Du, a telecom company of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will launch in-flight mobile services for its mobile users from early 2008, local newspaper Gulf News reported.

    Du has entered an international roaming agreement with the Britain-based AeroMobile, a provider of mobile phone services to airlines, to provide its mobile users with in-flight connectivity.

    AeroMobile will offer Du's mobile users in-flight access to their mobile phones and PDAs. Designed to enable mobile phones to operate at minimum power level, the system has no impact on any of the aircraft systems or subsystems.

    AeroMobile will enable users to use their handsets the same wayas when traveling abroad. Passengers can make and receive calls, in addition to sending and receiving text messages.

    "We understand customers would like to stay connected with their family members, friends and business associates even while airborne. With the introduction of this service, Du will add comfort and value to customers through state-of-the-art communication modes," Du's CEO Osman Sultan said.

    Established in December 2004 with a capitalization of 4 billion dirhams (about 1.09 billion U.S. dollars), Du launched its services on this February and thus broke the monopoly of Etisalat, the only telecom operator in the UAE since 1976.

    The UAE Federal Government held 40 percent of its shares, while Abu Dhabi-based Mubadala Development Company and Dubai-based Tecom Investments owned 20 percent each. The other 20 percent is held by public shareholders.