AMTA has welcomed this week’s proposal by the Australian Communications and Media Authority to permit the installation of in-flight mobile phone systems on domestic and international services by Australian airlines.

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, said ACMA’s proposal would give business and other travellers in-flight access to the rapidly growing array of data services via 3G technology on aircraft.

“AMTA supports the expanded opportunity for consumers to have access to mobile telephony while undertaking air travel, “he said. “We are mindful of the need to address so-called etiquette issues to ensure that customers use their mobile phones in a responsible manner and are considerate and aware of situations where using their mobile phone might cause problems to others. It will be important for airlines to manage the introduction of in-flight mobile use to ensure that passengers can enjoy the benefits of their mobile phones,” he said.

“The normal rules apply in the air as they do in minding your mobile manners on the ground when it comes to people using their mobiles in a responsible manner and to be considerate and aware of others.”

The Australian Communications and Media Authority proposed to permit the possession and installation of in-flight mobile phone systems by Australian airlines for domestic and international services.

‘Australia led the world when it trialled in-flight GSM mobile phone services in 2007,’ said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman. ‘There is growing recognition by regulators worldwide that in-flight mobile phone services can be deployed without interference to existing telecommunications services.’

ACMA is proposing to amend the Mobile Phone Jammer Prohibition (the Notice that prohibits the general use of mobile phone jammers in Australia) to permit the use of pico cell technology used by in-flight mobile phone systems.

Trials of the technology that have been conducted over the past 18 months have been assessed as highly successful by the companies providing the service and did not result in any interference complaints to ACMA.

ACMA is unequivocally committed to protecting existing mobile phone services from interference while enabling innovative new technologies and services such as in-flight mobile phone services.

ACMA is seeking public submissions on the proposed changes to the Mobile Phone Jammer Prohibition (the Notice). Copies of the draft Notice may be obtained at ACMA’s website and will be published in the Gazette today.

Written submissions must be lodged with ACMA by no later than 17 November 2008.