Mobiles on aircraft cleared by Europe
Air companies will be able to allow mobile phone calls on planes flying in European airspace under new European Commission rules.
The first services could launch as early next month, though the European Aviation Safety Agency still needs to give the green-light to hardware enabling such calls to ensure that they do not interfere with other flight systems.
If given, it will be at the discretion of individual airlines whether they will allow passengers to make mobile phone calls.
The EU telecoms commissioner, Viviane Reding, has issued a warning to operators to keep the cost of calls made on planes at an affordable level.
Ms Reding is accustomed to doing battle with mobile phone companies over issues like roaming charges - the fees that network operators charge customers for making calls abroad.
Many industry analysts have voiced concerns that mobiles on planes will disturb passengers and prevent them from enjoying their flights in peace.
Industry News News posted on 08/04/2008 16:09:18