Calls on mobile phones will be allowed on planes flying within European airspace under new European Commission rules, it was announced today. The decision means that mobiles could be used once a plane has reached an altitude of 3,000m or more and follow six months of consultation by the European regulator and the first services could launch next month.
The European Commission has introduced new rules to harmonise the technical requirements for the safe in-flight use of mobile phones. The commission is also making it possible to enable the national licences granted to individual airlines by a member state to be recognised throughout the EU.
However, there are other regulatory hurdles to overcome before the technology is considered to be fully approved. The European Aviation Safety Agency still needs to approve any hardware that would be installed in aircraft to ensure that it does not interfere with other flight systems.
In addition, Viviane Reding, the EU telecoms commissioner, has warned operators to keep the cost of calls made on planes at a reasonable level. She said: 'If consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take-off. I also call on airlines and operators to create the right conditions on board aircraft to ensure that those who want to use in-flight communication services do not disturb other passengers.'
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