EC Gives Green Light For Mobile Usage On Flights

Wed, 09 Apr 2008

The European Commission (EC) has formally approved the use of mobile phones on aircraft flying in European airspace.

The new ruling follows six months of consultation by the European regulator and the recent announcement by UK telecoms watchdog Ofcom that it would allow the concept of air passengers being able to use their mobile handsets while in the air.

The EC said that 90 per cent of European air passengers that already carry mobiles on planes will be able to receive calls during flights .

However, EU telecoms commissioner Viviane Reding said that certain issues still need to be considered, such as operator pricing plans and conditions to prevent mobile users from disturbing other passengers.

"In-flight mobile phone services can be a very interesting new service especially for those business travellers who need to be ready to communicate wherever they are, wherever they go," she commented.

Reding said the price would be capped for people making calls from the ground and stressed that those calling from the air should not be over charged either.

"We expect operators to be transparent and innovative in their price offerings. If consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take off," she added.

The first service could launch later this year with some airlines such as Air France already trialling the service on some routes.

However, the European Aviation Safety Agency is still required to approve any hardware that would be installed on aircraft to ensure it does not interfere with other systems .

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