Etisalat today announced that mobile customers will now be able to use their phones on board specially equipped aircraft.

About 55 Etisalat customers trialed this service recently on an Emirates airline flight from Dubai to Casablanca. This trip was the first flight in the world to fly commercially with this unique telephone roaming service, said a statement.

Essa AlHaddad, chief marketing officer, Etisalat, said: “We signed with AeroMobile early in 2007 having seen the potential for the service. Through this partnership we enhance our international mobile roaming services once again.  This follows the successful launch of ‘Etisalat Roaming Marine Service’ in 2006. Now our customers can stay always connected on Emirates airline aircraft as well as other airlines that partner with AeroMobile.”

Etisalat’s agreement with AeroMobile includes international roaming services for all Etisalat mobile subscribers in which they can enjoy using voice calls and SMS on board. GPRS, Black Berry Services and Push Mail will also be available in the future.

AeroMobile has already completed over nine months of operational trials in an extensive testing procedure in Australia in 2007. The AeroMobile technology ensures that passenger mobile phones operate at their minimum power settings to allow secure use and to avoid interference to ground telecom networks. – TradeArabia News Service