Test flight of new technology on AA flight out of DFW is
successful
Qualcomm Incorporated, pioneer of Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) digital wireless technology, and American Airlines today
successfully demonstrated inflight voice and data communications
using standard commercial CDMA cellular phones.
Passengers flying at normal altitude on a commercial American
Airlines aircraft placed calls to international destinations and
received calls dialed to their own mobile phone number as if they
were on the ground.
This proof-of-concept demonstration
flight originated out of DFW Airport, headquarters for American
Airlines. Standard cellular communications was supported by a
small in-cabin CDMA cellular base station connected to the
worldwide terrestrial phone network by an air-to-ground GlobalStar
satellite link. Passengers on the American Airlines aircraft
included American Airlines customers, members of the media and
government representatives. During the approximately two-hour
flight, attendees were able to originate and receive multiple calls
and text messages on normal mobile phones.
The information gathered during this proof-of-concept
demonstration flight will be used to verify the quality,
convenience, and safety of communications with personal CDMA mobile
phones carried by passengers on commercial aircraft.
"We are pleased to work closely with American Airlines to
successfully complete this proof-of-concept demonstration of
in-flight use of standard CDMA cell phones," said Dr. Irwin Jacobs,
chairman and CEO of Qualcomm. "We believe airline passengers
will welcome this major extension of communications coverage with
their own cell phone to the cabin of a commercial airplane flying
comfortably at high speed to a chosen destination. They will
have the comfort of knowing they can be reached easily in a home or
business emergency, even though the caller does not know they are
in flight."
"This event showcases American Airlines and Qualcomm as
technology pioneers and market leaders in their respective
industries," said Monte Ford, CIO of American Airlines.
"Leveraging the proven benefits of Qualcomm's 3G CDMA technology,
this proof-of-concept event is the first step in bringing in-cabin
wireless services to American Airlines' customers."
QUALCOMM has positioned itself to lead the research and
development of mobile phone solutions while continuing to work
closely with the aviation industry to ensure the use of safe and
reliable communications within aircraft cabins. The company
brings a deep understanding and extensive experience in developing
wireless standards, including 3G CDMA, to research and
participation with aviation standards groups, such as the Radio
Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA), and regulatory bodies,
including the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA).