First mobile trial on qantas 767

[rpmsol]

I know there are a few threads that mention this trial - but I didn't see one that was dedicated to it.

I've had two chances now to try the AEROMOBILE service - and encountered some problems - and made some observations.

First observations - the 767 using the new pico cell has a the letters GI on it's tail. This may be usefull information if you look at the aircraft befure / while boarding - as you should expect the service.

Both times I got this aircraft were Wednesday morning QF804 MEL-CBR flights.

My mobile (dopod connected via three) did not work. I did manage to send out one SMS, but that appears to be via a ground cell - as I never established contact with the planes unit.

I have got international roaming enabled - but could not 'see' the aeromobile network.

Interested to hear of the success or experiences of others.

 

[littl_flier]

My mobile (dopod connected via three) did not work. I did manage to send out one SMS, but that appears to be via a ground cell - as I never established contact with the planes unit.

It is interesting about this. I have forgotten to turn my phone off a couple of times and the plane hasn't fallen out of the sky. It just raises questions over whether there really are any concerns with mobile phone use interfering with navigation systems.

 

[d15.in.oz]

I have forgotten to turn my phone off a couple of times and the plane hasn't fallen out of the sky. It just raises questions over whether there really are any concerns with mobile phone use interfering with navigation systems.

I forgot to turn off my phone on a flight once. (Set to vibrate only, and placed in hand luggage, over head on a domestic flight.) Half way through the flight, the pilot made an announcement asking passengers to turn off their mobiles…Assuming some stupid person was trying to use their phone, I didn’t check my bag until I arrived. It was then that I was embarrassed to discover, I was the one who had caused the announcement - as my phone had registered a missed call moments before the announcement was made.

 

[simongr]

The plane didnt fall out of the sky though did it

@rpmsol - did the sky fall in due to excessive clicking of people using sms? Were there fights over the ring tone for sms incoming?

 

[SeaWolf]

Better question, you weren't able to get it to work. Was anyone else?

 

[maninblack]

GSM phones have quite a strong signal. You will notice how they interfere with your regular phone if in close proximity and especially loudspeakers. They can interfere with certain electronic equipment on an aircraft if their signal starts feeding through elements of the wiring, for example through the audio system. The Aeromobile system controls mobile phones in its proximity and makes them run on minimal output power, thus preventing them from interfering with the planes electronics. Various transducers in the aircraft may pick up the and be interfered with by a mobile phone signal, even perhaps the pilots microphone or headphones.

 

[markis10]

The service only works with Telstra SIMS at this stage, its clearly mentioned in the onboard info card. As for inflight mobiles causing problems with aircraft controls, its not a myth but a fact with a few reported issues in OZ and many elsewhere.

 

[straitman]

The service only works with Telstra SIMS at this stage, its clearly mentioned in the onboard info card. As for inflight mobiles causing problems with aircraft controls, its not a myth but a fact with a few reported issues in OZ and many elsewhere.

Agree entirely. There is considerable documentation to support that there is a potential problem. Just because it doesn't happen often doesn't mean it can't :!:

To littl_flier and others,


Note the comments above. This is not an urban myth. :evil:

 

[JohnK]

@rpmsol - did the sky fall in due to excessive clicking of people using sms? Were there fights over the ring tone for sms incoming?

LOL!

There won't be any fights because the silent majority is civilised and tolerant of the bad habits of the vocal minority. As usual though, we are the ones that will have to pay the price because some spoilt person feels it is their GOD given right to use mobile phones where ever they want.

 

[rpmsol]

An answer: The guy behind me was able to send and receive SMSs easily.

A clarification: I just got my '3' Bill - and saw an entry as follows:

08 May 09:49pm 61430004010 Send SMS Telenor (Aero), Norway 00:00 1.42​

So it appears that I may have used the service to send a single SMS??​

A comment: I didn't actually dial the number listed on the bill.

Also - I thought the information card on the plane said 'any gprs phone with international roaming enabled - where your service provider has an international roaming relationship with AEROMOBILE' - which is why I expected that 'three' phones would work. Also - my dopod 838 pro is not locked - so should be able to work on any network.​

Another question: If it worked once - and I was billed for it - then why do you think the the signal / coverage meter on my phone said there was no signal for most of the flight.​

regards,
Paul.​

 

[oz_mark]

An answer: The guy behind me was able to send and receive SMSs easily.

A clarification: I just got my '3' Bill - and saw an entry as follows:

08 May 09:49pm 61430004010 Send SMS Telenor (Aero), Norway 00:00 1.42​

So it appears that I may have used the service to send a single SMS??​

A comment: I didn't actually dial the number listed on the bill.

I have had this when roaming before. No matter what number I sent a text to, the same number appeared on my bill. I suspect it was some kind of service/gateway number, but perhaps someone else here knows why.

 

[chrisb]

Also - I thought the information card on the plane said 'any gprs phone with international roaming enabled - where your service provider has an international roaming relationship with AEROMOBILE' - which is why I expected that 'three' phones would work. Also - my dopod 838 pro is not locked - so should be able to work on any network.

Have you used GPRS overseas? Voice/SMS and GPRS roaming are separate and hence for any given carrier '3' may support one but not the other.

A lot of the equipment on board is actually designed to stop your phone connecting to anything other than the onboard cell, so it's unlikely that it was locked onto a ground station.

FYI: Optus phones should now work for SMS and GPRS.

Chrisb.

 

[rpmsol]

I've since spoken to the '3' data support people, and they said:
- '3' have a gprs international roaming agreement with AeroMobile.
- My phone (dopod 838 pro) will not work using standard '3' settings (he couldn't explain why one sms actually worked).
- Need to change GPRS phone settings to 'OPTUS' and then select correct frequency band - to allow gprs roaming to work with Aeromobile. (then switch back to '3' after complete)
- explained that data transfer would cost $30 per MB!

btw: I am persisting because I like to be able to send SMSs while traveling, and am keen to get email (headers) mid-flight, as I would rather action some emails while still in the air than after I land (especially at CBR - when you can't turn your phone on until you are well inside the terminal.)

Also found the following links usefull - mobile phones on planes . AeroMobile
For '3' international roaming costs - Home - Business - Why 3 for my Business - Coverage & speed - International Data Roaming


Thanks,
Paul.