services are disabled but text services are not. Sounds like a brilliant plan to pacify both the gotta-stay-in-touch crowd as well as the no-more-noise majority.

Wirelessinfo notes that the service is now being rolled out in smaller aircraft on short flights, though there is no information on how soon the OnAir service will start showing up in actual aircraft. I defer to my European readers to cue is in when things are live... and to let us know if it's really as maddening as everyone seems to be afraid it could become.

Comments on The Refrain in Spain is Mainly on the Plane

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  • 1 Posted by djfrishkorn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    Can't wait until this makes it's way over to the US. My flights would be much more productive and enjoyable if I could text message.

  • 2 Posted by roger_c_clermont on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'd prefer to not hear anyone yammering away while sitting on a plane. Hopefully this never makes it off the ground, pun intended.

  • 4 Posted by njwatson91 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    The two above me are rediculous. If you want quiet, move to the middle of nowhere. People always wonder why we're so far behind Europe and China? It's because people here don't want to change. A word to the wise, CHANGE IS GOOD. Many people would benifit from cell phone use on planes, because your world wouldn't have to come to a dead halt everytime you pass through the door.

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