With ACN Mobile you can now make and receive calls and text messages on your own mobile phone whilst at cruising altitude!

Airlines | Technical Information | Roaming Charges

AeroMobile is an ACN roaming partner network and operates an international aeronautical communications network on the 1800Mhz frequency for use of GSM phones in commercial aircraft.

AeroMobile are equipping airlines who wish to offer in-flight cellular mobile communications services to their passengers, and with the necessary regulatory and safety approvals, they will offer voice, SMS and GPRS services to ACN’s roaming enabled customers as they fly. You’ll be able to simply switch your mobile phone on in-flight to access GSM services, just as you would on the ground when traveling abroad. 

In Australia, AeroMobile has undertaken limited trials with Qantas by offering SMS and GPRS data service only. Other airlines flying from Australia, such as Emirates already offer in-flight GSM voice and SMS services to passengers. 

The AeroMobile service is available on a limited number of aircraft and is only operational whilst at cruising altitude. Where the AeroMobile service is available on an aircraft ‘AeroMob’, ‘AeroMobile’ or ‘901 14’ will be displayed on your phone’s screen.

AeroMobile’s aeronautical GSM network is an 1800Mhz 2G service. Compatible handset or device is required to access network. 3G services including video calling are not available. GPRS service (including MMS) scheduled for introduction on selected Emirates aircraft in late 2009 (subject to change). Introduction of service on V Australia aircraft is currently proposed but subject to change.

The AeroMobile equipment is installed inside the body of an airliner and controls the power of all phones in the aircraft to their minimum levels, thus eliminating any risk of interference with flight safety systems and flight communications. AeroMobile relays calls to the ground via satellite communication meaning the service is available globally wherever an equipped aircraft flies, including over oceans and wilderness areas (subject to national regulatory approvals). 

The AeroMobile service is operated by Telenor Mobile Aviation, a subsidiary of Telenor (Norway) and ARINC. For more information please visit the AeroMobile website at www.aeromobile.net. High-level technical information and news regarding rollout of the service are available from this website.

Roaming charges apply for use of the AeroMobile service, including flights within Australian airspace. All outgoing calls are charged at the International voice call rate for Roaming Zone 5. Incoming calls are charged at the incoming airtime rate for Roaming Zone 5. In-country rates do not apply.

All calls are charged with an initial increment of 60 seconds and subsequent increments of 30 seconds. All rates are listed in Australian dollars. Roaming rates and the zone assignment for are subject to change without notice, due to fluctuations in international currency exchange rates and changes to charges imposed by overseas partner networks. No charge applies to receive an incoming SMS.