EU approve mobile phone calls on flights
07.04.08
Calls on mobile phones will be allowed on planes flying within European airspace under new EC rules, it was announced today. The decision means that mobiles could be used once a plane has reached an altitude of 3000m or more and follows a 6 month consultation by the European regulator.
The EC has also introduced new rules to harmonise the technical requirements for the safe in-flight use of mobile phones. It 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 fully approved. The European Aviation Safety Agency still needs to approve any hardware that will 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 am also calling on airlines 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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