May 5, 2008

T-Mobile USA launched its first commercial high-speed wireless service in New York City, and plans to expand the service to 20 to 25 other major U.S. markets by the end of the year.

April 23, 2008

The battle over cell phones in schools ended with the state's appeals court voting to uphold a ban on cell phones in public schools in New York city.

April 15, 2008

Cuban government has eased restrictions on buying cellular phones for the first time and also allowed registering those they had held illegally.

April 10, 2008

The FCC has approved a new nationwide alert system that will send text messages to cell phones to alert Americans when an emergency, disaster or attack occurs. The plan itself will deliver three different types of charge-free text alerts to mobile phone users.

April 8, 2008

The European Union has approved in-flight cell phone use for all of its 27 member nations. An on-board base station will relay phone signals to either a satellite or ground towers.

April 2, 2008

AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega said that AT&T was expecting a 3G iPhone within the next few months., when asked about plans to sell a third-generation (3G) iPhone.

Air France Introduces Cell Phone Services

Air France has kicked off its very first in-flight mobile phone service trial onboard a single Airbus A318, which operates on European routes. Air France has joined hands with OnAir for the same. With this service, at first passengers will be able to send and receive text and picture messages along with emails through phones with internet access.

But, the second phase of this six-month trial will see passengers get the ability to make and receive calls too. It is also restricted to cruising altitude, once the new illuminated sign ‘Switch off your phone’ is turned off. The system is activated at 3,000 metres, which is about 10,000 feet.

Factors such as noise and disturbing telephone ringing are apparently going to be dealt with, as Air France claims that it will adjust the service “to maintain passengers’ comfort and well-being,”. Though it yet remains unknown as to how the company plans to do the same.

(December 24, 2007)