Thaindian News

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) — Singapore Airlines on Tuesday said its planning to offer phone calls, text messages and Wi-Fi Internet on long-haul flights.

The carrier said it will debut a range of onboard communication offerings as early as the first half of 2011, providing passengers with access to Wi-Fi Internet and mobile services under a multi-million-dollar collaboration with in-flight connectivity provider OnAir.

The mobile services will enable customers to make and receive voice calls, send text messages with their GSM-compatible mobile phones and send and receive email messages easily on smart phones.

The company said the services will be introduced progressively on flights operated by the Airline’s A380, A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The carrier was one of the pioneers to introduce Internet connectivity on board its Boeing 747-400 aircraft in 2005.

“Unlike the earlier trial introduction of an Internet service, this suite of features is for full implementation and we are pleased to offer this as an added choice to our in-flight program,” said Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Product and Services, Mr. Yap Kim Wah.

“Traveling for business or pleasure, they are just a click or a text message away, with access to live information, social networking and news updates, as well as in-flight shopping.”

According to Singapore Airlines, customers who use the mobile services will see their usage reflected in the monthly bills from their telecommunications provider where international GSM roaming rates apply. For Internet access, customers can sign up for an access package upon logging in to the system.