Ryanair, an Irish budget airline, said on Wednesday that it will begin to equip its entire fleet of airplanes next year with mobile phone service from communications firm OnAir, and customers will be able to place calls as well as send text and e-mail messages while aboard flights, the Associated Press reports via MSN Money.Ryanair plans to start the installation on half of its fleet in late 2007, and the remaining planes will get mobile service beginning in early 2008, according to the AP.The airline’s rates will “mirror international roaming charges,” and its customers will be able to employ their own phones and handhelds, the AP reports. Ryanair will share some of the profits OnAir derives from calls placed during flights, according to the AP.Michael O’Leary, Ryanair CEO, said cash generated via the mobile service will allow the airline to continue offering low prices for tickets, and that he expects the firm to double its current yearly number of fliers—approximately 40,000 annually—by the year 2012, the AP reports. Currently, 23 European countries are serviced by Ryanair’s 360 routes, according to the AP.Check out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content brandpost Rebalancing through Recalibration: CIOs Operationalizing Pandemic-era Innovation By Kamal Nath, CEO, Sify Technologies Jun 08, 2023 6 mins CIO Digital Transformation brandpost It’s time to evolve beyond marketing to create meaningful metaverse moments Insights on the results of the Protiviti and Oxford University survey: Executive Outlook on the Metaverse, 2033 and Beyond By Kim Bozzella Jun 08, 2023 6 mins Digital Transformation feature 10 hottest IT jobs for salary growth in 2023 The demand for tech workers hasn’t slowed down, as rising salaries reveal the most sought-after tech professionals for 2023, according to data from Dice. By Sarah K. White Jun 08, 2023 8 mins Salaries IT Jobs Careers interview Oshkosh CIO Anu Khare on IT’s pursuit of value The specialty truck maker’s IT chief sees tech-enabled transformation being fueled by a relentless focus on strategic fit and customer value — and passionate business involvement. By Dan Roberts Jun 08, 2023 9 mins Automotive Industry Manufacturing Industry IT Strategy Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe