ACMA gives in-flight cellphone services the go-ahead

Stuart Corner
Saturday, 31 July 2010 11:40

IT Policy - Regulation

The ACMA has given the green light to the operation of cellphones and other communications devices aboard commercial aircraft, leaving it to the discretion of the airlines as to whether voice services are offered.

Communication will only be permitted via on-board systems: direct communication between cellphones, etc and terrestrial cellular networks will remain prohibited.

Also, the use of such systems will require co-ordination with the existing mobile operators: spectrum licensing arrangements for aircraft will reflect those on the ground: in areas where spectrum is allocated by spectrum licences (ie most of the coverage areas of the cellular mobile networks) aircraft operators will have to reach agreement with the terrestrial licence holders. In other areas where spectrum is class-licensed or allocated by apparatus licences, operator will be able to use equipment covered by the class licence or will be able to apply for apparatus licences.

(Cellular services in some remoter areas use apparatus licences, for example Optus recently acquired from the ACMA almost 1000 apparatus licences for its cellular network, each relating to one specific base station.)

Announcing the new regime, ACMA chairman Chris Chapman, said: "In developing these arrangements, the ACMA was conscious of the need for harmonisation with aviation safety regulations and the protection of terrestrial communications networks from interference. The ACMA has consulted closely with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which has raised no technical objections to the new arrangements."

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