AeroMobile Reports "Significant" Use of Mobile Phone Service in Qantas Trial

AeroMobile says its in-flight mobile phone service has been used by 11,000 Qantas domestic passengers since the Australian airline began a trial offering in April.  Passengers can use their personal phones for text services, but not yet for voice calls.

The U.K.-based service provider, which is a joint venture between ARINC and Telenor, and an Inmarsat partner, says usage levels have been "significant" on the B- 767 on which the GPRS (general packet radio service) text messaging and mobile data service is being evaluated.

The flights vary from one to five hours, but AeroMobile believes they give an "excellent indication" of potential passenger requirements for these services on longer flights as well.

Dave Poltorak, AeroMobile's president said: "Passenger feedback has been overwhelmingly positive to the reality of being able to safely use their mobiles when flying, validating AeroMobile's technology and business model."

Feedback came mainly from business travelers and frequent flyers, but AeroMobile also reports interest from leisure passengers.  09-10-2007.

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