"Mobile use is currently prohibited on planes because there is evidence that they interfere with onboard communication and navigation systems.
The proposed system utilises an on-board base station in the plane which communicates with passengers' own handsets. The base station - called a pico cell - is low power and creates a network area big enough to encompass the cabin of the plane.
The base station routes phone traffic to a satellite, which is in turn connected to mobile networks on the ground.
A network control unit on the plane is used to ensure that mobiles in the plane do not connect to any base stations on the ground. It blocks the signal from the ground so that phones cannot connect and remain in an idle state.
Calls will be billed through passengers' mobile networks. "
Related article: - Mobile phone base station aboard Qantas airline enables cell phone usage
