A French aeronautics and defense communications company Thales announced that they will provide satellite technology where customers will be able to use mobile phone and wireless Internet services in flight. The Topflight Satcom Satellite Unit product is the result of a successful joint venture between Airbus and the Netherland-based technology company SITA Information Networking Computers. It has the capability to uplink communications to Inmarsat PLC's 14 series satellites. According to OnAir, Air France will introduce OnAir in the first quarter of 2007, making it the first airline to allow customers to use their mobile phones in flight. How does it work? If the plane reached 10,000 feet, users will be able to use any kind of mobile phone to send sms, e-mail and even making important calls. Having a mobile phone with GPS capability is pretty fun if it works in a airplane.

[via cellular-news]