SMS Weblogs / Textually / 2005 / 01 / 27

EU okays Airbus sky mobiles plan

Airbus and SITA, an in-flight communications specialist, have won permission from the European Commission to create a joint venture that will enable travellers to make calls and send text messages, email and use the Internet during flights, reports Reuters.

The creation of OnAir was announced in July, 2004, and the aim was to allow passengers to use their own mobile phones, laptops and personal digital assistants in flight and to be billed through their normal operator.

In September Airbus said tests had shown that mobile phones can be used without interfering with navigation systems and it planned to offer the service from 2006.

Airlines are busy rolling out plans to offer onboard Internet services and Airbus rival Boeing Co, for example, has developed Connexion, an onboard broadband Internet service.

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