ABU DHABI, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Nawras, a major mobile operator in Oman, has launched in-flight roaming services, Oman Daily Observer reported on Tuesday.

    The service allows Nawras postpaid customers to use their mobile phones on flights equipped with the communication system by AeroMobile, a Britain-based provider of mobile phone services to airlines.

    By this system, Nawras customers can make and accept calls as well as send and receive SMS during their flight, according to the report.

    The service, which begins with selected flights from Emirates Airline and will be extended to more flights as well as a number of other airlines in the future, is operated in cruise altitude only and not during take-off or landing.

    "With AeroMobile's complete global coverage, our customers can safely use their own mobile phones to call and SMS just as they would on the ground," Ali Raza Jafri, team leader of Nawras International Roaming, was quoted as saying.

    Launched in March 2005, Nawras is Oman's second mobile operator after Oman Mobile. It is a joint venture between Qatar's telecom operator Qtel, European telecom company TDC and several Omani partners.