Mobile Phones May Soon Be Used On Planes (911 Ahem!)

The technology is to be operated by an Air France plane for the first time in September 2007 and will then roll out across the world, with low-cost operators Ireland-based Ryanair and Malaysia's AirAsia some of the biggest clients. "It's the first time anywhere in the world that a system has been authorised and confirmed for the safe operation of phones and BlackBerry-type devices on aircraft," Lake said. Noise pollution The expansion timetable means European consumers will be the first to be able to use the technology with Air France, Ryanair, British low-cost BMI and Portugal's TAP. Some companies in Southeast Asia and the Middle East are expected to begin installing the OnAir equipment in 2008, but the more complicated markets of Japan and the US will have to wait until 2009. Lake acknowledges that the idea of mobile phones being used in the confined space of an airliner risks making talkative travellers a serious threat to peace. "One wouldn't necessarily want to be sat next to someone who talked for the whole flight," he said. "But the cabin crew have control over the system. If an aircraft is flying overnight, they can decide to de-activate it for example." Related Articles Cellphones-on-planes era poised to begin http://www.newscientisttechnology.com/article/dn8031 21 September 2005 Astronomers criticise plans to allow cellphone use on planes http://www.newscientisttechnology.com/article/dn7493 09 June 2005 Flight from reality http://www.newscientisttechnology.com/article/mg16722523.100 19 August 2000 Weblinks Sita http://www.sita.aero/default.htm European Aviation Safety Agency http://www.easa.eu.int/home/index.html Paris Air Show http://www.paris-air-show.com/en/2/ Link to Article: http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn12123-mobile-phones-may-soon-be-used-on-planes.html [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on June 26, 2007]

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