Air France and Qantas have already run pilot programmes to enable in-flight calls
EU approves in-flight mobile calls
/v3-uk/news/1989783/eu-approves-flight-mobile-calls
08 Apr 2008, Andrew Charlesworth , V3
The European Commission has followed the lead set by Ofcom last month and introduced rules for harmonising the use of mobile phones in aircraft.
However, the technical and licensing rules govern flights only within EU airspace. Unless neighbouring territories fall into line with the Commission, airlines will not be able to offer the service on flights outside the EU.
Mobile carriers and airlines have been lobbying hard for the Commission to approve in-flight calls as a means to generate extra revenue.
Until recently, aviation authorities worldwide have maintained that mobile phone signals from aircraft to conventional cellular base stations on the ground interfere with aircraft navigation and flight-control systems.
But the development of miniature cellular base stations known as picocells means that an aircraft can be fitted with its own base station and use a satellite link for connecting calls with the cellular network, reducing the likelihood of interference.
Some airlines, such as Air France and Qantas, have already run pilot programmes to enable in-flight calls from passengers' mobiles.
The inherent international nature of flight means EU-wide rules were a necessity, according to the Commission.
Pricing of calls from aircraft is not covered by the EU rules and will be left to operators.
However, the Commission has taken a strong interest in lowering roaming charges among EU member countries, and a bluntly worded statement from EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding warned operators not to gouge in-flight callers.
"We expect operators to be transparent and innovative in their price offerings," she said. "If consumers receive shock phone bills, the service will not take-off."
Reding also called on airlines to "create the right conditions onboard aircraft to ensure that those who want to use in-flight communication services do not disturb other passengers".
Given the tightly packed layout of most commercial aircraft, this may prove a challenge. Limiting mobile users to data only, i.e. SMS and internet access, has been suggested as a solution.
© Incisive Media Investments Limited 2010, Published by Incisive Financial Publishing Limited, Haymarket House, 28-29 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4RX, are companies registered in England and Wales with company registration numbers 04252091 & 04252093
Do you agree?
Mobile Calls on Flights
This is going to be hell!!! Bad enough I have to listen to some bimbo on the train (usually shouting to the whole carriage) telling her idiot boyfriend about her dull day on her phone, I'm now going to have to listen to some other annoying idiot going on and on about their dull lives for the duration of a flight! Expect to see 'Airplane' images on flights all over Europe with people setting fire to themselves to escape the boredom!!
Posted by Richard Parker, 10 Apr 2008
Listen Up!
If we here in the USA decide to make this the norm, I would suggest everyone carry HUGE radios with the loudest speakers and blow these folks out of there seats. There is nothing more annoying than a loud cell talker !
Posted by Paul Zimmerman, 08 Apr 2008
in flight phones
the airlines are going to need to install extra lavatories, as anyone who wants privacy for their phone calls will be in there.
I am against low charges. If anybody has a call which is so urgent that they need to make it from the middle of the Ocean, let them pay to cover the inconvenience to other passengers.
Posted by Mr T Mills, 09 Apr 2008
please ban this
I will not listen to 300+ plus people speaking loudly for 16 hours in-flight. (yes they will be speaking loudly, trying to speak over the white-noise of the engines and such)
Posted by needcaffeine, 08 Apr 2008
Just for the almighty EURO? The Dollar next?
Where has just plain old common sense gone?. Give an inch and soon there will be a mile given...and then no turning back. Does the worlds sustainability depend on people being able to text, talk( thats next) while on a 5 or 15 hr flight to somewhere? I doubt it and being connected 24x7 as a human being has its negative consequences. This new twist is all bout making money when most people would just like to read, listen to their music or just have some quiet time when flying.
Posted by Robert Wyrick, 08 Apr 2008
Mobile phones on Flights
No please don't let it happen - public places are bad enough now without adding flights where there is no escape from privacy.
Posted by Derrick, 09 Apr 2008
HELLO, HELLO, I'M IN THE AIR... NO... THE AIR... HELLO...
If you think this is an advancement then try sitting next to someone on a train who spends the whole journey on the damned phone!
Posted by David Lambert, 09 Apr 2008
EU approves in-flight mobile calls.
Those poseurs who consider themselves so important as to need to spend a flight chatting on their mobiles should be sent to make their calls to the outside toilet.
Alternatively, could we please have this facility available only to Business Class passengers, so that they can exchange all of their trade secrets with each other.
Posted by Derek M. Hall, 09 Apr 2008
u.s. has had cell phone access from air since 911
According to the official government 911 story many airline passengers allegedly used their cell phones during the alledged terrorist hijackings on 911. Now we are hearing the technology is just becoming available??? If the passengers were able to use their cell phones on 911 why can't passengers use their cell phones now???
Posted by Kim, 08 Apr 2008