It signed a deal earlier this year to source phones from an undisclosed Asian contractor that will work with the carrier's chosen technology, code-division multiple access (CDMA).

FORBES: On The Cover/Top Stories

Virgin Atlantic has a new code share with Russia's second largest carrier Transaero Airlines, which allows travellers to fly direct into Moscow from London on a Virgin issued ticket and connects US cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston and Orlando via London to Moscow.

BBC: The roar of rising Russia

Carriers such as United would be happy with more flights and Japanese destinations, linked to permission to sign a code-sharing (joint marketing) deal with a leading Japanese carrier.

ECONOMIST: Trade and aviation