In-flight phone use on horizon

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BERLIN (AP) -- Siemens AG said yesterday that it has signed a contract with aircraft maker Airbus SAS to develop technology that would allow passengers to use their mobile phones during flights.

The German company will provide technology based on the global system for mobile communications (GSM) wireless standard for Airbus to integrate into the electronics systems used on its aircraft, Siemens said. The service is to be introduced next year.

The companies plan to fit a base station, linked to the terrestrial GSM network via satellite, behind the ceiling panel of a plane. The station will receive signals from passengers' mobile phones, personal computers and organizers.

Siemens said the technology will allow passengers to use their electronic devices throughout a flight without interfering with the aircraft's equipment.