John Mettrop

1
GSM On-Board Aircraft

• 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
• 1710-1785 MHz and 1805-1880 MHz (GSM1800)
• Control
• 876-915 MHz and 921-960 MHz (GSM900 including
  GSM-R)
• 1710-1785 MHz and 1805-1880 MHz (GSM1800)
• 1920-1980 MHz and 2110-2170 MHz (UMTS UTRA- FDD
  2GHz)
• Future Control
• IMT extension bands

5
History

• First brought to ICAOs 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
• 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)