Virigin Atlantic has a service that allows GSM users to remove the SIM card from their phone and place it into a handset built into the seatback in front of them. It's been around since 2000:
http://uk.gsmbox.com/news/mobile_news/all/7474.gsm box
There's no need for messy base stations and related transmission equipment to be built into the plane.
Slashdot Mirror
I call Ned's basement!
Virigin Atlantic has a service that allows GSM users to remove the SIM card from their phone and place it into a handset built into the seatback in front of them. It's been around since 2000: http://uk.gsmbox.com/news/mobile_news/all/7474.gsm box
There's no need for messy base stations and related transmission equipment to be built into the plane.