First Inflight Mobile Calls To Be Relayed Via Inmarsat in January
Emirates Airlines is poised to become the first airline to introduce a commercial in-flight cellular phone service via Inmarsat from January 2007.
Dubai-based Emirates says it expects to launch the service on board one of its Boeing 777s in the New Year, once all necessary approvals have been granted.
Emirates chairman and chief executive H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: "As the world leader in innovation for our customers, we are delighted to offer the choice of mobile phone use to passengers who would like to make contact with friends, family or colleagues while flying with us."
The UK-based aircraft system controls the power output of all mobile phones down to the minimum level allowing their safe use onboard aircraft. It also includes a number of features that will allow users to talk or text discreetly and maintain the privacy of other passengers.
Passengers will be instructed and encouraged to switch phones to silent or vibrate mode at all times throughout the flight. Up to five calls may be made at any one time, the same number as for the current Inmarsat-based in-seat phones used regularly by Emirates' passengers.
President David Poltorak said: "We are delighted that Emirates has taken the lead in introducing our service across its fleet. This is a historic step forward for the aviation industry." |

Archives: (2005 ) / (2006)
28 November 2006
Inmarsat to Relay First
Inflight Mobille Calls in
January 2007
28 November 2006
Inmarsat Plays Key Role
In Rescue of Velux 5
Yachtsman
23 October 2006
First SwiftBroadband Traffic
Sent From Gulfstream Jet
9 October 2006
Top News Channel
CNN Praises Inmarsat
BGAN Solution
27 September 2006
Inmarsat Wins Award for
Best Universal Service
Offering
31
August 2006
European Airline Embarks
on Inmarsat Based
Cellphone Calling
30 August 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Supports
Phase One Relief in Lebanon
18
August 2006
Norwegian Aid Team
Utilizes
Inmarsat
BGAN
for Landmine Clearance
15 August 2006
Greenland Explorer Praises
Inmarsat
BGAN During
Climate Study
8 August 2006
International Rescue
Committee Utilizes Inmarsat
BGAN for Relief Links
20
July 2006
Mobile
phones prepare for
take-off on Airbus with
Inmarsat
Swiftbroadband
19
July 2006
Kon-tiki
Replica Arrives
Safely in Polynesia Using
Inmarsat Fleet F77
12
July 2006
Telefónica
Extends BGAN
Distribution Across Globe
11
July 2006
TCP
Accelerator Doubles
BGAN E-mail Speed
4
June 2006
Opening
of Kenya Centre
Fulfills Africa Maritime
Rescue Gap
30
May 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Utilized
in Aftermath of
Java Earthquake
26
May 2006
Inmarsat
C Alert
Saves Fisherman
24
May 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Relays
Reports from Everest Team
23
May 2006
Inmarsat
Supports
Surinam Flood Relief
17
May 2006
Inmarsat
Low-Cost
Crew Calling Sparks
World Cup Fever
17
May 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Chosen
by Teenager on
Everest Conquest
15
May 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Goes
Global Across the Americas
10
May 2006
Inmarsat
RBGAN Supports Disabled Mountaineers
28
April 2006
Inmarsat
F77 Selected by South Africa Navy
28
April 2006
Inmarsat
RBGAN Provides Photos of Africa
Charity Work
21
April 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Utilized in Greenland Climate Study
6
April 2006
Inmarsat
BGAN Poised for Launch Across North
& South America
17
March 2006
Canada
Boosts Inmarsat Support for Army & Navy
13
March 2006
Lightning
Strike Drama as Volvo Yachts Reach Brazil
13
March 2006
Inmarsat
Keeps Mudslide Rescue Teams Online
13
March 2006
Inmarsat
Extends Lifeline to Niger's Migrant Workers
6
March 2006
Volvo
Yachts On-Course After Mid-Ocean Drama
3
March 2006
Showtime
for Inmarsat
BGAN as it Prepares
To Go Global
21
February 2006
BBC
Reports From Mudslide Disaster Via Inmarsat BGAN
20
February 2006
HNS-9201
BGAN
Terminal Gains Inmarsat
Type Approval
23
January 2006
Inmarsat's
Final Milestone
for BGAN Expansion in
the Americas
16
January 2006
Inmarsat
A Completes
Satellite Switch in AOR-W
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