New Delhi: BT Mobile today launched a communications technology that allows airline passengers to make and receive calls by extending the Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) network to commercial aircraft. BT Mobile Connect enables passengers to use a seat-mounted handset as a `proxy' cellular phone operating via the Inmarst satellite network, ending a significant perceived threat to aircraft control systems security. The service was unveiled on Wednesday in Virgin Atlantic's inaugural flight to New Delhi.As per a release sent by the company, BT's new Mobile Connect service will enable virtual GSM roaming to and from passengers' seats on specially-equipped airliners in any airspace world-wide. Using Mobile Connect, the passenger's cellular phone number is temporarily routed to the in-seat handset, allowing its use as it it were the passenger's cellular phone. Mobile Connect also bills the call charges directly to the cellular phone account, thus simplifying all payment. The cost of calls via Mobile connect will not greatly exceed that of some international GSM roaming calls on the ground.
BT's new service is exclusively available on aircraft equipped with BT's Skyphone satellite communications service. Incoming calls will be signalled by a silent alert on the video screen and a discreet ringing tone in the passenger's headset. Other passengers cannot be disturbed by the ringing tone.
BT is making the service available to leading mobile phone operators around the world. Mobile operators like, BT Cellnet, Vodafone, Orange in the UK and Orange India, have already signed up to offer the service.
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