Emirates "To debut mobile calls"

[6_DoF]

Well done EK. I will never fly with you again.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6127052.stm

If its not the Locals constant phone calls, it will be the Loud American who just can't talk quietly.

[Al Fakhem]

I'll second this sentiment. Of course, there will only be viable options as long as other carriers do not introduce the same service.

Call me Mr. Cynical, but it strikes me that the use of mobile phones - once forbidden on board for reasons real or otherwise (see debate on Pprune) - is now fine as long as the airline can make money out of it.:mad:

[divingduck]

You must be joking...I heard this on the radio in Dubai this afternoon...

Forget trying to sleep on flights now...everyone will just have to have their damned phone on H24:ugh: Texting each other, babbling sh!te to all and sundry and **** everyone else on the flight:suspect:

Of all the stupid ideas in a world of stupid ideas, this takes the biscuit:mad:

Hopefully it will be just on inter gulf flights, otherwise any airline that advertises NO Mobiles, will be inundated with pax.

dumb dumb dumb

[Outta Heresoon]

Don't worry guys. I'm sure all calls made or recieved on the flight will be routed through Etislut and charged at a premium, on top of the premium long distance rates back to Dubai then outbound again, so it will be prohibitively expensive for the average person. People will be afraid to turn their mobiles on during flight for fear they may get an incomming call they have to pay for! I'm sure it will be cheaper to use the Sat phone.:rolleyes:

[Kamelchaser]

My biggest concern (apart from of course being kept awake by some tosser shouting into his phone about how good his glass of blubbly is at 3 in the morning) is the increase in air rage incidents that our cabin crew will have to deal with because of this stupid decision. As if our crew don't have to put up with enough shyte as it is, without much if any support from the company. They will be abused by the tossers when the system is not working properly (or when it's in "text only" mode), and will be abused by the passengers that the tossers keep awake with their inane calls and stupid ring tones. Stupid, stupid, stupid decision. I for one will be encouraging everybody I know to write this as a comment on the customer feedback forms.

[skytrax]

I think this is gonna cause a lot of problems. I cannot imagine how noisy the flights will be with all the mobiles on. With 200-300 people on board you'll always have one mobile ringing during a flight. There ll be a lot of complainings and problems, esspecially in the premium cabins, where people are paying a lot of money to enjoy a sleep on a long haul.
Emirates'd rather offer internet connection such as Etihad.

[A300Man-2005]

Totally agree with Kamel - stupid, stupid, stupid decision. No more EK for me.

[MungoP]

Whatever the cost... don't bet on the locals not using it. U only have to look around you when driving here to see how addicted they are to their cell-phones.. appalling bloody drivers even when not engrossed on the phone... murderous when they are. Simple answer.. leave EK to the locals and the bat-brains who think they're impressing their fellow travellers.

[Wiley]

That's it... despite all the resistance training I've been given over many long years, I fear I will at at last fall victim to Stockholm Syndrome.

When I'm called to deal with the first 'air rage' case as some hapless individual snots a mobile phone user deep in the bowels of cattle class, my sympathies are most definitely going to be firmly with the attacker.

[Al Fakhem]

There are sufficient on-board phones installed on EK aircraft -so that urgent phone call can be made at any time today.

The biggest problem is that somewhere as you fly eastbound from Europe, they stop teaching people the basics about telecommunications at school. The result is that these people believe that the louder they shout into their mobile phones, the easier they can be heard over a large distance. :ugh:

It only seems to get better again when you reach Japan.

[chinawladi]

You forget that it's not that they want to be heard on the other side of the line. They just want to mark their presence here. Therefore the reason for shouting, otherwise they would never stand out of the crowd, and the reason for the idiotic driving while yelling or nobody would realise the tasteless tuning of their Nissan Patrol.
Just as i apprehend a flight full of barking locals, i am just as scared of a flight full of annual leave taking Philippino maids, if it tends to be too cheap to yak inflight.
Maybe it will show to be a hit with some, but it will certainly drive away Europeans, Ozzies and Americans.
But does EK still need them?

[krisgnair]

The cost will be in the range of USD2.3 to USD2.5 per minute for the voice calls and 60 cents per SMS.
Anyhow its not an economically fesible for the airlines because of the high cost involved in installing this system. Furthermore the business model consists of different players such as Aeromobile,Imrasat and the Cell phone provider and what ever revenue is generated has to be shared beteen these parties and the airline. So at the end of the day the revenue generated from this service is very low. What the airline gets is that it can enhance its product.
But we have to wait and see how many really want to travel with such airlines offering this service. In this forum itself many people aready stated that they will think twice before choosing Emirates.
Time only says whether In-flight mobile telephony, will have the same fate of Connexion by Boeing a 1 billion dollar project which finally was only worth 150-200 milion.

[poorwanderingwun]

EMIRATES AIRLINES NOTICE TO CELLPHONE USERS

Before using your cell-phone be aware that fellow passengers will not be impressed by or interested in your banal conversation either in style or content.

It is most likely that you will be considered a public nuisance and tolerated in the same vane as an unruly child.

In the likely event of physical attacks on cell-phone users by fellow passengers in the form of accidently spilled hot coffee the perpetrator of the attack will be treated with full sympathy and understanding of the cabin crew

If, as is likely, you are unable to read this please ask for assistance

[Left Wing]

imagine the chatter in english,arabic,french other 20 different languages...this is only in biz...

cant even begin to think cattle class on a 777-300ER all the way to JFK :{ :{ :{ :{ :{ :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: := :yuk:

[goofy76]

To half the passengers on EK its nothing new anyway. About two months ago between LHR and DXB i passed a lady sitting forward of R5 door who was deeply engrossed in a conversation on her mobile phone. At my first request she refused to turn off her phone and only at my insistance did she do it .. and then pleaded ignorance. At the time we were flying over Turkey.

But to be honest, im dreading the day when its made open to all. No one will bother to turn off their phones so even while they're asleep their phone will be ringing away in the hatrack or elsewhere.

[bone]

Amazing,that she managed to pick up a consistent signal at 35000 ft(about 7 miles) at 500 knots(+/-) in a sealed and pressurised aluminium tube over Turkey!Mate, you should have enquired as to what phone she was using .I would want to own a phone like that.....:hmm: Nice one!

[FlyingCroc]

They used to call on cell phones since years. Remember September 11 2001, this cell phones worked just fine :E

[goofy76]

And if you've ever left your phone switched on by mistake then you will receive welcome messages from every telephone company of the countries you fly over enroute.

[FlyingCroc]

I think it is a different system just because you cannot use your mobile phone in the aircraft.

[sec 3]

that's a "crock of !!!!!", Goofy's right.

[FlyingCroc]

Do you think American Airlines would put millions of $ in a system if you could call without it. The system works with satellites. :ugh:



American Airlines and QUALCOMM Complete Test Flight to Evaluate In-Cabin Mobile Phone Use

* Print Version


Proof-of-Concept Event Highlights Safe and Reliable Mobile Phone Technology Using CDMA on a Commercial Aircraft

FORT WORTH, Texas and SAN DIEGO — July 15, 2004 — QUALCOMM Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), pioneer and world leader of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) digital wireless technology, and American Airlines, the world’s largest carrier, today successfully demonstrated in-cabin voice communications using commercially available CDMA mobile phones on a commercial American Airlines aircraft. Through the use of an in-cabin third-generation (3G) “picocell” network, passengers on the test flight were able to place and receive calls as if they were on the ground.

The proof-of-concept demonstration flight originated out of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. During the approximate two-hour flight, passengers were able to place and receive phone calls and text messages on their mobile phones. Passengers included members of the media and government representatives.

A small in-cabin CDMA cellular base station on the plane, that uses standard cellular communications, was connected to the worldwide terrestrial phone network by an air-to-ground Globalstar satellite link.

The information gathered during this proof-of-concept demonstration flight will be used to further research into the quality, convenience and safety of communications with personal CDMA mobile phones carried by passengers on a commercial aircraft.

“We are pleased to have worked so closely with American Airlines to complete this proof-of-concept demonstration for the in-flight use of 3G CDMA technology,” said Dr. Irwin Jacobs, chairman and CEO of QUALCOMM. “Together, we have anticipated the future needs of wireless subscribers in the airline industry and are aggressively driving the delivery of innovative solutions to meet those needs.”

“Today, American Airlines and QUALCOMM showcased their strength as technology pioneers and market leaders in their respective industries,” said Dan Garton, executive vice president of marketing for American Airlines. “American is committed to researching and providing innovative, cutting-edge products and services that enhance our passengers’ traveling experience and give our customers what they value. Even though commercial availability of cell phone use in flight is approximately 24 months away, American Airlines knows that our customers want to stay connected and this proof-of-concept event is an important step in bringing in-cabin wireless services to our customers.”

As a leader in technology, American Airlines continues to explore communication solutions that include broadband wireless connectivity and cellular communication.

QUALCOMM is well positioned to lead the research and development of mobile phone solutions while continuing to work closely with the aviation industry to ensure the use of safe and reliable communications within aircraft cabins. The Company brings a deep understanding of and extensive experience in developing CDMA technology to research and participation with aviation standards groups, such as the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), and regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

American Airlines is the world’s largest carrier. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional carriers serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with almost 4,200 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American’s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the one world Alliance.

QUALCOMM Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on the Company’s CDMA digital technology. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., QUALCOMM is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2003 FORTUNE 500® company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market® under the ticker symbol QCOM.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the Company’s ability to successfully design, develop the product discussed, the extent and speed to which such products are accepted in the market, change in economic conditions of the various markets the Company serves, as well as the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2003, and most recent Form 10-Q.

QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

QUALCOMM Contacts:
Patty Goodwin, Corporate Public Relations
Phone: 1-858- 651-4127
E-mail: [email protected]

Other Contacts:
Billy Sanez, Corporate Public Relations
American Airlines
Phone: 1-817-967-1577
E-mail: [email protected]

[Fluke]

The confusion has already begun as evident by some of the ignorant letters in the 7 days newspaper yesterday. The views mostly against the introduction of personal cell phones but very light on factual infomation.
At Emirates we have been told nothing (not unusal), but corporate communications have said that only 5 phones will work at a time, it will only work on the new 777 aircraft and that the crew will have the ability to turn the system on or off.
I think this will burden the crew with passenger enquires as to why their cell does not work, how come we were allowed to do this last time but not this time ? and of course, lost phones at the end of the flight.:}

[crazy_pilot]

this is the most bizzare thing i have seen coming from EK, i rather equip pas with a laptop or similar device which can hookup to the net rather than a mobile phone, what a nusense. EK if you are listenig then stop this non sense now before it gets out of hand....

[guidoknigge]

The use of your own mobile will be more expensive then the in seat satphone - and nobody ever used that!

[Al Fakhem]

The irony of all this is that we have EK going ahead with leading telecommunications technology, yet the UAE itself is medieval when it comes to providing even the most basic facilities, such as VOIP.

Perhaps this is a cunning plan :ugh: to try and hoodwink the world into believing Dubai is actually a modern place.....

[Skeleton]

Thought this was a joke when i read it first.

Amazed, It will be utter carnage.

How will they pick the 5 who can use there phones?? .... Draw Lots, etc? :)

The crew can turn the system off.... lol ..... more carnage.

People will use there own mobile rather than the satphone. Its a phallic extension in the middle east!!

It will be like flying in a chicken run. :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

[Al Fakhem]

Of course, there is always the other angle.

Given the dismal availability and reliability of EK's latest IFE system, allowing pax to make mobile calls will at least give them something to do whilst their personal screens remain dark.:D

[miss petal]

Nightmare just around the corner, extra work, extra complaints...

aargghh... I demand a pay rise!!!

[Panama Jack]

Ah, the beautiful sound of silence on long over-water sectors (when out of range of all ground-based radio-wave signals). :ok:

[4HolerPoler]

No such luck bud; the Picocell will work through the existing Satcom system so it'll work just fine over the pond.

4HP

[Maverick]

Apart from the already mentioned hassles to passengers & crew on-rest, has any aviation authority/airline manufacturer proven that the use of mobiles phones on radio frequency will not interfere with the fly-by-wire signals, Radio Aids & Instrument Landing Systems. With the new generation aircrafts depending on electronic signals from side-sticks/control columns for flight controls, this COULD pose a threat to aviation flight safety unless proven otherwise [announcements made on flights to switch off mobile phones as they could interfere with the electronics on board aircraft is what is the normal practice]. IF allowed, and if different from the one we use on ground, in-flight mobile technology must be ensured safe and proven before getting the green signal from FAA/CAA/JAR etc....