April 11, 2007
Mobile phone base station aboard Qantas airline enables cell phone usage
QANTAS airline passengers will be able to use their mobile phones in flight within the next few weeks, reports CourrierMail.ca, if the trial run is successful - with a system that should even please the FCC, as it would not interfere with cellular networks on the ground.
"A Qantas spokesman said the aircraft had a modification on board that resembled a mobile phone base station.
"It's called a Pico cell, which is a very low transmitting device which will essentially allow the aircraft to act like a country in the sky so you put your mobile on to international roaming and off you go," he said.
Passengers will be restricted to text messaging and sending e-mails in deference to their fellow passengers and will be charged international rates.
Incoming calls will be restricted."
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