Siemens today said it has signed a deal with aircraft manufacturer Airbus SAS to develop network gear that will enable passengers to use their mobile phones during flights. Siemens will provide a GSM-based system that Airbus will integrate with the electronics systems of its airplanes. The system will use an on-plane base station which will connect to a terrestrial GSM network via a satellite connection. The two companies plans to launch the in-flight cell phone system in 2006. No financial details of the partnership were released.
For more on the Siemens, Airbus in-flight cell phone deal:
- check out this story from AP