| Onboard Mobile Phone Usage | PC Power Outlets |
| Electronic Equipment | Onboard Telecommunications |
Onboard Mobile Phone Usage
You may now use your mobile phone:
- Before departure until the aircraft doors are closed provided the aircraft is parked at an aerobridge.
- After landing if the aircraft is proceeding to an aerobridge. The cabin crew will advise you when your mobile phone may be switched on and used.
Note: All types of mobile phones must be switched off during take-off and landing.
Flight Mode
Flight mode capable mobile phones and portable digital assistants (PDAs) may be used inflight provided the phone has been switched to flight mode before take-off. Flight mode enables you to operate the basic functions of your mobile phone or PDA while the transmitting function of your phone is switched off. You cannot make phone calls or send SMS whilst in flight mode.
For information on whether your mobile phone or PDA has flight mode capability contact your handset manufacturer or service provider.
Evaluation of new technology to allow you to stay connected inflight
Qantas is evaluating a new technology that will enable customers to send and receive
e-mails, access the Internet and send and receive text messages from their own mobile phone, GPRS data enabled personal device (such as BlackberryTM and PalmR TreoTM) or laptops with GPRS capability inflight.
The evaluation will occur over a three-month period on one Qantas aircraft operating on Australian domestic routes, commencing mid April 2007.
Qantas has teamed up with Telstra, Panasonic Avionics Corporation and AeroMobile in the evaluation to bring about a solution that will allow appropriate communication devices to be safely used inflight and not interfere with the ground network.
Qantas and its partners are working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and other agencies to ensure the system operates in accordance with Australian regulatory requirements.
Customers have been prevented from using mobile phones inflight because of the possible impact on aircraft avionics and the potential for interference with ground cell networks. This evaluation includes the installation of a picocell on the aircraft to safely monitor and manage the transmission levels of mobile devices, ensuring non-interference with both aircraft systems and ground based mobile communications systems.
Qantas will be one of the first airlines in the world to offer this service so our customers can use their time more effectively inflight. The service will be simple to use.
To send and receive text messages, customers will require a tri-band or quad band GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phone with an active account with a telecommunications service provider who has a roaming agreement with AeroMobile and International Roaming activated with their service provider.
To send and receive emails, customers will require a GPRS equipped phone, PDA, or laptop with an active email account.
Electronic Equipment
All electronic devices, including PDAs, laptop computers, handheld games and toys must be switched off during take-off and landing.
Portable electronic equipment such as laptop computers (including WiFi and Bluetooth enabled devices), PDAs (without mobile phones), personal music (for example, iPods) and electronic game devices may be used when the aircraft seat belt sign is extinguished after take-off and until the top of descent.
Radio transmission using personal communication devices (including walkie-talkies, two-way pagers, or global positioning systems) is prohibited at all stages of flight, as it may interfere with the aircraft's communication and navigation systems.
PC Power Outlets
PC power is available in First and Business on all international B747-400 and A330-300 aircraft. This system provides 110V AC (60 Hz) power and accepts most household power plugs including: Australian 2 or 3 pin, European 2 pin, Japanese 2 or 3 pin and USA 2 or 3 pin. Customers using UK 2 or 3 pin plugs need to use an adaptor.
In order to assure the safety of all users of this service, the available power is limited by Airworthiness Regulations. The PC power is configured to provide a maximum of output of 75 watts. If the limit is exceeded by a user, which is possible on new version PCs the power to the user will be interrupted and can only be reset on the ground.
Onboard Telecommunications
On all B747-400 and A330-300 aircraft you can send and receive text messages, make inflight telephone calls and perform seat to seat calls all from the comfort of your seat with our inflight telecommunication service.
Our SMS service* operates in a similar way to sending a message from your own mobile phone, except you'll be using the inflight entertainment telephone handset. The SMS service allows you to send messages of up to 160 characters to any SMS compatible mobile phone or e-mail address. Provided your flight has not yet landed, the recipient of your message will be able to reply directly to you. The cost to send and receive each message is US$1.90.
On the reverse of your in-seat handset is your own personal SITA SATELLITE AIRCOM telephone* that connects you to friends, family, and business associates across the globe. The air to ground calls will be charged at US$5.00 per minute to anywhere in the world.
You can make and receive calls from your in-seat telesphone to other passengers on the same aircraft. The calls are free of charge however you will be required to activate your telephone handset to receive incoming seat to seat calls.
Full operation instructions for these services are available in your Total Entertainment guide in your seat pocket.