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Tue, Jan 22, 2008

Air France Begins Inflight Cell Phone Trials

Only Text, Email Allowed To Start... But Voice Calls Are Coming

Somebody had to go first. Air France recently began flying an Airbus A318 equipped with the Mobile OnAir system, and is conducting a six-month test in Europe in which passengers are allowed to use their mobile phones during the flight.

Seat-pocket brochures instruct passengers on how to use the system. Users are charged normal international rates, which appear on their regular bills.

In the first phase of the test, only text and pictures or e-mail can be sent. After three months, they'll open it up to receiving and originating voice calls.

If the Air France test is successful, the technology may go on to be tested in other countries. For better or worse, however, it's unlikely the United States will be among them -- as the Federal Communications Commission has declared repeatedly airliners will remain cell-free zones.

FMI: www.airfrance.com, www.onair.aero

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