Following Zain in Jordan’s March 2008 announcement that it had successfully rolled out its mobile roaming services on aircrafts, five more operators within the Zain Group - Bahrain, Lebanon, Tanzania, Kenya, and Nigeria have started commercial operations. They will soon be joined by Kuwait, Iraq, Sudan and Uganda. With the new service, Zain will become a market leader and amongst the first few mobile operators in the world to introduce such services to its customers.
The new technology, installed by AeroMobile, was successfully tried by Zain customers, during the world's first commercial flight on Emirates Airlines between Dubai and Casablanca that took place with the new innovative technology.
"We are proud to be the first mobile service provider in Jordan to offer our customers such a differentiated service", said Zain's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Saad Al Barrak who added that Zain has always been a pioneer in introducing top of the line services in Jordan and across the Middle East. "With mobile phones becoming an important part of people's everyday lives, we are delighted to offer our customers the choice of using their own mobile phones to contact friends, family or colleagues during flights and therefore making their lives easier”, he said.
Al Barrak also said that Zain had signed an agreement with AeroMobile early in 2006, having seen the potential this technology has to offer to its customers. "During the initial phase, Zain's customers in Jordan can now stay connected on board of a number of Emirate flights. The service will be later expanded to include all flights on Emirates as well as other airlines that have partnered with AeroMobile" added Al Barrak.
Zain in Jordan's International Roaming Manager Mervette Al-Shihabi said: "Through our partnership with AeroMobile, the company will further enhance its international mobile roaming services". "This follows the successful launch of Zain in Jordan's Marine roaming Services in 2006", she added.
Zain's agreement with AeroMobile includes International Roaming Services for all Zain in Jordan's customers through which they can now enjoy using voice calls as well as SMS services on board. GPRS, Blackberry Services and Push Mail will be also available to customers in the near future.
AeroMobile completed several months of operational trials in an extensive testing procedure in Australia in 2007. The AeroMobile technology ensures that passengers' mobile phones operate at their minimum power settings in order to allow secure use and avoid interference with ground telecoms networks.
For appropriate use of mobile phones on board, all airlines will be providing a list of guidelines, which will include a request for passengers to switch their mobile phones to “silent” mode during the flight. Furthermore, the cabin crew will be able to monitor as well as handle full control of how the system will be used throughout the trip.
Passengers wanting to use the service during the trip will receive a text message welcoming them to the AeroMobile system as soon as they switch their mobile phones on.
AeroMobile's Chief Executive Bjorn-Taale Sandberg said: “We are delighted to deliver a genuine world first technology through Zain's network, a mobile operator that is amongst the first in the world to provide such a unique innovative service to its customers." "We believe that the ability to communicate efficiently, easily and safely when on board flights will become an every-day feature for business and leisure travelers soon" he added.
The European Connection
On June 5th, 2008, the Zain Group began operating its inflight roaming service with OnAir on Air France (on A318s) and as of July, Portugal’s TAP (on A319s). These carriers both fly to various European destinations, with Air France also flying to North Africa and TAP serving the Portuguese Islands of the Azores, Madeira and Cape Verde.
Onboard voice, SMS and GPRS is available (for Zain operators subject to commercial launch with OnAir of course). This service is available above 3,000 meters, but not during take off or landing.
Further airline launches will be announced as soon as launch dates are confirmed.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
VIRGIN GALACTIC ROLLS OUT MOTHERSHIP 'EVE'
July 28th 2008
Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer, Burt Rutan, today pulled back the hangar doors on the new WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft that will ferry SpaceShipTwo and thousands of private astronauts, science packages and payload on the first stage of the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space experience.
The rollout represents another major milestone in Virgin Galactic’s quest to launch the world’s first private, environmentally benign, space access system for people, payload and science.
Christened “EVE” in honor of Sir Richard’s mother, who performed the official naming ceremony, WK2 is both visually remarkable and represents ground-breaking aerospace technology. It is the world’s largest all carbon composite aircraft and many of its component parts have been built using composite materials for the very first time. At 140 ft, the wing span is the longest single carbon composite aviation component ever manufactured.
Driven by a demanding performance specification set by Virgin Galactic, WK2 has a unique heavy lift, high altitude capability and an open architecture driven design which provides for maximum versatility in the weight, mass and volume of its payload potential. It has the power, strength and maneuverability to provide for pre space-flight, positive G force and zero G astronaut training as well as a lift capability which is over 30% greater than that represented by a fully crewed SpaceShipTwo. The vehicle has a maximum altitude over 50,000 ft and its U.S. coast-to-coast range will allow the spaceship to be ferried on long duration flights.
Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson and SpaceShipOne designer, Burt Rutan, today pulled back the hangar doors on the new WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) carrier aircraft that will ferry SpaceShipTwo and thousands of private astronauts, science packages and payload on the first stage of the Virgin Galactic sub-orbital space experience.
The rollout represents another major milestone in Virgin Galactic’s quest to launch the world’s first private, environmentally benign, space access system for people, payload and science.
Christened “EVE” in honor of Sir Richard’s mother, who performed the official naming ceremony, WK2 is both visually remarkable and represents ground-breaking aerospace technology. It is the world’s largest all carbon composite aircraft and many of its component parts have been built using composite materials for the very first time. At 140 ft, the wing span is the longest single carbon composite aviation component ever manufactured.
Driven by a demanding performance specification set by Virgin Galactic, WK2 has a unique heavy lift, high altitude capability and an open architecture driven design which provides for maximum versatility in the weight, mass and volume of its payload potential. It has the power, strength and maneuverability to provide for pre space-flight, positive G force and zero G astronaut training as well as a lift capability which is over 30% greater than that represented by a fully crewed SpaceShipTwo. The vehicle has a maximum altitude over 50,000 ft and its U.S. coast-to-coast range will allow the spaceship to be ferried on long duration flights.
An all carbon composite vehicle of this size represents a giant leap for a material technology that has already been identified as a key contributor to the increasingly urgent requirement by the commercial aviation sector for dramatically more fuel efficient aircraft. Powered by four Pratt and Whitney PW308A engines, which are amongst the most powerful, economic and efficient available, WK2 is a mold breaker in carbon efficiency and the epitome of 21st century aerospace design and technology.
The twin fuselage and central payload area configuration allow for easy access to WK2 and to the spaceship for passengers and crew; the design also aids operational efficiencies and turnaround times. WK2 will be able to support up to four daily space flights, is able to carry out both day and night time operations and is equipped with a package of highly advanced avionics.
Large numbers of VIP’s, media and more than 100 fully signed-up future Virgin Galactic astronauts flew into Mojave for the rollout onboard a new Airbus A320 aircraft specially chartered from Virgin America, the youngest and most efficient US domestic airline, which launched to great acclaim in 2007.
Rutan’s Scaled Composites facility has been strictly out of bounds whilst design and construction has been underway, but guests today were additionally given a tantalizing preview of SpaceShipTwo, clearly visible but heavily shrouded and well on its way to completion, in the smaller of Scaled’s two hangars awaiting its own rollout in 2009. This will be scheduled once WK2 is at the appropriate stage in its extensive test program, which has already begun with ground tests; it is expected to take its first flight in the fall of 2008. The flight test program will be comprehensive even before SpaceShipTwo is carried as a payload for the first time in 2009.
The twin fuselage and central payload area configuration allow for easy access to WK2 and to the spaceship for passengers and crew; the design also aids operational efficiencies and turnaround times. WK2 will be able to support up to four daily space flights, is able to carry out both day and night time operations and is equipped with a package of highly advanced avionics.
Large numbers of VIP’s, media and more than 100 fully signed-up future Virgin Galactic astronauts flew into Mojave for the rollout onboard a new Airbus A320 aircraft specially chartered from Virgin America, the youngest and most efficient US domestic airline, which launched to great acclaim in 2007.
Rutan’s Scaled Composites facility has been strictly out of bounds whilst design and construction has been underway, but guests today were additionally given a tantalizing preview of SpaceShipTwo, clearly visible but heavily shrouded and well on its way to completion, in the smaller of Scaled’s two hangars awaiting its own rollout in 2009. This will be scheduled once WK2 is at the appropriate stage in its extensive test program, which has already begun with ground tests; it is expected to take its first flight in the fall of 2008. The flight test program will be comprehensive even before SpaceShipTwo is carried as a payload for the first time in 2009.
"WhiteKnightTwo represents the apogee of the application of carbon composites to aerospace and all of us at Scaled are tremendously excited at the capabilities of the Mothership for SpaceShipTwo. I believe the vehicle will be developed and sold for a variety of launch applications beyond the initial requirements of our launch customer, Virgin Galactic. We have set up a new business jointly with Virgin, The Spaceship Company (TSC), to develop these vehicles and we very much hope that its efficiency will herald a wake up call to the aerospace industry and the necessity of using new materials and technologies in the future."
Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Galactic added:
"As usual, Burt and the Scaled team have created a beauty and this is a very proud day for us all. The rollout of WhiteKnightTwo takes the Virgin Galactic vision to the next level and continues to provide tangible evidence that this most ambitious of projects is not only for real but is making tremendous progress towards our goal of safe commercial operation.
Virgin Galactic is central to our ambition at Virgin to become the world’s leading group in the operation of energy and environmentally efficient transportation, in the air, on the ground and in space. We arrived here this morning on an aircraft operated by Virgin America, who run the most fuel efficient commercial fleet in the US, to roll out what by most definitions, is the most energy efficient aircraft in history. We are naming it EVE after my Mother, Eve Branson but also because it represents a first and a new beginning, the chance for our ever growing group of future astronauts and other scientists and payload specialists to see our world in a completely new light. I for one can’t wait!"
Sunday, September 7, 2008
HEART OF AFRICA - Titi Adejumo
In the heart of Africa, on the Nigerian terrain, from my world of experience, comes scenes and incidence which cannot be aptly told, only better seen. Anyone who has been too much on the high side of life may find these exaggerative but believe me when I say we sometimes don’t gratefully acknowledge the gift of hope. While there are thousands of us out there mailing, surfing, researching and what have you, there are more individuals out there who wouldn’t mind having these few bucks for a week or two weeks allowance. I’ve realized life really is good when majority could attest to it.
Sometime ago, while studying in one of the classrooms in the evening with keen interest in what I had to cover, there came a soft voice that broke the silence that hung on the air; “excuse me ladies and gentlemen…” This young man’s pathetic story went on for about sixty seconds with articulate grammatical construction, he appalled us all. What I really could not fathom was his being able to speak eloquently with intelligence and still beg for alms. If I remember clearly Wow! Was my misused exclamation for “ah!” or a solemn dear Lord! Showing his left thigh which needed medical operation and it being his reason for having to beg, he walked around collecting individual donations. Feeling uneasy when he approached my seat, and choking with emotions I picked up my wallet to make my own contribution, looking straight into his palms rather than face I let my note make an addition to the meagre sum he already had. He was prompt to express appreciation in the most remarkable way as that which befits a university graduate which he earlier claimed to be. With this and a million thoughts coming, I gently picked my pen up and the rest is what you read.
Earlier the previous month, while chatting with friends in the morning, an old man approached us although he was in search of used cans and bottles, dressed in tattered trouser and smeared shirt, he walked up to my friends and I asking for alms! At such a time as this, I felt the reason underlying this was beyond human comprehension. First he spoke in the native language, and when he switched to well accentuated English Language we were surprised. Seeing the look on our faces he was quick to recite his past achievement. Once a lecturer, formerly a successful contractor, truthfully he mentioned a few other things that I couldn’t register because at that moment I was deep in thought. When he was leaving he left behind two things; emotions in me, and an advice for the future. Life some say is good, but at such a time like this when you see the downfall of the mighty you might be forced to think on what made some better and happier and more confident than the others. Wondering if this old man’s ordeal was as a result of consequence from a wrongly placed decision or choice, then if that was it, could I clearly remember the number of times I’ve made the right choices.
Stories of this sort may seem normal, but being confronted with alms in different places all around my domain, meant something was wrongly placed. From the young graduate who walked into the classroom, to the ex-lecturer who walked about picking empty cans, and bottles alongside begging, then to middle-aged woman living in an uncompleted building next street with no mattress, blanket out there in the cold alone, no family, home, food supply and other things that may be necessary for life.
At moments like this, one could easily pass the blame rather than bear it. The government most times is the accused, but how many times have we poured out the remaining portion of our meal into the dust bin, or bought a snack out of fun not hunger pang this time only to throw it away. I see leftover meal as often as possible, meanwhile there could be a woman next street or a neighbour next door in dire need. Early during the last political dispensation in Nigeria, there were poverty alleviation programs but to my surprise, I realised former Mr President could not alleviate poverty in his ward (locality)! So why wait on the government. I’ve realised for every child in the begging business, old men and women in the trade, long as their reason for doing it is out of no better option or choice we all get daily chance of alleviating what the government cannot completely solve because out there somebody needs me to survive!
I’ll tell you what, where I come from (Nigeria) begging is no joke and so when on the second day I saw a young man with clubbed foot limb towards me anticipating that I’d drop him a note on the carved wood he used to enhance mobility, I just smiled and politely turned him down but here is my reason for smiling, I don’t have money to give but I’m going to tell the world that where am from, its something new everyday and we just might need help.
So, really what have you got in your mind? Let’s read it! We all need each other to survive.
Sometime ago, while studying in one of the classrooms in the evening with keen interest in what I had to cover, there came a soft voice that broke the silence that hung on the air; “excuse me ladies and gentlemen…” This young man’s pathetic story went on for about sixty seconds with articulate grammatical construction, he appalled us all. What I really could not fathom was his being able to speak eloquently with intelligence and still beg for alms. If I remember clearly Wow! Was my misused exclamation for “ah!” or a solemn dear Lord! Showing his left thigh which needed medical operation and it being his reason for having to beg, he walked around collecting individual donations. Feeling uneasy when he approached my seat, and choking with emotions I picked up my wallet to make my own contribution, looking straight into his palms rather than face I let my note make an addition to the meagre sum he already had. He was prompt to express appreciation in the most remarkable way as that which befits a university graduate which he earlier claimed to be. With this and a million thoughts coming, I gently picked my pen up and the rest is what you read.
Earlier the previous month, while chatting with friends in the morning, an old man approached us although he was in search of used cans and bottles, dressed in tattered trouser and smeared shirt, he walked up to my friends and I asking for alms! At such a time as this, I felt the reason underlying this was beyond human comprehension. First he spoke in the native language, and when he switched to well accentuated English Language we were surprised. Seeing the look on our faces he was quick to recite his past achievement. Once a lecturer, formerly a successful contractor, truthfully he mentioned a few other things that I couldn’t register because at that moment I was deep in thought. When he was leaving he left behind two things; emotions in me, and an advice for the future. Life some say is good, but at such a time like this when you see the downfall of the mighty you might be forced to think on what made some better and happier and more confident than the others. Wondering if this old man’s ordeal was as a result of consequence from a wrongly placed decision or choice, then if that was it, could I clearly remember the number of times I’ve made the right choices.
Stories of this sort may seem normal, but being confronted with alms in different places all around my domain, meant something was wrongly placed. From the young graduate who walked into the classroom, to the ex-lecturer who walked about picking empty cans, and bottles alongside begging, then to middle-aged woman living in an uncompleted building next street with no mattress, blanket out there in the cold alone, no family, home, food supply and other things that may be necessary for life.
At moments like this, one could easily pass the blame rather than bear it. The government most times is the accused, but how many times have we poured out the remaining portion of our meal into the dust bin, or bought a snack out of fun not hunger pang this time only to throw it away. I see leftover meal as often as possible, meanwhile there could be a woman next street or a neighbour next door in dire need. Early during the last political dispensation in Nigeria, there were poverty alleviation programs but to my surprise, I realised former Mr President could not alleviate poverty in his ward (locality)! So why wait on the government. I’ve realised for every child in the begging business, old men and women in the trade, long as their reason for doing it is out of no better option or choice we all get daily chance of alleviating what the government cannot completely solve because out there somebody needs me to survive!
I’ll tell you what, where I come from (Nigeria) begging is no joke and so when on the second day I saw a young man with clubbed foot limb towards me anticipating that I’d drop him a note on the carved wood he used to enhance mobility, I just smiled and politely turned him down but here is my reason for smiling, I don’t have money to give but I’m going to tell the world that where am from, its something new everyday and we just might need help.
So, really what have you got in your mind? Let’s read it! We all need each other to survive.
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