TAM Brazilian Airlines has launched in-flight mobile services on one of its Airbus A321s, with more aircraft to be equipped next year.
The carrier is using technology provider OnAir to offer its passengers mobile phone access onboard domestic flights between Guarulhos (Sao Paulo), Recife, Natal, Fortaleza and Porto Alegre.
TAM says that the service will allow up to eight passengers to use their mobile phones at any one time, with the service activated once the aircraft reaches an altitude of 4,000 metres.
Passengers will also be able to access emails and the internet through smartphones, although note that this will be through GPRS networks, rather than broadband internet. Users will be charged according to international roaming rates.
TAM says it plans to equip more aircraft on domestic routes with the technology next year.
For more information visit tam.com.br, and for a closer look at the future of in-flight connectivity, see Stay Connected in the November 2010 issue of Business Traveller.
Report by Mark Caswell
