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Onboard mobile phone

The “Mobile OnAir” onboard mobile connection service has been available on one of Air France´s A318 aircraft since December 17th ,2007. During a 6-month trial period, you might be one of those enjoying the opportunity to test this new service while traveling in Europe!

 The “Mobile OnAir” trial moves into its 2nd phase: a 3-month test of voice calls from April to June 2008
 Objective: to assess passenger satisfaction
 How can I benefit from this service?
 Do I need to be concerned about any health issues?
The “Mobile OnAir” trial moves into its 2nd phase: a 3-month test of voice calls from April to June 2008

During this period, you can use your mobile phone or PDA on board!
You can make and receive telephone calls and send and receive SMS and MMS. You can also take advantage of your flight time to read and reply to your e-mails!

Objective: to assess passenger satisfaction

Air France wants to measure user adoption and passenger satisfaction with regard to this new service.
Is there a positive or a negative effect on your onboard comfort? Are your onboard experience and peace of mind affected? Do you think this service is of a high quality, useful and easy to access?
The test results will help Air France decide whether or not to equip its fleet with this new onboard mobile phone system. It will also allow Air France to decide whether such a system should be limited to the exchange of data or extended to voice calls.

How can I benefit from this service?

  • Conditions of use

    You can use this service if:

    - the aircraft is at cruising speed and the country you are flying over authorizes use of the system. At these times, the “Switch off your mobile phone” sign will be turned off,
    - your mobile phone uses GSM technology (the European telephone standard),
    - your telephone subscription (or pre-paid card) allows the phone to be used abroad,
    - your operator has signed an agreement with OnAir (supplier of the onboard mobile connection system). If you want to find out if you can benefit from this service, please contact your mobile phone operator.

  • What about hone billing?

    Calls, e-mails, SMS and MMS will be billed to you by your usual operator. Rates are comparable to those paid when you call or send SMS, MMS or e-mails from abroad.

  • How does it work in technical terms?

    - A miniature GSM relay is installed on the aircraft.
    - A modem enables communications signals to be sent to a satellite which then transmits them to a ground-based station.
    - Communications are then instantly forwarded on to your usual telephone network.
    - There is no risk of interference with the onboard equipment or ground-based networks as the GSM relay is located inside the aircraft, near your mobile phone and the mobile phones themselves emit only a low power signal.

  • What is the process for calling or sending an SMS or MMS on board?

    - You must not use your telephone during take-off or landing.
    - Pay close attention to the illuminated signs: your device must be switched off when the sign is lit up.
    - In-flight communications are treated as international communications, even if a flight is linking 2 cities in the same country. In order to make a call or send an SMS or MMS, dial the international prefix (+) or 00 followed by the country prefix and the number of the intended recipient (without the first 0).
    - Here is an example of the format to use if you want to send an SMS or MMS to a French mobile phone: 00 33 6 23 45 67 89.

  • How do you send an e-mail?

    In the same way as if you were on the ground.
 
What if I experience a technical hitch?
Do I need to be concerned about any health issues?

The equipment was designed with your health in mind. Thanks to the proximity of the miniature relay, mobile telephones emit at very low power. The wave emission level is 1,000 times lower than that of GSM signals on the ground.
Radiation levels are well below those recommended by the WHO (World Health Organization).