Within months European airlines will begin offering passengers the chance to use their cell phones during flights.
David Coiley of Airmobile says "we are ready to roll out the service immediately and we think this is the start of what will be a billion dollar business and it is a service that consumers should expect to be getting."
Government regulations, however, will prevent the service from being used anywhere in North America, even if people are travelling on a jet equipped with the necessary gear.
David Jeanes of Transport 2000 says safety on aircrafts trump everything.
"The government is very concerned to ensure safety. While this may be a very good service for consumers and airlines want to offer it, I don't think we will see it allowed for some time," he said.
Transport Canada tells CTV Ottawa that they are not about to consider any changes to the current ban on using cell phones on planes. Officials say they also intend to stop the service from being provided while aircraft are in Canadian airspace.
The technology was developed by Ottawa based EMS Satcom, who says their equipment, in fact, reduces any safety risks that might be posed by a cell phone.
The equipment that allows the new service rides on the plane, picks up your cell signal and sends it to a satellite, which relays the signal to stations on Earth.
Gary Hebb, EMS general manager, says "the rest of the world is going to go with cell phones being used on airplanes, but not here."
Hebb says if laptops become permitted, it will still give the company a chance to implement the technology in Canada.
Perhaps the best known jetliner to have EMS Satcom equipment is Air Force One. Military and corporate jets all over the world also use the gear.
The company says it expects to install 200 systems by early next year.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Paul Brent
