New long-haul carrier V Australia is due to launch the eXphone onboard cellphone system jointly developed by Panasonic Avionics and AeroMobile before the end of the year, it was announced here this morning.

eXPhone integrates AeroMobile’s mobile phone technology into Panasonic’s in-flight entertainment systems, supporting phone, text messaging GPRS data services and Internet access. The partners say that the resulting system is lighter and less complex than separate onboard cellular and IFE capabilities.

V Australia expects to begin operating a Boeing 777-300ER called Didgeree Blue on routes between Australia and the United States in the last quarter of the year. Passengers will be able to send and receive text messages via mobile phone and use GPRS devices such as the BlackBerry and Palm Treo.

AeroMobile’s technology entered full commercial operation for the first time last month, when Emirates started offering voice and data services on one of its Airbus A340-300s. The facility will be available soon on an Emirates Boeing 777-300, while Turkish Airlines will introduce it later in the year.