Airborne Communication Takes Off

Anywhere, anytime communication is rising to new heights. Voice, data, and fax communication is becoming commonplace not only for mobile users on the ground, but also in the air. In North America, Claircom Communications has emerged as a leader in marketing its air phone system.

Recently, Claircom—a subsidiary of McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.—added Lufthansa to its impressive list of customers. Deutsche Lufthansa A.G., based in Cologne, Germany, has decided to install Claircom’s Airfone System in 48 planes in its international long haul fleet.

The system involves adding an AirOne Cabin Telecommunication Unit on board each plane, along with telephone handsets for each Business and First Class seat. In addition, handsets will be installed in the bulkheads for use by all other passengers.

Calls made while in-flight will be routed through the worldwide INMARSAT satellite service, supplied by the SKYPHONE company. SKYPHONE is a partnership of British Telecom, plc, Norwegian Telecom, and Singapore Telecom.

Claircom has similar fleet agreements with Air France, American Airlines, Northwest, Alaska, and Southwest Airlines.

How it Works

Claircom’s AirOne system uses radio frequencies to communicate to one of over 100 ground stations located throughout the United States (with more in Canada and Mexico).

The signal received at the ground station is routed to a switching office located in Jacksonville, Florida. From there, a standard call is established through the regular telephone network.

On the plane, call switching is performed by a Claircom device know as the Cabin Telecommunications Unit (CTU). The CTU is an all-digital switch that is designed with a standard VME backplane architecture, enabling cards from multiple vendors to be added.

The PABX module (Private Automatic Branch eXchange) is capable of supporting up to 1,776 circuits, many more than can be used for off the aircraft communication at any time. This capability, however, is ideal for potential future intra-airplane use, such as calling from one seat to another.

The handset includes a three-line alphanumeric LCD display. A RJ11 jack is included in the handset enabling users to connect mobile computers for data and fax exchange. Future plans include the possibility of features such as live radio and video, along with receiving voice calls from the ground while airborne.

The current service carries a premium charge at two dollars per minute, with a two dollar call set-up charge.

For more information, please contact Todd Wolfenbarger at Claircom Communications at (206) 828-1851.