=20 Verizon says canceling in-flight phones Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:08pm ET =20 Email This Article | Print This Article | Reprints=20 [-] Text [+] NEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) - Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ.= N: Quote, Profile, Research) is canceling its in-flight phone service in co= mmercial airplanes, a spokesman said on Monday. The company will end its Airfone service by the end of the year, said spoke= sman Jim Pilcher. The decision affects about 1,000 airplanes operated by Continental Airlines= (CAL.N: Quote, Profile, Research), Delta Air (DALRQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Re= search), US Airways (LCC.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and UAL Corp.'s (UAUA= .O: Quote, Profile, Research) United Airlines, he said. "The decision is based on Verizon Communications's strategy to focus on its= core business, which is broadband, wireline and wireless services," Pilche= r said. Airfone service will remain available for the time being to corporate and g= overnment customers, he said. Verizon employs about 140 people in its Airfone business, most of whom work= in Oak Brook, Illinois. Pilcher said the company has not decided whether t= hey will be laid off or transferred to other positions. "Right now we're exploring all options," he said. The company acquired the business when it bought telephone company GTE in 2= 000. The service costs far more than the prices most people pay to make phone ca= lls on their home phones or mobile phones. Domestic calls cost $3.99 for th= e initial connection and $4.99 per minute. For Verizon Wireless subscribers, the service costs 69 cents per minute, or= 10 cents a minute for subscribers who pay a $10 monthly fee. Verizon shares fell 5 cents, or less than 1 percent, to close at $32.78 on = the New York Stock Exchange.=20 =C2=A9 Reuters 2006. All Rights Reserved. Roger & Amanda La France