Shortly after ACMA had given the green light for cellular communication technology to deployed in aircrafts, QANTAS and Jetstar have quickly put the brakes on any such deployment in their fleet.
In a blog entry earlier this week I touched on how this technology could become a nuisance particular on longer international flights. At the moment, most international flights would have in-seat telephony that would work in the same way (except billed by credit card for each call) but I have never seen anyone use it nor receive a call on one (as to whether or not that is possible is another matter). Mobile phones might change the dynamics a bit especially if people can receive calls and messages in flight (whilst at the moment they cannot).
QANTAS and Jetstar seem to agree that this technology would create an annoyance for its customers. It only takes one inconsiderate person to disturb a great many in their immediate vicinity. Maybe these carriers don’t trust their customers to posses the proper etiquette and I don’t blame theme.
Meanwhile, Emirates and V Australia seem to be happy to deploy this technology on their international flights but if I did fly with them I doubt very much that I would use it.
I think this will be a topic to keep your eyes on especially when you are planning your next holiday as you would hate to shell out for an expensive seat and then have to put up with a loudmouth for the whole flight.
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