AirCell Inc. said it moved one step closer toward offering mobile-phone services aboard aircraft with a new patent from the U.S. Patent Office. The company said the patent marks a key step toward commercializing its service, and it will work to sell its technology to airline carriers.
“With this positive response to our patent application, AirCell is positioned to lead the effort to offer airborne cellular services, using personal cell phones on aircraft,” said Bill Peltola, AirCell’s vice president of sales and marketing. “Everything is in place for a successful rollout to the market: a cost-effective technology is now available, passengers are demanding more affordable voice and data communications, and the airlines are interested in offering new value-added services.”
The company said it is working with the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration to complete testing on its technology, which the company said will allow mobile-phone users to place calls aboard aircraft. The company said its service will be on a commercial aircraft by the middle of next year.
AirCell has worked for years to commercialize its technology. The company’s announcement comes as airlines such as American Airlines and Continental Airlines have recently relaxed their mobile-phone restrictions.
