Passengers on Qantas domestic routes will soon be able to make and receive in-flight calls and text messages, as well as access data services on their own mobile phones and data-enabled PDAs such as BlackBerrys.
The new services were introduced as part of an evaluation of AeroMobile's services. The evaluation will take place early next year, on a Boeing 767 aircraft flying short-haul domestic routes with a duration of between one and six hours.
AeroMobile's aircraft pico cell technology ensures the safe operation of all mobile phones in flight and is provided to Qantas in conjunction with Panasonic Avionics Corp. and Telstra.
For the Qantas evaluation, AeroMobile will provide all voice, text messaging and GPRS data services using currently available and operational satellite communications services provided by Inmarsat.