Frequently asked questions :

1) What is AeroMobile™?
AeroMobile is a safe, cost effective solution allowing passengers to use their mobile phones and PDA’s whilst in flight. On March 20th 2008, AeroMobile made history by launching the world’s first GSM service into full commercial service with Emirates Airline. The first aircraft to be installed and flown operationally was an Airbus A340-300, A6-ERS – operating on EK 751 from Dubai to Casablanca. Panasonic is a primary distributer of AeroMobile hardware and refer to AeroMobile hardware as eXPhone.

2) Is AeroMobile appropriate to any aircraft type?
Yes, AeroMobile is appropriate to narrow and wide-bodied aircraft. Airbus, Boeing and other aircraft types are all supported.

3) How does the service work?
The service is like a country in the sky. Calls and texts messages are made and received through the use of a Picocell (small base station) on the aircraft. Messages pass from the aircraft through a satellite link and then down to the ground network. To avoid interference with the ground mobile phone network the aircraft is equipped with a system unit which prevents transmissions from the system and handsets reaching the ground.

4) What aircraft-to-ground communications systems will be used?
AeroMobile is the only solution available that works across all current and planned aircraft satellite systems. This includes the current Inmarsat “Classic” L-band satellite system already installed on over 2,000 airliners today, which comprises virtually all long haul airliners. Today, AeroMobile supports GSM voice telephone and SMS text messaging services using the Inmarsat Classic satellite system, and supports GPRS mobile data using the Inmarsat Swift64 system. The same AeroMobile aircraft hardware supports higher bandwidth satellite systems as they become available including both Inmarsat SwiftBroadband and Ku-band services. AeroMobile is a completely future proofed solution!

5) Is it necessary to take an aircraft out of service to install AeroMobile?
No, an AeroMobile installation can be completed during routine aircraft maintenance activities.

6) Is AeroMobile fully certified and in operation today?
Yes, AeroMobile is fully EASA certified and has been in full commercial operation since March 2008.

7) We’ve been told for years that it’s not safe to use mobiles on planes – why is it safe now?
AeroMobile’s system includes technology that manages all of the phones onboard which means that the signal strength of passengers’ mobiles is reduced to an absolute minimum, ensuring there’s no interference to the aircraft’s equipment. However calls can still be made because the signal is safely “controlled” via AeroMobile technology, as it links into the aircraft’s satellite communications systems and is relayed to land.

Comprehensive testing and analysis has proved the technology to be absolutely safe and it has been verified by all necessary safety bodies, including the European Aviation Safety Agency. Using mobiles in flight is safe only if this type of technology is fitted to the aircraft.

8) Can I use my own personal mobile phone onboard the aircraft?
Yes, you can use your own mobile phone just as you would when roaming abroad. AeroMobile is initially launched with GSM phone compatibility.

9) Does my phone need to be international enabled to use AeroMobile?
Yes. AeroMobile is just another country within the existing international mobile phone network. As is the case on the ground, any international roaming between countries requires the phone to be international roaming enabled.

10) When can I use my phone during flight?
The AeroMobile system automatically switches on after take off and is available for use once the aircraft reaches 6,000m/20,000ft. Use of mobile phones is permitted during the cruise phase of flight only, consistent with existing guidelines for use of portable electronic devices. The system automatically switches off at 20,000 feet as the aircraft begins its descent. The exact details of use will be determined by the individual airline.

11) How will social issues be managed during quiet times, such as night flights?
We conducted extensive research into the social aspects of mobile phone usage and this research was carefully considered in the development of AeroMobile. Airlines and their staff operate a standard of etiquette/code of conduct which ensures the comfort of all passengers is not compromised. The cabin crew have access to a graphical, touch sensitive control panel that allows management of all services (SMS, voice and GPRS) in-flight. This capability uniquely allows cabin crew to manage the services offered on specific flights – for instance, on night flights the cabin crew can configure the system to remove any possibility of disruption to sleep and the in-flight guides advise passengers to keep their phones on vibrate mode.

Bear in mind that the novelty of mobiles has faded – the days of proud new mobile owners yelling down their brick-sized phones have disappeared. The overwhelming majority of people know how to behave. In addition, the ambient noise within the cabin on most aircraft is loud enough to cover any phone conversations, assuming the passengers are speaking at a respectable volume.

Finally, don’t forget that the opportunity to make calls in flight by using credit-card swipe phones has been there for many years – since the 1980s - without impacting passengers’ comfort. We’re not aware of any incidents of disruption to fellow passengers using these phones to date. The reality shows that the scare stories have been over-hyped and that passengers are using the system sensibly, as intended.

12) Do I have access to the same services on my phone as I would on the ground?
Yes, you can make and receive calls and send and receive text messages just as you would on the ground. Caller ID will also function as normal. AeroMobile supports GPRS and all other IP based services (e.g. internet). More applications will become possible once higher speed satellite communications services become available.

13) How much does the service cost?
The cost of the calls is comparable to using your mobile when on holiday or working abroad, with rates varying depending on your location and network. The retail price point for the service is set by the passenger’s mobile phone subscription – similar to any other international roaming experience.

14) Do I have to subscribe to use the service?
No, additional subscription is not needed. Simply switch your mobile phone on in-flight to access GSM services, just as you would when travelling abroad.

15) How am I billed for using the service?
The cost of making calls and sending text messages appears on your existing mobile phone bill, just as it does when roaming abroad.

16) I understand that AeroMobile uses the aircraft satellite system. Will satellite delays affect the service?
Although users may experience a very slight voice delay when making calls over the satellite link, this is no different from many telecoms services in use today which also use satellite communications. Indeed, many users of AeroMobile have not noted any delay during usage. SMS text messaging & data services are not affected by this phenomenon.

17) Where is the service available?
As AeroMobile uses satellite communications to relay calls and texts to and from the ground the service is available globally wherever the aircraft flies, including over oceans and wilderness areas. AeroMobile does additionally require approvals or licenses to operate the service over each country which the aircraft flies. The system switches on automatically only where these approvals have been granted.

18) What level of voice quality can I expect?
The quality of voice calls through AeroMobile is similar to any other GSM network. "...I was absolutely amazed with the quality, I was having dinner in a restaurant in Montreal when I received the call, I exchanged text messages and rang a colleague back on the plane..." was the comment from one aviation industry VP that has experienced AeroMobile.

19) Will bad weather affect service?
No, bad weather will not affect AeroMobile service levels. Cabin crew may ask that passengers switch their phones off, however, during turbulence for personal safety reasons.

For any further enquires please contact us at:
info@aeromobile.net