1. GSM On-Board Aircraft John Mettrop Directorate of Airspace Policy
Presented By
John Mettrop
Directorate of Airspace Policy
Surveillance & Spectrum Management

2. What Is GSM On-Board Aircraft
Allows the use of mobile phones on board aircraft
Consists of
Noise floor lifter
GSM Pico-cell
Satellite communications link

3. How Does it Work? BTS = Base Transceiver Station
NCU = Network Control Unit
AGS = Aircraft GSM Server

4. Bands Controlled Connectivity: Control: Future Control:
MHz and MHz (GSM1800)
Control:
MHz and MHz (GSM900 including GSM-R)
MHz and MHz (UMTS UTRA- FDD 2GHz)
Future Control:
IMT extension bands

5. History First brought to ICAO’s attention in 2004
Sept 2006, FMG recommend delay of approval until all issues are resolved
Dec 2006
EANPG adopt FMG recommendation
State letter issued by ICAO Paris office
ECC decision on GSM on-board aircraft
Qantas aircraft starts flight trials
June 2007 Airbus A318 tale number MSN 3009 approved for operational trials in France

6. Issues Identified (1) Technical Aeronautical Radio Regulatory
Interference to On-Board Radio Systems
Effect of Failure Modes on PSU
Need for the Jammer to be turned on during Take of and Landing
Radio Regulatory
Protection of Ground network
Applicability over countries and control of the units

7. Issues Identified (2) Operational
When will the phones have to be switched off
How this can be ensured through airline procedures for announcements etc
Applicability between different fleets and aircraft in fleets
Identification of different types of phones
Interference with/attention to safety messages

8. Issues Identified (3) Human Factors Air Rage
Passengers who do not want to hear others using phones
Those who want to use their phones but cannot
Understanding differences in usage according to aircraft/airline/region
Turning phones off during take-off and landing

9. Issues Identified (4) Others
Applicability in Europe of EU ruling on roaming charges
Implication for other systems

10. Where are We Now? 1 Air France Aircraft fitted but not flying
1 Qantas aircraft fitted and flying
Positive feedback from Qantas trial
Interest from a number of other airlines
Emirates
Ryanair
Etc
European Commission to hold a Workshop on the issue (3/10/07)