'The captain has switched on the no mobile calls light'
Silicon.com Published: Monday 7 August 2006
'No mobile' signs are to replace the outdated 'no smoking' signs above airline seats with the introduction of in-flight mobile phone services in Europe next year. Air France will be the first airline to trial the satellite-based technology early next year, followed by the UK's BMI and Portugal's TAP.
The technology, developed by Airbus and Sita joint venture OnAir, will allow passengers to make in-flight mobile calls and send text messages on short-haul flights across Europe at a cost of around $2.50 per minute.
The overhead 'no mobile' signs will be retrofitted to old aircraft and fitted to new Airbus planes coming off the production line, which will be used by airlines to provide the in-flight mobile phone service.
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