Airlines to mobile users: Call again later
DUBAI: Airline passengers will have to wait a bit longer before they receive the go-ahead to use their Blackberrys on board aircraft in flight.
For many passengers, wary of being seated next to someone doing business with their mobile phone for several hours on a long-haul flight, the delay will not be particularly bad news.
Last week, the US Federal Communications Commission decided to keep a ban in place on onboard mobile phone calls due to concerns the new systems would interfere with land-based telecommunications. The FCC is concerned that the appropriate technology is not yet in place.
Now Emirates airline has delayed plans – possibly until later this year – to offer onboard mobile phone calling while European and American regulators decide whether to approve the technology.
The company developing the service for Emirates, British-based AeroMobile, has received clearances from 30 countries to offer the technology over their airspace.
Emirates had previously signaled a January launch date for the service, starting with its Boeing 777 fleet.
Ian Jarrett
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