Telecom NZ’s (ASX:TEL) mobile division, XT, has inked deals with Emirates and Malaysian Airlines to provide mobile roaming services on international flights out of New Zealand.
The catch is the initial hefty cost – NZ$13 ($10.41) per minute for outbound calls, NZ$1 per minute for inflight calls, and NZ$40 per megabyte for mobile broadband access.
The roaming service will be offered on key flights to destinations such as Australia, Asia, Europe, the UK and South America,
Telecom head of mobile roaming Niki Chave said the technology works through a combination of mobile transmitters on the aircrafts and satellite networks.
As it switches on automatically above 6,000 meters it does not interfere with an aircraft’s navigation systems.
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