Don't think my little put-put training plane will ever get it though!
Actually, it was trialled initially in Alaska on light aircraft. I believe the Aussies are looking at mandating it for all aircraft in the near future.
http://www.nbaa.org/ops/cns/datalink...ink-notice.pdf
As you can see in the link above, it is now mandatory on certain North Atlantic Tracks also, along with CPDLC (controller pilot data-link communication) which allows comms with ATC or a radio operator.
http://www.pprune.org/pacific-genera...-casa-lie.html