Airborne telephones: background and the European position

Two different approaches to provision of in-flight passenger telephone services, often referred to generically as airborne public correspondence (APC), have evolved. In one case satellites are used to provide the radio bearer between the aircraft and the ground, whereas the so-called `terrestrial´ systems use direct air to ground radio links. Many of the world´s leading airlines are implementing plans to provide satcom services. A satellite-based APC system is the only practical solution to providing APC coverage for aircraft on transoceanic routes. Terrestrial systems provide a cheaper solution where aircraft fly mainly over land masses, particularly on domestic routes in Europe and North America. Developments in the standardisation and implementation of the European TFTS (Terrestrial Flight Telephone System) are outlined