"Mobiles to take off on Aussie flights"

[Russell D]

Looks like there might be a change in the winds...

Mobiles to take off on Aussie flights

By Angela Harper, AAP July 30, 2010, 12:02 am

Aussies will soon be able to "tweet" from their domestic airline seat after the communications watchdog gave the green light for mobiles to be used during flights.

The new ruling by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is set to revolutionise airline travel and bring Australia into line with other countries that have enjoyed the technology for some time.

After close consultation with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which has raised no technical objections to the new arrangements, airline passengers may soon be able to text, check email and use data during flights.

Although some telcos have concerns the market will be dominated by an international carrier that regulates communication through a device called pico-cell, ACMA has said it will consider alternative technologies, as long as they don't compromise safety and meet approved standards.

"The Australian Communications and Media Authority has finalised radio communications licensing arrangements to facilitate mobile communication services on aircraft," ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman told AAP in a statement.

"The licensing arrangements will allow airlines to deploy mobile communication services on their aircraft through special on-board systems, should they choose to do so.

"In developing these arrangements, the ACMA was conscious of the need for harmonisation with aviation safety regulations and the protection of terrestrial communications networks from interference."

Terrestrial networks refer to the transmission vehicle telecommunications use to transmit mobile phone communication and calls to connecting directly to terrestrial networks are not authorised under the licensing arrangements.

The pico-cell control unit blocks onboard mobile handsets from receiving signals from terrestrial base stations and the pico-cell acts as a base station and transmitting to terrestrial networks via satellite.

So far, only one carrier, Aeromobile, a subsidiary of Norwegian telco Telenor, is able to provide the service, which will cost users international roaming charges - despite the communications taking place in domestic skies.

Texts alone can be five to 10 times the price of standards texts.

In its submission to ACMA, Telstra said the proposed licensing scheme would artificially restrict mobile traffic to one provider aboard each aircraft and deny Australian consumers access to the country's highly competitive mobile market.

"We would welcome the ACMA and the airlines allowing people to use their mobile devices in flight, but consumers should not be restricted to any one technology or provider," Telstra told AAP.

"Australia has a thriving and highly competitive mobile market and there is no reason why it shouldn't extend to the skies as well."

Vodafone Hutchison Australia, in its submissions, also cited the importance of non-exclusive agreements for carriers.

ACMA does advise that should alternative, safe methods of mobile communication on aircraft be proposed for commercial operation in the future - including those that access Australia's terrestrial networks - the ACMA would move to consider those methods.

V Australia had announced plans to offer onboard SMS and data services subject to the ACMA making appropriate regulatory arrangements (which the licensing arrangements now facilitate), ACMA said.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it would not comment on another government agency however, ACMA revealed it consulted with the ACCC on the use of the control unit device which prevents mobile phones connecting with their carrier.
The ACCC advised that where a genuine safety issue exists, the use of the onboard system to force the handsets to connect only to the onboard base station wouldn't constitute anti-competitive behaviour.

[Andrew P]

is set to revolutionise airline travel

a revolution !!! a bit of poetic license taken here

[Greg McDonald]

I really hope they never allow onboard mobile phone calls. I can't imaging anything worse than a 14 hour flight with someone prattling away on their mobile beside you.

[Russell D]

Well in addition to all of the above, what also worries me are the following:

• Use of mobiles during landing/takeoff (aka how would it ever be policed??)
  
• Use of mobile phones adding to the number of distractions during vital safety demonstrations prior to taxi/takeoff.
  
• Also, what ever happened to the old "could cause interference with the aircraft systems" line always mentioned on every flight prior to departure? I mean, the use of mobiles basically says to the traveling public, that if it's ok for mobiles to be used on-board, any other electrical item should be no different.

[Matt N.]

Originally Posted by Russell D

Well in addition to all of the above, what also worries me are the following:

• Use of mobiles during landing/takeoff (aka how would it ever be policed??)
  
• Use of mobile phones adding to the number of distractions during vital safety demonstrations prior to taxi/takeoff.
  

I'm only guessing but it might be like the IFE in that it can be turned on and off at certain times.

A plane (or the country and nowadays less so) are the only places you can get away from mobiles!

[Skip Fulton]

The aircraft is fitted with a "built-in cell tower" to control transmissions. These transmissions are sent from the aircraft via satellite to ground stations. The link via satellite is what makes the cost so much higher - effectively being roaming costs.

The built-in cell tower in the aircraft takes signals from the flight deck. This ensures the system is inoperative below a certain altitude eg: 15,000-20,000ft. The built-in cell tower also intercepts the transmission signals inside the cabin and thus reduces greatly any affect on aircraft systems.

The system is also able to control the types of transmissions sent. Eg: any combination of data, sms and/or voice. I agree with the comments above about the potential distractions in relation voice calls in the cabin.

[damien b]

from news.com.au

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/q...-1225899483597

At least it looks like no talking on mobiles in flight for our domstic carriers which is good to see.

[Sarah C]

I hope the carriers never allow talking on flights. Even with quieter cabins in the 380 and 787, the noise of the engines would not drown out the conversations people would have. I still don't understand why you really need to talk to someone. Can't you do without it for a few hours?

If airlines can allow SMS and email capability, do you really need to physically talk to someone anyway?