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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Emirates 'to debut mobile calls' | Emirates 'to debut mobile calls' |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Dubai-based Emirates will become the first airline to allow passengers to make mobile phone calls on its flights. | Dubai-based Emirates will become the first airline to allow passengers to make mobile phone calls on its flights. |
| It has signed a deal with Aeromobile to provide the technology that allows mobiles to be safely used on board. | It has signed a deal with Aeromobile to provide the technology that allows mobiles to be safely used on board. |
| Emirates expects to launch the service on one of its Boeing 777 planes as early as January next year. | Emirates expects to launch the service on one of its Boeing 777 planes as early as January next year. |
| The news comes just months after Ryanair announced it planned to launch a similar service in mid-2007 - subject to regulatory approval. | The news comes just months after Ryanair announced it planned to launch a similar service in mid-2007 - subject to regulatory approval. |
| Extension planned | Extension planned |
| "We believe that the ability to communicate efficiently, easily and safely when on board flights will become an essential feature of business and leisure travel," said Aeromobile president David Poltorak . | "We believe that the ability to communicate efficiently, easily and safely when on board flights will become an essential feature of business and leisure travel," said Aeromobile president David Poltorak . |
| "We are currently talking to a number of other airlines about extending the service to their fleets." | "We are currently talking to a number of other airlines about extending the service to their fleets." |
| The Sussex-based company believes the in-flight mobile calls market could deliver revenues of as much as £1.5bn by 2010. | The Sussex-based company believes the in-flight mobile calls market could deliver revenues of as much as £1.5bn by 2010. |
| Customers hoping to use the service on board Emirates will be charged at rates "comparable to international tariffs", the airline said. | Customers hoping to use the service on board Emirates will be charged at rates "comparable to international tariffs", the airline said. |
| In an effort to head off any complaints from fellow passengers about the use of mobiles, their airline will encourage people to use silent or vibrate modes on the phone. | In an effort to head off any complaints from fellow passengers about the use of mobiles, their airline will encourage people to use silent or vibrate modes on the phone. |
| Cabin crew will also be able to control the system at any time, and select operating modes appropriate for certain flights - such as selecting text only operation mode for overnight flights. | Cabin crew will also be able to control the system at any time, and select operating modes appropriate for certain flights - such as selecting text only operation mode for overnight flights. |
| Have Your Say: Would you use your mobile on a plane? |