The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has finalised licensing arrangements which will allow passengers to use their mobile phones in flight.
Under the new arrangements, mobile communication services on aircraft will be governed by apparatus and class licenses. ACMA says it has consulted closely with CASA for the new licensing arrangements, with no technical objections raised.
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“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,” said ACMA chairman Chris Chapman.
V Australia has signalled that it intends to offer SMS and data access on board its 777-300ERs, utilising AeroMobile picocell equipment, which can be integrated with the airline’s Panasonic eX2 entertainment system. Qantas has also previously utilised AeroMobile equipment on board a domestically operated Boeing 767-300 to trial the technology and is expected to now roll it out in other domestic aircraft.
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